Sunday, March 13, 2011

Out of My Rear Window 3/13/11

It's a pewter gray day today.  We have had a couple of day of thaw, so, as you can see, a lot of the snow has melted.  Unfortunately, that hasn't left the prettiest of scenes behind.  No green grass here yet, just brown leftovers from last year.
The view out of the front window shows the great clods of sod that my plow guy has dug up.  They're all along the driveway, not just out front.  I have to get those put down again, before they dry out.  But, I don't want to do that too soon, or else he'll just dig them up again during the next snow.
Since watching those of you further South, I have been amazed at the speed and strength with which Spring comes there.  It seems like, one week, you are in Winter, and the snow is flying.  Then, a couple of weeks later, the temperatures are in the 60's and 70's, Spring has arrived and things are beginning to flower.

Here things are much different.  It's a long battle between the two seasons.  One day, you swear that Winter will never end, but, in a couple of days, it warms up enough for the snow to melt and you have hope that Spring will be coming.  Back and forth, back and forth it goes, until, finally Spring wins out.   That'll be a while yet.  The weatherman last night mentioned that the average amount of snow we get in the month of April is over five inches.

So, March, in particular, is the time of the dirty browns.  I did start the yard cleanup last week, racking up under the bird feeders and under the big Linden tree in the front yard.  But, that will be a long, slow process, carried out on the intermittent good days.

But, there was one very bright spot this morning.  The turkey ladies came to visit.  I haven't seen them since the middle of February, so I was very glad to see all five ladies again, safe and sound.  I wonder why they don't visit my feeder more often?
I really hope that's a dead leaf and not a fresh turd of some kind, by this lady's head.  It's so dark and dreary today that the beautiful iridescent colors of their feathers are extinguished.
All in all, I think I'll be joining the cats for a nice long nap this afternoon.


16 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

I think I'd have a hard time with the on again/off again springtime you have. I'd get my hopes up each time it'd melt off and warm up, only to have my hopes dashed after several inches of snow again. We have a bit of that, but it's truly much more of a quick light switch than a long drawn out battle of on/off.

Love those turkey ladies. Glad they're all doing well and continuing to come by - even if not very often.

Sharon said...

I opened your page and said "WOW", maybe the extra snow will not come and things will be more Springy for you!

Kind of a mess with your sod. Does this happen every year?

It is nice to see the turkey ladies all together, it would be sad if they didn't all show up, but then, maybe they will find fellows... with Spring in the air!

Have a good day and enjoy your nap!

BlueRidge Boomer said...

Just when we thought Spring was here.....the weather gurus are calling for snow Tuesday...!!

Enjoy

ps.....i hope it's a leaf too....

Jacqueline Donnelly said...

Actually, Louise, there's quite a bit of green out there in your backyard. Mine here in Saratoga is still several feet deep in snow.

Vicki Lane said...

Those dirty browns are dispiriting, indeed. But how nice to see the turkey ladies.

Dawn said...

I so know the feeling of Spring coming...and then- nope....it's snowing today! It's like spring plays cat and mouse with us!!!
Amazing you have turkeys like that! What company:)

Janet said...

Those turkey ladies are certainly a lovely colourful bunch of gals ! got a surprise when I clicked on to your post -no snow ! enjoy your nap !

Jim said...

This could be here, Louise! Very similar conditions....minus the 'ladies' of course! We were 'cleaning up' a bit in the garden today....10 degrees C. Not bad at all.

My Mind's Eye said...

We are thrilled to see ground instead of snow...even if it isn't green yet.

Mom and I love your yellow and green fire hydrant.
It is 77 here today...tomorrow it will only reach 55 and will be raining...welcome to NC if you don't like our weather waith 5 min and it will change.
Hugs Madi

Unknown said...

We're still gettin' the snow here in Michigan. No sign of sping just yet.

I know what you meen with the plow guys. I have a fire hydrant in my front yard and the fire department comes and scapes a path to it every couple of weeks throughout the winter. I can't wait to see it when the snow is gone.

fromsophiesview said...

Yeah snow's gone!Everything will start to green up now.

Terry said...

I'm always happy to see your turkey ladies.

KB said...

I love the Ladies!!!!

Your yard looks SO different all of a sudden. Your musing about the fight between spring and winter made me look up our average snowfall for April and for May - it's 30" each month! I never realized that. Oh my... I guess that we have a fight between the seasons underway too!

Sandy ~~~ said...

Ahhh, a nap sounds good right around now too!

WiseAcre said...

That beautiful-ugly ground is starting to appear in my front yard. Mud season is about to begin :)

I haven't seen the turkeys out back in a while but their tracks in the snow are fresh.

I'll respond here to the comment you left:
That neighbor is one of the biggest jerks around and has already refused permission because I'm a friend with another neighbor he dislikes.

Rebekah said...

It looks about the same here ... brownish grey.
Those are amazing birds! How cool to be able to watch them from your window!