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Here in New England, the temperatures have dropped from the low 70s on Friday to the high 40s this morning… but that’s kind of the definition of ‘spring’ for us. At least the chest-high piles of grey snow have vanished, and the first defiant daffodil sprouts are greening. Also, I now have three dozen tomato seedlings on order for mid-May, because I’m am optimist. A lazy optimist.
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What have y’all got planned for the day?
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goblue72
Its almost 4 AM in Cali. So that means its time for bed.
P.S. Ellsbury-Pedroia-Cameron-Youkilis-Gonzalez-Ortiz-Drew-Scutaro-Saltalamacchia sounds pretty damn good to me.
Beckett one of the 1-2-3, not so much.
kerFuFFler
Anybody interested should check out the National Trumpet Competition—–streamed live starting at 9:00am. http://www.nationaltrumpetcomp.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=89398
Matthew Bloomfield and Danny Taubenheim are both fantastic players. I think one is playing at 10:30 or 10:40, and the other plays right after.
PurpleGirl
Had trouble sleeping so I got up to read. Saw the moon at 3 a.m. and it was spectacular. It was so bright and looked so much larger. It was worth being up early to see. (And we had the perfect night to see it — clear, no clouds and crisp air.)
May take a nap later, though.
The Tim Channel
Summer’s here, I’m for that.
I got my rubber sandals
I got my straw hat
Drinking cold beer
Man I’m glad that it’s here
It’s my favorite time of the year
And I’m glad that it’s here.
H/T to James Tayor, and yes, I’m aware that the topic is spring, not summer, because my not-so-young man’s fancy is definitely yearning for outdoor adventure. My dogs are looking forward to spending a bit more time out of the house as well.
To that end, I have decided to throw caution to the wind and join the massive ranks of Europeans and their excellent infrastructure of bike paths by purchasing a moped and tooling about the area (at a blazing 25 km/h). This new age attempt at reinventing “An American Abroad” is being documented on a new site I set up to test Tumblr’s free hosting platform. You are all invited to ride along.
http://thetimchannel.tumblr.com/
Enjoy.
Comrade Javamanphil
The sap is running and nothing tastes quite as good as a shot of maple straight off the boil. That is spring.
Linda Featheringill
Here in Ohio, I saw the first new leaf of this year. Awesome!
And yes, the temps go up and down a lot.
Sko Hayes
Here on the high plains of western Kansas, we have early daffodils blooming, and my crabapple tree is about to burst into it’s yearly pink and white splendor, while robins migrating through eat the fruit from last year.
The moon is still high, I’m going out later to take pics as it sets.
Spring is busting out all over around here.
Napoleon
Going to be about 50 and so I will be working in the yard all day.
Dennis SGMM
Driving my Miata down to El Toro so that I can watch a friend race his Real Race Car Miata. It’s raining on and off here in So Cal so my Miata and I will tiptoe on little cat feet all the way there and back.
Mustang Bobby
Here in South Florida it means the new growth is coming on the live oaks, which means the old leaves are falling. It’s still nice and cool in the mornings and the A/C isn’t running full time. I have the patio door open. The hibiscus are blooming, and there’s a little layer of mist over the waterway behind the house. Beautiful.
I’ll post my Sunday Reading at my blog, then settle in with a mug of coffee, the New York Times crossword puzzle, then head off to Quaker meeting around ten.
Boudica
Question:
How do I access the mobile version of this site? When I’m on my e-reader (Velocity Cruz), sometimes the comments will come up as the mobile version and I love the format because it loads faster. But I want it to be permanent for all pages of the site.
I thought there was a link on the front page for the mobile version, but I can’t find it now.
JPL
The dogwoods are close to blooming. Another week from now one could drive around north Georgia and see shades of white all over.
@Mustang Bobby: Although the glitch was cute, I found the Times puzzle to be quite a slog.
Cat Lady
Daughter’s wedding in Cambridge next month has an option to have the ceremony outside. A month ago it was unimaginable, but three weeks from now, it could be 80. It could be a blizzard, also too. Ahh, Spring in New England. You never know what to wear.
donnah
We’ve been teased with a couple of warm and sunny days, but spring is holding out on a big debut. We do have some brave crocus plants up, and that gives me hope.
Today I shall work on my latest hooked rug. My progress so far is here:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d27/Rughooker/712aee04.jpg
When the weather stays warm for real, I can take my work outside on our front porch and enjoy the sunshine.
Thoughtful Black Co-Citizen
Only supposed to hit the mid-50’s today which only seems cold because it was in the 70’s on Friday and (I think) the mid-60’s yesterday. Typical D.C. Still, it’s good weather for stomping around the woods and hopefully it sends the ticks back to sleep. Plus, colder temps keep the morels from popping out before we’re ready to pick them.
@Comrade Javamanphil: Mmm. Maple syrup. I’ll be right over.
Cat Lady
@donnah:
Wow. Beautiful. I hope no one ever walks on it. I don’t think rug is the right word for that.
PurpleGirl
@donnah: Nice image. Is it an original drawing you’ve done? The eyes have a haunting quality to them.
Montysano
Here in Alabama, we’re heading out for a hike in the Enchanted Forest. Before long, briars and snakes and bugs [***ticks… shudder***] will put an end to the hiking season
Non-Existent Patricia
We’re taking the kids to a local farm to pick strawberries. Then, to a T-ball game (5 year old sports is about the cutest thing ever). Later, grilled steaks and veggies, beer and strawberries romanoff for dessert. We pay for it with our ridiculously hot and humid summers, but we have pretty nice springs here in south Texas.
Cheryl from Maryland
@Thoughtful Black Co-Citizen: Same here north of DC. But the sun is finally out, and I’m going to check out some pansies.
Also see that Hines Ward is on Dancing with the Stars with the cute Australian blonde. He’s looking good. Enquiring minds want to know, will John watch to root for a Stiller?
JCT
@Cat Lady: Awesome on the wedding — hopefully not too much brutal planning.
As for me, heading out West for a week-long business trip. Actually so worn out I would rather lie in my bed for a week, but so be it…
donnah
@Cat Lady:
Thanks! I don’t ever put my rugs on the floor, but technically they could be used that way: they’re made the same way women have been making them for generations, one strip of wool at a time. ;-) But no, my rugs usually go to art shows and galleries, not floors.
The subject is a Native American boy, taken from a photo by Edward Curtis, which he took in 1905. I wish I knew the tribe from which the child came, but all I know is that his name was Ah-Chee-Lo.
Yes, the eyes are what drew me to this photo.
Dennis SGMM
@Non-Existent Patricia:
Spent a couple of years in Kingsville, TX. Although some of the cloudscapes were incredible I don’t remember any time of the year that was pretty. San Antonio, on the other hand…
JPL
@donnah: Your rug is gorgeous and to say that I’m envious of your talent would be an understatement. How long does it take you to hook a rug with so much detail?
Cat Lady
@JCT:
hahahahahahahahahahah
burnspbesq
Typical Sunday: work, bills, laundry, riding the kid’s ass to make sure homework gets done. Will also root for Duke and Washington (my second favorite team is whoever is playing Carolina).
burnspbesq
Gave up on the retail channel and ordered an iPad2 online. Estimated delivery date is April 27.
Hal
This weather has brought my taste for iced coffee out of hibernation. The hot stuff has been much less appealing this week than in the past.
gene108
Half way through much needed Spring Cleaning. What’s not being used is going to Goodwill. Place is a mess and I don’t want to finish it, but ugghhh….I just have to suck it up and get out of bed…
Cervantes
@donnah: Beautiful. What a nice start to my day. Thank you.
blogreeder
Nothing says spring to me more than a broad coalition of forces attacking an oil rich Muslim country.
Phyllis
Storing the flannel sheets and making up the bed with the summer-weight bamboo sheets. If I get really ambitious, I’ll do the winter/summer clothes closet swapout. Ham steak for the grill and creamed potatos seasoned with dill for supper.
bk
Having a drinking game – a beer each time the camera gives Seth Curry’s mom a closeup.
When did we start naming our wars after porn stars?
RalfW
I’m tempted to follow Max’s lead. But of course, off screen, there’s society’s prudish tamping down of exuberance and freedom. Spoilsports.
Plus, it’s 39 deg and raining, so clothes are not really optional out there.
Non-Existent Patricia
@Dennis SGMM: Well, pretty nice is a relative term. As in, compared to our sweltering summers and rainy winters, spring is pretty nice here in the Houston area. ;)
geg6
Got the pepper and tomato seeds started and all the ornamental grasses in the front yard and raised beds in the back cut back yesterday. John will be doing some painting and clearing out of clutter in the basement and the room over the carport (soon to be my refuge room) today and, hopefully, some painting in anticipation of my move. Gave notice to landlord for May1, so both John and I have to get our asses in gear. We both have too much shit.
gnomedad
Gotta read up for Nixonland this afternoon.
donnah
@JPL:
Thank you, and Cervantes, too!
It’s about 24″ by 30″ and I started it on Jan 28th of this year. It generally takes about 8 weeks to complete a rug of this size, but of course it depends on my schedule. This year has been rough for me, time-wise, but I try to work on it every day.
SBJules
We are having the largest rain storm of the season in Santa Barbara. I will try and watch as much basketball as possible & stay dry
Poopyman
@donnah: That is awesome!
@Cheryl from Maryland:
More likely for the cute Australian blonde.
Currently high 30s here in Southern MD, with a high of about 52. Willows are green, maples are red, sky is blue. (No, this is not a poem.) The onions have sprouted in the lawn and the daffs opened yesterday. I could go replace the raised bed borders or I could do taxes. I knew I’d regret procrastinating. Not that it ever stopped me before.
R-Jud
We saw some cool stuff yesterday. You know, if you think Neolithic hill figures are cool.
Today: 22 mile run, about 4 hours. Saw lambs and cygnets and ducklings and goslings and goat kids and calves and foals on my route. Spring’s sprung, hurrah, it’s time for a nap. Play me off, Ogden Nash:
It is Spring! It is Spring!
On the lea, on the ling!
The frost is dispersed!
Like the buds let us burst!
Let the sap in our veins
Rush like limited trains!
Let our primitive urges
Disgruntle our clergies,
While Bacchus and Pan
Cavort in the van!
Spring is what winter
Always goes inter.
Science finds reasons
For mutable seasons.
Can’t you control
That faun in your soul?
Please go and focus
Your whims on a crocus.
jeffreyw
I’ve been messing about trying to get some concrete poured out front. Poured a new walk from the garage this week, planning on a concrete pad and a new apron before the garage door. It’ll incorporate some drain troughs to alleviate a runoff problem during heavy rains. The new walk is higher than the old one-we spent a few hours yesterday at the stone yard picking out a stone step. Found one 48″x18″x8″, it’s quite a load. Oh, and dropped by the hatchery to bring home some minnows and baby sunfish to stock in a new pond dug late last year. It’s not quite full yet but only lacks about a foot.
Opie-jeanne
Heading out on the road in a little while. Driving back to Seattle from SoCal. We do it in two days because it’s 1100 miles and we are old farts and know we are not immortal.
Ralph Spoilsport
Raking oak leaves out of the beds, and wondering where all the ‘snake grass’ came from…. Rain today in NW Indiana, but I got the microbus-sized leaf piles up, so off we go. Daffs are budding, ‘Tommie’ Crocii are blooming, and the chionodoxa are breaking ground. Do I put on a rainsuit and finish it up, or just b*tch about the editorial page of the Chicago Tribune and wish for Bloody Mary’s?
Svensker
Getting ready to go to Meeting. Ran across this teaser for a documentary about the Islamic influences on Mexican music. I’d never thought about it but of course. Would love to see the whole thing, the music is wonderful.
scav
Had those first of those eerie eerie walks — where you’re out — After Dark — and you’ve No Coat On. Now we’ve got a nice little grey drizzle going. Chirpy birds.
marcel
Here in New England, the temperatures have dropped from the low 70s on Friday to the high 40s this morning…
Speak for yourself. Here in Northern New England (central NH), we still have lots of snow, and never made it above 60 Friday. Snow is likely to last for another couple of weeks, the CT River is still frozen outside my window, …
dr. bloor
@marcel:
The local name for that region here in Providence is “Canada.”
Phase two of our city garden today–rototill and roll the back “yard,” and get weed block down. The gravel and raised beds arrive next week.
Ash Can
Especially now that we’re back on Daylight Saving Time, it seems like we have lots and lots of daylight here in Chicago these days. The crocuses and tulips are poking up, especially on the south side of the house, and the migratory birds have started to come through. Robins and red-winged blackbirds are coming back, the “visiting” sparrows have started passing through, and I spotted a goldfinch couple in the back yard yesterday.
And that’s a great cartoon. LOL!
CaseyL
When the weather is both sunny and warm, I like to sit in the grass outside with my kitties, all three of us basking in the sun.
Today I may also check out a Horse Rescue ranch over at Echo Lake, see about volunteering there. I already volunteer on Saturdays at the Aquarium, though, so I don’t know how much time I can give to the rescued horsies.
David Brooks (not that one)
Charity 5K with all 3 kids, 2 grandkids, other family. Brunch at home later. Last night, Rummikub, Yahtzee, Apples To Apples. I’m 61 and nothing hurts. Life is good.
burnspbesq
@bk:
Don’t do that! I want you alive next year to watch Amber Henson kill the Carolina women, then sit with the Cameron Crazies and root against her brother (after which he will realize that he’s not getting better playing for ol’ Roy and bolt for the pros).
JD_PhD
Today is just the vernal equinox. It’s been spring here in NJ for a few weeks now, I’d say.
Comrade Mary
Oh, man. Hideaki Akaiwa is Badass of the Week. I was crying and swearing by turns as I read this.
Another Bob
One of the sweetest songs ever, Joy Spring, with Clifford Brown, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins et al:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJcuwurIwhQ&feature=related
The tinny sound of this 1950s era recording could be better, but I think of it as a sort of patina on an old piece of sterling silver.
4jkb4ia
Happy Purim–it’s Purim and anything can happen–see Pitt-Butler as example. Only because I couldn’t root against Butler, I shook my head and said, “March Madness. baby!” The announcers couldn’t believe it either.
marcel
@dr. bloor: Touche
bob in sj
The weather in the south San Francisco Bay was miserable 90% of the day. The other 10% the wife an I were able to take a short walk. This week promises mostly wet weather. Stupid climate change.