Spring at Last? Bwa-ha-ha

Probably not. It's just a temporary illusion. A sneak peek at what might be in a different year.

We've not had a day of 70 or over since November 3rd of last year. And it does not look like an official 70 is in our future any time soon.

This has been the coldest spring for a long, long time. We do have our sunny days, but it's chilly all the same. Today, for example, is beautiful. And maybe 67 for a high. Not time for summer songs yet. (Hot Time, Summer In The City!)

The rhodies are struggling to bloom. Lots of my new plants from last spring could not endure the cold and rain and gave up the ghost. Supposed perennials that were doing well in the fall. And they weren't cheap.

We know we're planting onions this year, and had planned on potatoes, but found out you can't grow nightshade plants in the same ground in consecutive years, and especially not potatoes, as the plants suck up everything, good or bad. I think we will do pickling cucumbers and give them to Lauren, as she loves to make pickles. I've got the garlic growing already.

I may put some impatiens out by the back fence as it is very shady there. The hostas do not seem to be doing well back there as I had hoped. Something eats them, and hostas are fairly impervious to bugs and slugs don't like the taste of them. So I don't know what it is and the search for successful plants for our microclimate, soil conditions and degree of neglect goes on.

Antonio Landscaping is taking care of the yard again and did an amazing job of weeding this spring. Yay, Antonio's guys!

Normie is beginning to look like he needs a good defurmination, so that's one sign of spring. He didn't shed much in the fall and he's not shedding much yet this spring. So-called Spring. Ha

Don't know if it will ever warm up enough to ride comfortably. Bah Humbug.

Jason and Lauren bought a boat (!) with another couple and so we are going to have Dad's Birthday Cruise this year. I think maybe we'll boat over to Ivar's. Now, I just have to figure out how to get out of the boat gracefully, in view of all the envious diners who had to drive there in cars, and without falling in Lake Union. Or maybe there is some other boat-in place we could go. I shall have to investigate.

Still Waiting

We're still waiting for a decent motorcycle day. None has arrived to bless our motorcycles in the last week.

Last night we had chunky rain on the way home from Monday Night Dinner At Taco Bell. It snowed 12 inches up in Stevens Pass and 6 at Snoqualmie. Good grief! Looks like Spring may be a no-show.

It would not be the first time. In fact, since we've lived here, we've missed entire summers from time to time. It just never warms up some years and we go straight from extended spring to extended fall.

Even if it stays nasty, we'll have a chance to warm up in the MidWorst this summer. And then I'll complain about the horrid humidity and heat, you know I will.

This year Evergreen Safety Foundation is offering one advanced trike/sidecar class. (first time ever) I wish I could go, but the cost on top of the cost of the upcoming Trek is prohibitive. Every penny we spend now we won't have for the trip expenses. I hear in Oregon the advanced classes are sometimes cancelled due to lack of students! Hard to believe people don't want advanced training. I want it, can't afford it. Maybe that's the case all around?

I'm still trying to figure out how to keep Norman's dog bed dry in the rain. And drive fast doesn't necessarily work. And I hope I can get in some riding practice before we leave on the trip. I hate to ride in the cold and wet!

Spring Never Comes

Today is one of those particularly Northwest days, dark enough you need to turn on the lights to see what's for lunch. (nothing particular interesting)

It's rainy, cold and damp and makes my previously broken leg ache. It feels like one of our eternal months-long rains although it is out of season for one of those.

It makes me want to huddle by the fire in my warm jammies, tucked in my blankie with a cup of cocoa to warm my hands and insides.

It feels like Spring is a distant fantasy.

The moss is ecstatic.

Definitely not a motorcycle day.