February 24, 2017
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Looking Mild
We have had unusually mild weather in Northern Indiana. There isn't any evidence of snow. In February we mostly have mountains of snow piled along the boundaries of the parking lots. Often there is a glacier like pile of ice sitting in the center of the mall parking area taking up nearly a whole row of parking spaces. No snow. With the lack of snow we have also had warmer than usual temperatures. The balmy weather has confused the plants and the wildlife. The little crab apple tree in the front yard has started to put out buds. I have some daffodil bulbs that think it is time to sprout. The last time that happened I ended up with daffodils with stumpy leaves due to frost taking the ends off. The amount of road kill is reminiscent of late March. All the critters seem to think it is time to mate making them stupid in love and willing to dash across the road to find their lover. It is so warm that I saw college students in flip-flops. It is so mild out that my heating bill was a paltry $62.81. Usually in January and February the bills hover around $200. It is unseasonably warm.
This shift in the seasons is disconcerting to everyone! I think it is starting to affect the economy too. The snow removal folks (and I'm talking about the guys who put a plow on the front of their trucks and make extra money plowing the driveways of the older folks) are praying for snow. There was an article in the paper about how sales of sleds, skis, and winter clothing were down from last year. I was at Kohl's, Sears, and Penney's and they were all having giant clearance sales on sweaters, coats and the hat/scarf/mitten sets. They aren't at ridiculously reduced prices yet but they are heading that way. I was able to buy a Dana Buchman sweater dress marked down from $95 to $16. Now I only hope I can wear it before it gets too warm! (I thought I'd never say anything like that!!)
Comments (23)
I hope you get your wish. However I also hope it doesn't get cold enough to freeze my friend's blueberries on her pick-your-own blueberry farm in So. IN. When we lived here in 1965/66 there was a winter with practically no snow. We were just here for the year, in between So. CA and Africa, so we were really hoping for snow. Someone gave us a sled, but I think the children only got to sled once. There wasn't even enough snow to build a snowman. We were disappointed.
It is supposed to get cold tomorrow with a high of 37 degrees. I hope it doesn't freeze...
Didn't Punxatawney Phil predict 6 more weeks of winter about 3 weeks ago? That's a pretty dress, and I'll bet you'll have lots of chances to wear it, if not now, then in about 3 weeks
!
March is coming in like a lion this year... The warm weather and cold air that is moving in has resulted in some thunder storms!! So strange to hear thunder in February!
I chuckle that while my mom talks to me about having a couple feet of snow, which she is glad is starting to melt, I am walking the beach with almost hot 77 degrees. We might still dip down to the 40s at night so all long sleeves I'm not tucking away just yet.
The weather is always changing, and ever interesting. A couple days we had torrential rain, and how about California that has a 4year drought, and now flooding? I will be heading out that way next month (both nervous and so excited; my first time on west coast) and I don't know how to pack.
Oh! A trip to California is fun! There is so much to see and do. Where in CA are you going? I always suggest layers. You can add and subtract according to the weather...
Our cherry trees and lilac bushes are beginning to bud. The maple trees have those fuzzy little flowers on them. The daffodils look like they're about to bloom. But the crocuses have barely got sprouts through the soil and I haven't seen a robin yet.
I saw a robin yesterday on campus. Everything is starting to bud and push up through the ground. I am hoping that we don't end up with an abbreviated spring - or worse a cold snap that kills off all the fruit crop and spring flowers! BTW did you get my email?
@Crystalinne: California has every kind of climate. Take a little bit of everything.
@Crystalinne: In So Cal, it will likely be in the high 60's or low 70's by early April. Layers and sweaters work well -- and business casual is always good. In No Cal, it will be cooler, and might still be rainy, but not snowy except in the mountains -- it's more business attire there. If you're in So Cal, let me know, and let's try to get together.
Janet
@murisopsis: I didn't get an email from you.
Check your spam folder... it is from career builder... and me and some random monkeys.... I love the way they laugh!
@murisopsis: I don't see it. If you resend it, I'll know not to delete.
I did. I really hope you get it. If not I'll try sending it to myself and see if that works...
Great poem & commentary too....and great dress also...very fashionable! Be sure to wear a bright colorful scarf or jewelry with it and it will be good for spring too!
It might work if we have a cool spring but the dress is designed for winter - and fleece lined leggings and tall boots!
We actually got a little snow this week and the temps dropped into the 20's for a bit. It is to warm up again now, but I do hope it froze those mosquitos that bit us last week!
The mosquitoes can all freeze but I'm afraid the cherry blossoms could be damaged.
That is a pretty dress. I need to go dress shopping, imagine the persons at church are tired of seeing me in mine that is now way to big since I've lost weight. Problem is the weight came off my shoulders, other areas are still large. lol
I like the styles they have now that are a more flowing look - with a gathering at an empire waist. It kind of hides things and has a more feminine look than some of the boxy styles of a couple years ago... I'm sure there are some dresses out there that would be flattering...
@murisopsis: @slmret: I don't like to announce trips dates usually, stating when I will be away from home, but layers is a good suggestion, and thank you for mentioning business casual. I will be in the L.A. And San Diego Areas, but will be traveling with a friend's family, and be at their mercy of where to go. I do know we will get to the zoo to see the pandas one day, China town, and K-town were mentioned too, but since it's all new to me, I will be excited like a kid in a candy shop, and happy to see just about anything.
I hope you get to see and do everything you want to on your trip! I've never been to LA or San Diego - only San Francisco. It was cool and cloudy there in late August but I'm guessing it was warmer in LA and other points south. We saw the pandas at the National Zoo in Washington DC and they were fascinating!
@crystalline: I live in Aliso Viejo, half way between LA and San Diego, and just inland from Laguna Beach. LA's Chinatown is fascinating -- K-town more just high-rises with Korean names on them. The SD Zoo is worth an entire day or more, and the pandas are worth waiting in line! Our weather is day to day -- 2 days of cold and gray right now, but 80's by mid-week.Down to 5 at night, but sweaters or a light jacket should be enough. If you want, send me email at jcwaters3@cox.net. And have a GREAT time!