I have had it!
Winter, you have got to take your leave. You are making everyone around here sick, and I won't stand for it anymore!
But, you're only doing your job, you say? Pfft......
I say quit that job and move on to something warmer. No one likes you around here. Well, except maybe the ice fisherman, but hey. They would get over it if you never came around again. Of course, they'd have to buy boats if they wanted to fish, but that's really no concern of mine.
I only want to be warm again. I want to see green grass again. I want my dogs to go outside and do their business out there again.
Don't laugh, Winter. It's not funny. The little chi-chi's feet freeze instantly and he refuses to go out. He instead, hikes his leg on the legs of the dining room table. Or worse, the cat.
It's not funny, Winter! Stop laughing!
I'm warning you, Winter. If you don't start making your way out of this area soon, I'll.......I'll.........I'll I don't know what, but you won't like it. I swear.
Oh hell. I have to go. Chi-chi just peed in my plant.
Damn you, Winter!
Winter is a Bad Word
Dear Winter
Let me start off by saying I don't mean to be rude. I'm just not a rude person, usually. But, I think it's time I let you know just exactly how I feel about you. Now, don't take this the wrong way. I'm sure you're perfectly wonderful in your own right. Maybe it's just me.
I do not like you. It may sound harsh, putting it that way, but I can think of no other way to put it. I've said it, and now you know so there's no reason for you to stick around any longer. I mean, I guess I used to like you a little bit when I was a kid. I do remember having fun sledding down the big hill behind our house after a good snowfall.
Yeah, that was fun.
But, now I don't sled. I'm too old. And the cold makes my joints ache. The thought of going outside in this weather makes me want to cower in the corner, whimpering, until Spring.
Now, don't read anything into that last statement. This does not mean I like Spring any more than I like you. I have issues with Spring as well. It's too rainy for one. And while it's still cold, it's warmer than you, Winter. Spring does bring about beautiful flowers, and I do like that, so. I guess I do like Spring a little more than you.
So, you can go now. I don't see any reason for you to stay, since we cannot be friends. It's just not going to work out. I hope you understand.
It's not you. It's me.
well, actually it's you. So please go.
It's a (Dangerous) Winter Wonderland Outside
This winter has been a doozy, to say the least. We've had tons of snow, and lots of cold, cold weather. It's also been a strange one. We'll get feet of snow for a week straight, then the next week will be above freezing and everything melts, only to start over again the next week with the snow and cold. You just never know what you're going to get here in Wisconsin!
A couple of days ago, we got another somewhat warm snap for a day that brought about melting snow and freezing rain. As soon as the freezing rain stopped, the temperatures dropped and the ice stayed. The roads were literal skating rinks, with not-so-smart drivers venturing out only to end up in the ditch. The plows were out, but there's only so much you can do with ice when it won't melt. Salt does little more than add to the problem, as whatever melts refreezes.
Our driveway is super slick and shiny. While it is pretty, and as a kid I'd probably try my hand at skating on it, it is a major problem right now. Mike has almost hit the garage on two occasions, because brakes on vehicles have nothing on a driveway covered in ice. Salt isn't melting it, it's too cold. You just get in your car, put her in drive, and hope for the best. It's a crap shoot every time.
The backyard where the dogs go outside is just as slick. Our yard slopes away from the house at a slight angle, and the snow is frozen solid, shiny. The dogs go out and slide until they hit something that catches them. It's quite comical actually, but I am afraid they are going to hurt themselves. You can just see them digging their toenails into the ice to climb back up to the door. I'd shovel, but there again, it's frozen solid.
The kids tried sledding on the solid ice/snow. They were able to go from the back door all the way to the neighbor's adjoining yard without even pushing. They, at least, have found a use for the stuff!
So, this morning, the sun is out, but I doubt it's doing any good to melt the evil ice that has taken over our neighborhood. Since the temperature is only in the single digits, the ice has the upper hand. I wonder when we'll see normal ground again? Something a little less shiny, please.
Spring?
Today is April 28th, and believe it or not, it is snowing! Snowing, I tell you! The ground is covered, and it's still poking it down! It's only 31º, and downright cold!
What happened to Spring? My daffodils and tulips say it's Spring, but I don't believe them. They are out there shivering on their stems, covered in a layer of snow, trying to brave the cold.
Timothy actually got his winter coat out of the closet this morning to wear to school. I couldn't convince the other two to wear theirs, though. I bet they're cold. Right now, they are probably thinking that I was right, although I'm sure they'll never admit it.
Will It Ever End?
Of course, I'm talking about winter. I can't remember the last time we had a winter like this. I know Wisconsin in known for it's winters, but seriously, we haven't had a winter with this much snow and cold temperatures in years! The county department is even suffering. They base their budgets for plows, salt, and whatnot on previous years' weather. Because of this, they've run out of resources for this year. They aren't salting the roads anymore, except for the intersections, and instead of plowing throughout the duration of a storm, they wait until the snow stops before they come out to plow. All of this makes for some really slick roadways around here.
The kids are even having a hard time. I'm finding it harder and harder to get them up for school in the mornings. It's hard to get motivated when you know it's freezing outside and you can't get out in the sunshine.
We have a local greenhouse here that posts a sign in the front of their shop that counts down the days to spring. That's when they open, also. Every time we pass that sign, I swear the number goes up instead of going down!
Supposedly, the groundhog didn't see his shadow this year, meaning spring is just around the corner. For goodness sakes, I hope he's right!
