17 February 2019

Mid February

I know that writing about the weather is boring but it's so unpredictable these days...

We had a slow start to winter.  November, December and January were unseasonably warm and dry.  Then February blew in and it all reverted to normal.  Ok, not exactly normal, but definitely wetter.  We had some snow here in PDX, not a lot but enough to cause a ruckus.  Schools were closed, traffic was a nightmare, there were panicked runs on the grocery stores.  It was, in fact, the usual Portland panic at the sight of a snowflake.   There was a true weather emergency in the Columbia River Gorge though.  Heavy snowfall and multiple car/truck accidents shut the highway for something like 18 hours.  People were stranded in their cars overnight. 

My daughter got waaay more snow in the Puget Sound area.  She was hoping to get out on her cross country skis and by golly she did.  And then it showed some more.  And then some more.  They ended up with a couple feet easily.  Fortunately, she and her husband can work from home.  They got awfully bored but they were safe.

We've had incessant rain after our brief snowfall here in the City of Roses.  I was out walking this morning*, though, and saw several signs of spring.  Violets are flowering, as are snow drops.  Camellias are putting on a fabulous show and hellebores are luxurious.    Daffodils and tulips are pushing through the soil.  Yep, spring is coming!  For all of you in colder, more northern, and snowier climes, chin up!  Hopefully, you won't get another visit from the polar vortex.




*Not that I'm opposed to early morning walks in the rain, but I don't usually take those opportunities.  However, I am puppy sitting for a friend and the little terror needs lots of exercise.  What a good reminder to NEVER get a puppy!

Ok, he's being suspiciously quiet... I'd better go see what trouble he's getting into now.  Cheers!