Gone too Soon

At least one reliable source says the season after winter and before summer, in which vegetation begins to appear, in the northern hemisphere is called spring. The southern WA winter is not usually like Alexandria, MN, where ice fishing is common, nor is it anywhere near Palmview, TX, where one can play golf most winter days.

It is with great sadness and concern that I announce Old Man Winter in the Pacific Northwest was or is gone too soon. Neither football nor basketball seasons are over yet and the season of “Say it ain’t so, Joe” hasn’t started so it must still be winter.

But:

The green of my iris plants has been showing for several weeks now — also true for the scattered bluebells.

My potted daffodils would normally appear in about a month, but they are nearly four inches above the potting soil. The roses would not bud until April or May, but they are now! The Rodies look like they are only weeks away from blooming too.

Yes it seems that Old Man Winter where I live is gone too soon, and for the sake of the plants thinking it is spring, I hope the old man is gone for the rest of the year.

Oh! I’ve also noticed that crows and squirrels are gathering nest materials about a month early too.