Snow yesterday….
You can’t get mad at weather because weather’s not about you.
-Douglas Coupland
Two days ago, it snowed. Yeah, in April, it snowed. News feeds said there were places in Massachusetts that had 9 inches of accumulation. Christine said she got 6 inches in Holden. When Waldo and I got out for our morning constitutional, there was a good inch of white slushy stuff covering everything. No ice, though. The temperature was around 32℉.
By the mid-afternoon, when we went for our rail trail walk, the temperature had risen to the mid to high 30s. The snow had stopped, the sky remained overcast and there was a thin mist that coated my coat with a sheen of wet. Snow still covered most of the ground off-trail, but it was all gone on the tarmac. The wildflower seedlings were all covered with the white stuff and I worried they might not survive. But, come on, they are wildflowers and must have evolved to deal with that kind of thing. Snow in April, around here, is not unheard of and there was no hard freeze, with frozen ground and ice. So, I think, there’s a good chance they’ll be okay. Needless to say, I was wearing my parka that day. Waldo seemed to enjoy the temperature and the fact there were no bicycles out and about.
The next day, it was still overcast, but the temperature had risen to between the high 30s and the low 40s. The snow was all gone, except for a few small patches here and there. The ground was wet and water gurgled and tinkled in the ditches and creeks next to the trail. I left my parka at home to prevent getting too sweaty, but I still wore my rain pants and rain jacket over a light coat as wind breakers. Waldo was still in his element, but a little anxious as one or two bicycles passed us. A clear sign of warming weather. The sprouts were still there and pretty much unchanged. Someone had come along and planted a few flowers in the Covid garden, which was nice to see. When snow hits around here in April, it doesn’t last long and life continues to waken from its deep winter sleep. The buds on the oaks and maples are slowly growing and there are now several plants, like the multiflora rose, that have well developed, although still small, leaves growing along their branches. Clumps of skunk cabbage are growing along the ditches and ponds. Their leaves are huge when mature, but still the size of the palm of your hand.
Today, you’d think it was early summer, with temps of 68℉! The skies are mostly blue and there is only a slight breeze. I’m in shirtsleeves, with the cuffs rolled up to above the elbow, and I’m still working up a sweat. Waldo is walking along with his tongue dragging on the ground and, of course, there are a number of bikes to deal with. Even though it is early afternoon on a Monday, we pass quite a few people out here, walking. Many are too young to be retired, I would think, and it makes me wonder how they can be out here. I never could when I was working. Oh well, I’m too old to be jealous about what my past was like.
The squirrels are out and chasing each other around. Rabbits can be seen grazing and pooping. Many birds are singing and telling the world what a great day it is. I hear no Emmy birds yet. They don’t show up until late spring to early summer. I do hear a number of bird calls that I recognize, but can’t associate with any particular kind of bird. I look in the direction that I hear the tweets and whistles coming from, but can’t see any bird. They’re good at hiding in the shrubbery. I would like to take a class in ornithology that would teach me how to associate what I hear with who is singing, but the opportunity has not yet arisen. There are apps for that, of course, but I haven’t invested in one yet. There are a few birdcalls I recognize, like crows and pigeons, but there are so many others. Maybe one day…
Waldo seems to be as curious about what he smells as I am about what I see and hear. He’s off looking at the world through his nose. In the past, he always had a stick in his mouth, but not so much anymore. I think they used to be his version of a security blanket. Maybe he’s mellowed as he’s gotten older and doesn’t need them so much. Or maybe he has just become so familiar with being out here that isn’t as threatening anymore. They say familiarity breeds contempt, but not for Waldo. The more he walks this trail, the more he loves it.
How many places in the world allow one to experience winter, spring and summer all within 3 days? I’m sure there are others beside New England, but it is characteristic of here. Like Mark Twain said, “If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.”
Or you could be like Waldo and me and just enjoy the variety.
…gone today.