Gloom and bloom

The bad news is that it looks like we’re expecting some more foul weather, but the good news is that the precipitation is going to be in liquid form for a change.

It’s not going to feel spring-like right away, but there are signs, clear signs, that we’re warming up.

I’ve walked the same two mile route every day for seven years. It’s probably been about a thousand rounds trips; I could be in Nebraska by now. Even though most of the time I’m so far into my own world that I’m not paying attention to what’s going on around me, there are a few cues I’ve come to recognize and look forward to that signal the change of seasons.

One of my favorite sights on the circuit is two weeping beech trees underplanted with hundreds of snowdrops and crocus that always start to bloom a little earlier than everything else. While I’m on those bracing cold and wet daily walks I’m going to be counting on them to remind me that winter has to loosen her grip sooner or later.