Ice Out

As I mentioned in my last post, while it SEEMS we are quite far behind last year in terms of Spring getting started, we really aren't.  The ice is out, only 4 days behind last year.  Now, we do still have a small pile of snow in the front, and there is still some in the deep bush, that is only because of the vast amount we received this year.

 

I took a hike through the bush last week and was struck by how quickly everything changes once the snow is gone (or almost gone).  The air was permeated with the smell of wild leeks sprouting and the sound of ephemeral streams.

 

 

 

Onward Spring!

Not By Much

Everyone is talking about how late of a Spring we are having.  To be honest, it  FEELS different, but when I look back through the weather book I see it isn't much different.

 

April 23 and 24 of 2012 saw snow, as did April 20 - 25 of 2013.  Granted, 2012 was a weird year, and we already had trilliums blooming by now, but snow this late in the season is not uncommon.

 

The ice on the lake is still holding strong, but I imagine it will start to break up soon  It just started turning black today, but is open in the smaller bays.  Last year the ice was out April 25.

 

We are all looking forward to warmer days ahead.

 

 

 

 

Same

At the moment it is pouring rain outside.  It' a dull and dreary day, and I don't mind it one bit.

 

Why?  Because it's something different.  We have had endless strings of gorgeous, sparkling days, but enough is enough.  This winter and early spring I have learned that, while beautiful, the same weather day after day gets monotonous.  Boring.  It seemed we were stuck in a rut of winter.

 

I crave the change in seasons.  It is so nice to see the great wheels of the seasons turning once again as we creep ever closer to warm weather.

 

 

Solstice

The winter solstice is upon us, which means today is the shortest day of the year.  From here, the days lengthen, the light changes and the earth begins the slow creep toward spring, though today is the fist day of winter.

 

What a different year it has been for early winter weather.  In both 2011 and 2012, we had open water on the lake this time of year.  The snowfall has been unbelievable and the temperatures have plummeted.  We will have a warm up for Christmas it seems, but the snow will remain, with much more in the forecast.

 

 

From the Weather Book

February 26
- snow, snow, snow

March 1
- in like a lamb

March 3
- light snow

March 5
- sun!

March 9
- mild, sun
- clocks back

March 10
- light rain
- mild
- slush on lake

March 11
- rain

March 13
- snow, squalls in the evening

March 14
- clear, cold & sunny

March 19
- snowy all day

March 20
- first day of Spring

March 23
- mild, sunny
- light snow in the late afternoon & early evening

March 24
- mild, sunny
- still lots of snow!

Spring in Ontario - A Test

Answer the following questions as "yes" or "no".

1.  Is there snow on the ground?
2.  Is it snowing right now?
3.  Has it snowed in the past 3 days?
4.  Is it forecasted to snow in the next 3 days?
5.  Is the temperature hovering between -5 and 0?
6.  Is it forecasted to warm up in the next 10 days?

If you have answered "yes" to one or more of the preceding questions, congratulations, you are indeed experiencing Spring in Ontario.

You may stop complaining now.


To cheer you up - something to look forward to.

Normal

What is normal anyway?

 

Today I'm talking specifically about the weather.  As I was saying in my last post, it's cold again.  Snow is flying and spring is seemingly far away.

 

I'm not complaining, but others are.

 

We were spoiled last year by an extremely early spring.  This time last year, temperatures were already in the teens.  By the end of March we were having consistent mid-20 degree weather.  That's certainly not normal.

 

The warm and early spring stretched into a summer that was long and very dry.  It didn't really rain much at all during July.  We had trees turning brown in late August.  The spring and summer months put a considerable stress on the natural environment.

 

In my un-expert opinion, I think the longer it stays cooler this year, the better.  The trees and other plants need time to rest after the difficult growing season of last year.

 

I'll take a longer winter if it might mean a lusher more vibrant and healthy summer.

It's Back!

Winter, that is.  With just days left before the first official day of spring, we are enjoying a (hopefully) final blast of winter.  Clear, blue, January-like skies, cold temperatures and plenty of new snow, but the sun holds the unmistakable warmth of March.



Beautiful blue over a still white Maple Lake.

Rain, Rain...

...stay while.

 

We woke up yesterday to a sky threatening rain, but it never came.  Today, though has been a different story.  Rain all day.

 

I like it.

 

It washes away the grit and grime that slowly accumulates over winter.  It decimates mile high snowbanks.  It makes puddles that are irresistible to little boys.

 

 

 

 

It makes me crave reading certain books.  It makes me look inward and slow down.

 

Yes, the rain can stay, and the snow can go - although I'm certain we haven't seen the  last of the white stuff just yet.

Spring Forward

Melting snow, mud and turning the clocks ahead are all simple reminders that the first day of spring is only two weeks away.

Hope you are outside enjoying this lovely day!

In the Air

I felt it. 

Today the light was different.  The great wheels are turning once again, bringing us ever closer to Spring.

It`s still a ways off, but it`s creeping in the corners.  In the fresher winds, in the stonger sun, and the longer days.

Quiet

Light snow fell gently and quietly all day today.  I love days like today.  The earth is winding down for winter's sleep.  I've written about my feelings on winter before, and I am continually surprised at how much they have changed since we've moved here.

I truly despised winter when we lived farther south.  But it's different here.

Quiet, still, peaceful.

Winter brings out a beauty that all the other seasons just can't hold a candle to.

I am so looking forward to snowy days and nights, the woods blanketed in a shimmering silence.

Changes

The sunrise is once again perfectly positioned to give us glorious shows every morning.  The sunrises over Maple Lake are at their best in the late fall and winter months.

Throughout the Spring and Summer, the sun tracks south along the eastern shore of the lake.  When the seasons start to turn again, the sun tracks north once again. 

It's now positioned in the northeast corner, which provides and optimal vantage point for us in terms of the amount of sky the bright morning illuminates.  The best sunrises are in the winter.

"Then Labor Day came and went...

...and we shed what was left of our summer skin."

Fall isn't here yet, but it's in the air. 

It's in the quiet, calm waters of Maple Lake.  It's in the wood smoke in the air in the evening.  It's in the absolute absence of any other human made noise, and of course it's in the first turned leaves.

Autumn doesn't officially arrive until September 22nd, but I'm still welcoming these early signs with wide open arms.

Title lyrics from "Summer Skin" - Death Cab for Cutie