It does feel like winter today. The temperature is floating around the freezing point and there is a healthy wind blowing making it seem even colder. Even my four dogs do not want to stay out too long in the yard. Tomorrow is supposed to be more of this, then it warms up again. When I woke up, there was a layer of snow on the ground but it was gone by the afternoon. Spring is getting closer. In a few days it will be March. All of that does not matter. All I want to do today is to stay in. It is just too cold.
Tags: cold, dogs, freezing temperature, March, pets, seasons, snow, spring, wind, wind blowing, winter
Posted in local, nature, pets, seasons, time |
The winter was perfect for the primrose. It was so mild the primrose never died and flowered throughout the whole winter. In the past there were seasons it bloomed twice–early spring and fall. Not this season. It bloomed throughout the whole winter and it appears it will continue through the spring. At least through early spring. It likes cold weather, but not warm weather. I have never seen the primrose do this. This indicates how mild the winter was this year. Usually an extended freeze kills it and then it comes up, again, the following spring. Just about every plant in the bed either has buds or is flowering.
Tags: bloom, buds, cold weather, flowers, mild winter, primrose, primrose bloomed all winter, seasons, spring, warm weather, winter
Posted in beauty, flowers, local, nature, seasons, time |
I made my first definite sighting of a hummingbird since I put out new nectar a few days ago. In fact, it did not feed on the nectar but was attracted to the pink fuchsia flowers from a plant hanging only several feet from my feeder. I was thrilled one was still in the area. I did not think any more were. There were several times I thought I spotted one but this was the first time I was sure. Let us see if it comes back. Most have migrated. It is a straggler. It is already in the first week of September. They have a long journey to make.
Tags: bird feeding, bird-watching, birds, Fall, flowers, hummingbird, long journey, migrate, nectar, pink fuchsia, plants, seasons, September
Posted in beauty, birds, local, nature, seasons, time |
I put out my last nectar of the season for the hummingbirds. I have not seen one in a day or two. Fall has come and they might have all migrated. I will see if there are any more stragglers. There might be one or two that are delaying their journey south.
Tags: bird feeding, bird-watching, birds, Fall, hummingbirds, journey south, migrate, nectar, seasons
Posted in birds, local, nature, seasons, time |
They could have been swallows. I saw dozens alight on that wire and swirl above. I never saw swallows migrate before. It was early morning and they were over a mile away from water. If I had to guess, they were cliff swallows. I spotted them going through the “back way” into town. I was surprised to see them. Now is the time I usually see flocks of small blackbirds come through. I still saw a hummingbird feed on my nectar today. At least one has not decided to migrate. Temperatures have fallen–the seventies. Summer does not end for another three weeks. There is no doubt Autumn has come already.
Tags: autumn, bird feeder, bird-watching, birds, blackbirds, cliff swallow, early morning, flock of birds, flocks, hummingbird, migrate, nectar, seasons, summer, swallows, town, water
Posted in birds, local, nature, seasons, time |
Summer feels like it is done. September is in a few days. It is wet and cold–the fringe of the hurricane Irene. Central Pennsylvania did not get hit hard. I realized I was cold in my shorts and tee shirt. It was time to put long pants on as well as long sleeved shirts. I won’t put away my shorts (away???) yet but it won’t be long until they are stored away for another year. We still have some hummingbirds coming to our feeder but not as many. Autumn is around the bend.
Tags: August, autumn, bird feeder, bird-watching, birds, hummingbirds, hurricane Irene, long pants, long sleeved shirt, seasons, September, shorts, summer, tee shirt, wet and cold weather
Posted in birds, local, nature, seasons, time |
The apple season has started. Ginger Gold, summer Rambo and Paula Reds are here. I pay closer attention to the new arrivals. The Ginger Gold and Paula Reds I enjoy now. They don’t retain their crispness too long. There is nothing worse than a mushy apple. I now pay more frequent visits to my local produce stand. Pears will also come in season. I like buying them there for they let them on the tree longer. They are tree ripened and sweeter than you can buy in the big supermarkets. One of my favorite pears are Seckel pears. They are small but very tasty pears and only around for a short time. Fresh cider is also around the corner. All harbingers of the next season–Fall.
Tags: apple cider, apple season, autumn, crisp, Fall, fruit, Ginger Gold apple, in season, mushy apple, Paula Red apple, pears, produce stand, seasons, Seckel pear, summer Rambo apple, supermarket, tree ripened
Posted in local, nature, seasons, time |
Soon the hummingbirds will stop coming to my feeder. And will take the long journey south. I never know when I see the last one of the season but I will keep nectar out for a few more weeks for any stragglers. The “passing” of the hummingbirds is another sign the warm weather is out and the cold temperatures are on their way. I can become too used to their sight and they have to go away for me again to marvel at this creation of God. It will be April, again, before they come back. And I will await their arrival.
Tags: April, bird feeder, bird migration, bird-watching, birds, cold temperatures, creation of God, God, hummingbirds, long journey south, nectar, seasons, warm weather
Posted in beauty, birds, God, local, nature, seasons, time |
I found an acorn on the ground: Fall must be around the corner. Temperatures now are lower. It is still warm. Kids are about to return to school. I have my eyes open for the next season–Autumn. I will still enjoy the higher temperatures but now I know they are on their way out. Official summer is not done for a few weeks. It is just winding down. I will await the next season expectantly. There is always the illusion each season will linger for ever but it is only that–an illusion. And before you know it, the next one has arrived.
Tags: acorn, autumn, Fall, Fall around the corner, return to school, seasons, summer, warm temperatures
Posted in balance, beauty, God, life, local, nature, seasons, time, wisdom |
It felt cool this morning and that was a gift. The ground and plants were still wet. It had rained last night. There had been too many hot days and before I know it they will be gone. Summer is winding down: soon Labor day will be here and the kids will be back to school. Today I will enjoy the weather exactly how it is and when it changes again I will not dismay. Every day is perfect and the greatest gift is today. Somehow this year I missed picking the wild blackberries but there is a frozen pie to remind us of all the raspberries I picked. Every season has its own gift.
Tags: back to school, every season has its own gift, God, greatest gift is today, hot days, Labor Day, morning, rain, raspberries, raspberry pie, seasons, summer, summer winding down, weather, wild blackberries
Posted in balance, beauty, God, life, local, nature, seasons, time, wisdom |
The spring has arrived. Everything has become green. Most of the deciduous trees the leaves have come out although there are some late bloomers. Some trees are only budding. Spring is almost at the halfway mark. And there are occasional days where it has skipped the season and went straight into summer but then it becomes cooler again and we know it is still spring. I inspect my garden every day to see the next bloom of the year. And then share the discovery with my Other. Spring is the season of discoveries. And I always like sharing the latest. The hummingbird arrived on Easter only last week. This time my wife spotted the bird first. I love watching them sip nectar from our feeder. And fend off other hummingbirds who invade their territory.
Tags: bird feeder, bird-watching, birds, bloom, budding, deciduous trees, Easter, everything green, garden, God, hummingbird, leaves, my wife, nectar, season of discoveries, seasons, spring, spring has arrived, summer, trees
Posted in beauty, birds, flowers, life, local, marriage, nature, seasons, time |
We went straight into summer from spring. It hit 81 degrees today. The warmer weather finally hit here. I did not want to leave my car’s windows open. It looked as if we might get a thunderstorm. My wife worked outside in the garden and I brought out two folding chairs. We are ready for this warm weather. It took a long time to get here.
Tags: folding chairs, garden, my wife, seasons, spring, summer, thunderstorm, warm weather
Posted in local, marriage, nature, seasons, time |
