It's Winter with a Touch of Spring...

Now doesn't that headline sound like some marketing garble. Well, it's true. Winter forced his way back on to my life by dumping 3 inches of snow on my front lawn on Saturday night. Never mind that it is mostly melted. And the weather report says we are to get more on Wednesday. I think the Wednesday stuff must be part of the blizzard happening in North Dakota.

The good thing is that the air feels warm. I know that that sounds weird. It is 34 degrees. But it feels and smells warmer than February did.

I tried to get into the sewing room this weekend, but gave up. I shampooed the carpets in my bedroom and the hall instead. I know that isn't a creative thing to do, but it is something that needed to be done. I did shampoo about 2 foot into the sewing room. Does that count?

My goal for the month of April to clean up the sewing room. It has become a dumping ground. I would like to get in there and do some sewing. I have a very neat jacket pattern that will be perfect for when the weather is warmer. I also have the parson stool to finish reupholstering, a quilt that needs me to order the stitching pattern for the borders, and a pile of mending.

I think I need to establish the 15 minute rule again. You spend 15 minutes a night working at the project. You'd be surprised how much you get done.

Spring by any other name...

In most parts of the country, today would be a winter's day. It is 40 degrees with a 15 mile-an-hour wind coming off Lake Michigan. It's that damp cold that goes to the bones. Rain is marching in. I got an email from one of my local gardener friends reminding me that this time last year we were shoveling more than 12 inches of snow.

But it is Spring. Some iris rhizomes that I had dumped in the wine barrel next to garage last autumn have little green things poking out. The lawn has this hint of green under the brown. The first of the migrating birds are stuffing themselves at my bird feeders.

But how I really know it is spring--the days are longer than 12 hours of daylight. This morning's sunrise over the lake started at 6:50 (I see that from my kitchen window -- the sunrise, not the lake) and sunset (we won't see it today because of clouds) will be at 7:09.

Light really does say that winter is receding.

Spring is coming!!

Red-breasted robin
First to dance in my dead grass.
Today is bursting spring

I saw my first robin yesterday. Certainly a harbinger of spring if there ever was one. I also saw an osprey. At this time of year, ospreys are making their way up to Lake Superior.

Yesterday was glorious. I had to be inside all day, but it was still nice to know that it was in the low 70's and sunny. Gary had the house open to the fresh air and the cats were running from window to window to catch the different smells.

Today is cooler, but Mother Nature let us know yesterday that Ole Man Winter is on his way out.

Ten "T"s -- Assignment from Linda O

I asked and she parsed. I got a "T". You are to think of ten things that begin with your letter and say what they mean to you. I did not accept the obvious and did not put "ten" on my list.

Tea—a drink, a special time of day to relax, a ritual. When I work at home, Gary and I stop for tea at 4 pm.

Tulips — a much needed harbinger of spring. Here in Wisconsin we are hungry for Spring. There was snow again last night.

Taxes—done for this year. I’m getting money back, but it is already spent. At least it is income instead of outgo!

Thursday—one of my favorite days. I’m not sure why, but I like the name.

Thunder— rain storms, lightning and thunder. I love thunder and lightning. I especially enjoy the duo in the middle of the night. I lie snug in my bed and watch the light show on my walls. And then count…one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi…one second for each mile from where the lightning struck, and then boom!

Talisker—single Malt smooth, complex, smokey. Created on the Isle of Skye (the only distillery on the island). A favorite of that famous Scot, Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote "The king o'drinks as I conceive it, Talisker, Isla or Glenlivet" (The Scotsman's Return from Abroad, 1880).

Trane—as in Blue Trane by John Coltrane. Nothing more needs to be said, just as this music needs nothing more. Complete as it is.

Trek—as in Star Trek. Yep, I’m one of those.

Technical Writing—my chosen profession. A set of skills and experiences that defines my professional life.

Two—for Gary and me. We make a good two.