Recently in Weather Category

Not every day has a moment of intense beauty. Today had several.

My commute takes me past Lake Johanna in the morning. Today the mist was rising off the water. It wasn't 18 inches off the water it was hanging 10 - 15 feet off the water. The sun was streaming down, the mist nuzzling and caressing the water and the big fluffy clouds were floating overheard; it was stunning. I didn't want to continue the commute, I wanted to sit and stay until the moment was gone.

Then while taking my usual walk around Langton Lake a co-worker pointed out a Pileated woodpecker. The bird looked huge as they all do. I've seen them before but I don't think I've seen them in the metro area. It was a pleasure to see something so wild and beautiful on my walk in a city park.

BTW, I was amused that MS Word would like to change "pileated" to pleated. A "pleated woodpecker" now that would be something to see.

Combine those sightings with my favorite kind of crisp fall weather and perhaps it wasn't such a bad day after all.

For the second day in a row, I went for a post-lunch stroll without a jacket. Not only were the birds singing, but I saw the first sun bather of the season. Spring has finally arrived in Minnesota.

I love the feeling of the warm sun and wind on my face. While the last winter wasn't especially brutal, when you live with the cold, the overcast, and the darkness for so long, spring is especially appreciated. Winter has its own beauty, but to me it doesn't compare to the joys of being outside without the layers and the bulk. I love seeing the birds and ducks returning to Minnesota.

Reminds me of what my son said to me when he was just three. He had been entranced by the geese migrating south for the previous winter. In the spring when we saw a flock of geese landing in the stubble of a corn field near our house he said "Seeing these geese is like a present to me." He was right, spring and everything that goes with it is a gift.

Spring is reconciliation, hope, laughter, and dreams and all of it is a gift.

So while Monica blogs about the riotous daffodils in London, I was greeted by the most beautiful snowfall of the year. The snow coated every branch of every tree like some artist had carefully applied fondant to a gingerbread scene. It was so warm most of the snow on the branches was gone by noon, but it was gorgeous while it lasted.

On many occasions I have sped through forests where every corner revealed a scene like the one in the photos above. In my mind, there is very little better than driving through snow covered woods, knowing you have a crackling fire, a soft bed, and someone you desire waiting for you at your destination.

No one worries about making a fashion statement if you are simply trying to keep warm.

It's been a cold weekend. Right now it's a balmy 0° F (-17° C). The only nice thing about these cold days is no on looks askance if you walk around looking like a thug in a crime sketch.

We have a couple of inches on the ground and it's still coming down pretty good. Unfortunately, this made for horrendous trafic this morning. On top of a slow commute, my Saturn decided to turn on it's "Check Engine NOW" light followed by my heater not working. Having no heater wasn't a big problem, except the defrost was important as I was stuck in traffic and my window was completely fogged up. I would be less irritated except some ninny hit me in a parking lot on Sunday and I have the extra task of dealing with insurance and auto body repair. On top of it all company will be at my house Thursday - Saturday. I'm feeling a bit stressed.