Winter Won't Say Goodbye Quietly

Spring snow is so incredibly different than a Winter snow storm. First of all, we expect to see snow in the Winter. Of course! Middle of Winter we know the temperatures are colder and anticipate so see snow.

There are amazing differences when it snows in the Spring from our Winters and not just the expectations. It usually has a little freak flurry early Spring. You can count on an early Spring snow, seems come February we get a "Spring teaser of sunny warm weather". It is almost expected to give us a reminder Winter wants that last little blast to say farewell until it's turn circles back. But to see a big blast of Winter well into April is unheard of, in fact, it is a record setter.

Spring snow storms are not just different than a Winter storm because they don't usually happen or if we see a little flurry it has melted by mid morning. There is a totally different feeling of the Spring snow.

Winter snow storms happen, "in the dead of Winter". The plant life has retreated and many animals have hibernated or burrowed down for the length of frigid temperatures. We call it "the dead of Winter for a reason". Trees are bare, animals can't find food that is buried in snow, they have gathered and hidden it in a natural pantry. We anticipate and prepare for Winter. Winter snow storms can seem peaceful. The natural world has gone down for a long Winter nap, its quiet and serene. Waking up on a Winter morning to have a blanket of white cover the outside world while you can sit inside by a warm fire is peaceful. The soft snow flakes drift peacefully to the forest floor and all is still and quiet. The darkness of Winter days has a soft glow, even at night if the moon reflects a blue tint to the covered grounds of white.

Spring snow has such a different feeling. Nature has already emerged from its nap and is awake! Spring snow is far from peaceful and serene. The soft white fluff is not gently covering the grounds, its is smashing the gentle flowers that have been emerging with bright color and shedding life in the world. Looking out to see all the beautiful colors of Spring flowers that have brought cheer to grounds are almost screaming for help as the snow smashes them down breaking the stems and freezing the bright colors. Birds have been nesting and easily finding food with cheerful Spring life and now awake in a frantic to discover the food source is buried. The eggs laid will freeze if they leave the nest to find food and branches broken in the trees from the weight of the heavy wet snow. The bushes and trees that are filling out with bright green leaves and popping flowers are bent over with the snow trying to smoother the life. The sounds of breaking branches and confused wildlife shed sounds of fear, they have emerged to start new life with Spring only to find a tease of Old Man Winter wants a last slap of good bye.

“Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer.”

– Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

Venturing around the yard after digging out the snow boots and warmer clothing that has been put away for a few months, access the damage of Winters hopefully last joke on us. Spring snows have always been a quick dusting of a surprise and goes away as quick as it came, this time the joke is on us as it is more than a mere dusting. The blanket that covered Spring now for days and every time Spring tries to push back, that Winter wants to win and has a difficult time saying good bye. Hoping, it's little joke has not destroyed the apple blossoms and the trees will not be able to bare fruit this year, or the bulbs that have come up can filter through the cold and find the strength to give us a little more cheer. Nature got a little confused of the calendar and has put a short kibosh

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”― Hal Borland and Some goodbyes are colder than others. Time for you to go Winter make this your last "good bye" until its your turn again.