The excitement for winter that bubbled in my spirit even just two short weeks ago has burst. Carole’s invitation to list Ten Reasons Why I am Ready for Winter to be Over couldn’t be more timely!
1. Mud. Okay, it’s part of spring, too, but at least in spring a little afternoon sunshine sucks some of the moisture out of the mud. Just last night when I took out the dogs, my rain boots were caked in mud. Caked, I tell you!
2. Snow. I love snow. Love. I was giddy to have a blizzard on my birthday. Now, though, the snow is just junky, not even ski-able. If I can’t play in it, I would rather not look at it.
3. Closed Windows. The first day we get in the mid to upper 40s, I’m opening all the windows and airing out the house.
4. Food. The first few months of roasted squash, kale salads, and hot cereal are fantastic. Now I want fresh asparagus, barely steamed. I want garlic scapes. I want farm-fresh produce and local fruit.
5. Buds. Is there anything more happy-making than seeing the lilac buds grow bigger? Probably, but they do make me darn happy!
6. Peonies. I adore seeing the purple shoots emerge from the dirt. They are one of my favorite flowers and lovely harbingers of warm weather.
7. Birds. We keep a bird feeder on the weeping cherry that fills our living room view. This time of year, the variety is slim. I can’t wait for the hummingbirds to start jetting around again.
8. Bikes. I ride the inside bike. It is not the same, though. No, it is not even close to the fun factor that a bike on the road provides.
9. Porch Time. Neal spent last summer putting up an enclosed porch. There is finishing work to be done, but as soon as winter is over, I can start enjoying it. After a year sans deck, I’m eager to have a nice spot to sit, read, knit, write, weave, crochet, chat, and sip wine.
10. Light. I’ve been driving Neal to the bus stop, and it’s lovely to go out at 6:30 into the light. I enjoy driving home from work in the light, too.
It’s clear that I am DONE with winter. I’m ready for pastels and dainty things. Down with hunkering! Up with fresh air!
Me. Too.
(at first I typo’d that as meh too. Maybe I should have left it that way.)
Our lists are quite similar, no surprise there. I can’t wait to see my first red winged blackbird!
Ditto to all of this! I miss you and can’t wait to hang out!!!
If you lived in the Northwest, that list would have rain on it. Because we get, um, a lot. And snow would not be on the list because as you know from my constant whining about it, we’ve not had any. But as I walk around my neighborhood I see croci and daffodils popping up all over, so spring is near!
Oh so true. Though mud is the reality of our winter, more so than spring really. With our altitude most snowfalls melts before the next one comes along. It drove me nuts going through those muddy periods all winter long when I first moved here. But in some ways it is nice to be rid of the dirty, crusty stuff before spring.