Such a strange winter in Manitoba, and now an even stranger spring. We had very little extremely cold weather (cause for celebration!!!) and very little snow. I'm not complaining (although the snowmobilers in the family would totally disagree!) it was a truly wonderful winter for most of us. However..... one has to wonder about the weirdness of it all.
And here's more weirdness.... it appears that spring has arrived!! Note that I said 'appears', I am aware that I may be forced to eat those words, but even if the weather returns to a normal March (cold, stormy and very unpredictable) no one can take back these super gorgeous days we are now enjoying. And enjoying them - are we EVER!!! After spending the last few hours 'out & about', I gotta say....There is nothing but smiles out there!! Every single person I met was covered in smiles and good cheer from top to bottom. Not a frown to be found! Honestly... it's true!!
I realize that you ex-Manitobans will probably require some proof of this crazy story, so I'm providing a couple of photos taken yesterday morning. While I was taking these pictures, here's what I was wearing, well, not wearing I guess would be more appropriate:
I was NOT wearing mitts, boots, long underwear, ski pants, a hat, hood or parka. My jacket was not zipped up and for the first time in months, I was able to manage all the bells and whistles on my camera in a completely glove-free mode! My jacket was hanging open, the sun was shining in and warming my pasty white skin, and my hair was set free to blow in the wind, leaving my ears exposed and slightly surprised, but eventually warmed as well.
It was miraculous!!
And the reason it is nothing short of a miracle is because the date was MARCH 16. Not April 16, or May 16, either date would have been no cause for concern or alarm. Last year, I am sure I was still winter-clothed on June 16..... and no! Not kidding!!
To sum up... I have just returned from a 3 hour discourse on the weather with numerous local folks. (See previous posting on our Favourite Prairie Passtime if you are wondering why that would take 3 hours.) It's vital that we determine why this is happening and the conclusion seems to be a split decision:
Half of the population believes we will have to "Pay For This", translated that means: a storm of Terrible Proportions (records will be broken) will unleash it's wrath on those of us who are presently enjoying this weather blessing so we had better watch our backs and hunker down.
The other half, of which I am proudly a member, believes that we have earned this wonderful warm, early, beautiful spring by suffering through previous years when it would have been impossible to even determine that spring happened! How many times have we endured a 'winter slowdown', instead of spring, followed by immediate and unrelenting boiling hot summer days? Well ....I wouldn't try to count, even if I could remember!
So this year, we're lovin' the weirdness, and thank you very much! We'll take it!
Oh and one more happy thought... the GEESE ARE BACK....!!! I spotted 2 small flocks of the Greater Canada geese on Monday, March 15. You might be thinking that's early too, but not really.... Last year, they arrived on March 16 and in 2008 it was March 20. Amazing how close they are, isn't it? Do you think it would be remotely possible for any of us humans to calculate a trip like that and arrive within a week of the previous year - without a watch or a calender? I think not!
Here's the fabulous photo I took as the first flock flew over ....
Yeah... no picture. What sort of photographer doesn't always carry her camera with her??? The sort that I am, I guess....
Anyway, thanks for checking in for this week, here's my pics:
Which tool to use? Shovel or rake? Too soon to put away the shovel? Too early to take out the rake?
Such a gorgeous day!!
Tried to catch the look on Bruno's face as he sunk through the ice when he wasn't expecting it. Big tough boy, doesn't like cold feet!
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