Have you been noticing the change in light where you live? It’s been so noticeable here, with earlier sunrises and longer light in the afternoons. The weather has remained incredibly mild here to the point where wearing cold weather gear seems like it might soon come to an end.
Usually I greet this time of year whole-heartedly with hope of spring. There is seed planting and basking in the glow of warm afternoon sunlight (when it happens!). It usually brings a shift in my attitude, looking forward to endings and beginnings brought by each season. This year it feels like winter never really began and so instead of yearning toward spring I find myself wanting winter go arrive already! I can’t even get fully into the seed starting that should be happening right now.
I know, I know, many of you detest snow and cold so you just can’t empathize with me on this one. So I’ll hope for you that whatever the shift in light is bringing in your corner of the world that you are finding some joy in it.
I’m with you this year. Though I think for different reasons. I’m trying desperately to ‘live in the moment’ and go day to day but still life seems to be passing by in the blink of an eye. I want everything to slow down so I can embrace winter’s amazing light, the feeling of cold air burning my lungs, and relish the ‘anticipation’ of spring rather than sliding full force into it.
Yes, that anticipation piece is missing for me right now, at least in the way it usually permeates my being. There’s no snow to watch melt away and reveal bulb flowers poking beneath, the robins came at the end of February this year (weeks early!) and we had 26 out of 29 days with above freezing temps in February here, setting a record.
May you be suspended in many beautiful daily moments in the coming season!
Yes, I get you exactly! Last week, on a bright and sunny 50 degree day, I finally convinced my poor muddled brain to give up its winter expectations. (Of course, the next day it snowed!
But it didn’t stick around long.) It does seem silly to complain about the lack of snow and cold weather, when so many people are rejoicing over it. But my girls are finally of an age where we can all go out and actually have a good time in the snow, and so I was actually looking forward to winter this year (all the way up til last week!).
PS What is that beautiful red plant?
I love all the seasons, even winter. And where you live to have no snow is so strange! Doesn’t it make you wonder what the upcoming seasons will be like?
The red plant is a red clover. I’ve managed to keep it alive for several years now and love it.
Yes, I do fear just a bit the things that summer may bring: drought, bugs, heat waves. It’s been in the 80s(!!) the last two days, and our crocuses, which bloomed so early that I feared they’d die of frost, have now wilted from the heat. Highly unusual, to say the least!
I could skip winter altogether. But, if winter is coming I want the freezing cold with snow. If its just chilly, wet and no snow, well it just not as fun. It was quite warm here today though and I’m yearning for complete spring warmth for hours and hours spent outside.
Yes, if it is winter let it be *winter*! You’ve lived in so many different places it must be interesting to see what winter is like, as well as the other seasons, in each place.
[...] come. There are blue skies today, the sun is shining and we’re supposed to hit at least 60. While I have lamented the lack of winter in these parts, I am going to relish this glimpse of spring today. I’ve been holed up in my house with a few [...]