In like a lamb

A feeling of satisfaction that February is at last gone. I'm not sure that March has "Come in like a lamb" though. It's been gorgeous weather, but slightly breezy.

Let me explain. The old saying of "March - in like a lamb, out like a lion', or the opposite "in like a lion, out like a lamb", is one of those familiar sayings I was brought up on. It means exactly what it says and is very often proven a correct forecast. I have used the term "breezy", as being brought up on the east coast of Norfolk, England (it's the bit that sticks out), I am used to real winds. Come to that, our time on the Costa del Sol was even windier (but not so cold)!

The couple of days in the eighties at the beginning of the week and a decent soaking have done wonders for bringing Spring seemingly closer.

Don't you just love Spring? A new awakening. With Lent just a few days away - yes, it is as late as it can be this year - the weather by Easter will, God willing, reflect the season of wonder and renewal.

Yes, I am glad to see the back of February. After a busy, sometimes hectic seven months, I eased off some of my church duties. I do feel refreshed, but am so glad to now be back in the thick of it.

http://www.saintjosephsdurham.org - I make no apologies for the plug.

In like a lion?

Just a couple of postings back I was rejoicing that Spring looked on it's way. I spoke too soon (as usual). Friday saw a daytime high of 69F. Today, Monday, we woke up to a couple of inches of snow!

One similarity (about the only one) of winters in North Carolina and England, is that authorities of neither seem ready for a snowfall, or for that matter, cope with it well. To be fair, for the frequency and amount that normally falls in both places, the cost of providing enough clearing equipment just to be used for half-a-dozen days a year, if that, would soon have the taxpayers baying for blood. In more northern states of the US they do cope much better as heavy falls are regular.

Still with today's carpet of the white stuff, there are still daffodils, crocuses and the like making a brave effort to bring some cheer. It's the second day of March for goodness sake, so it must be all downhill from here and I'm confident that in a few months time when we are "enjoying" temperatures in the high eighties and nineties, together with high humidity, I will be wishing for a snowfall to cool things down a bit! The old saying regarding March weather of "In like a lion, out like a lamb" bodes well for a joyous spring to look forward to.

Signs of Spring

The ground was maybe a tad squelchy under our feet as we walked through the woods by the banks of the Eno River this morning. It may have be just a little cold and we still have to reach the milestone of more consistently milder days. But I could feel it all around - the awakening.

The weak, but persistent sunlight through the bare trees was encouraging the growing buds at branch tips, birds seemed to be more active. The crocus and daffodils are poking their sleepy heads through to the sunlight. There is definitely a stirring in Nature. Yes, Spring is on it's way.

I don't want to speak too soon, but we in Central North Carolina have had a good winter. Sure, there have been the odd night when it dipped well below freezing. There have been days of what I call "English weather" (dull, damp, miserable), we even had a sprinkling of snow, but overall we have had it good compared with many parts of the nation.

With the daily news menu of gloom and doom, it really does cheer one up to witness this annual awakening. Get out there are enjoy it - it's free!