Groundhogs aka Woodchuck aka Whistling Pig

This morning, for the 126th time, that famous Punxsutawney Phil Groundhog ventured forth from his winter dwelling and predicted the outcome of the rest of the winter....of which he says there will be 6 more weeks of.

Everyone keeps saying, "I can't complain, this winter hasn't really seemed like winter." I kinda think that too, but really, I am ready for Spring. There is something about each of the seasons that I like, but I like Spring the best (shhh, don't tell the other seasons).

From the end of March until June 20th, I enjoy the fresh green colors, the way the earth smells...well, earthy, the new shoots poking up through the soil, and the way the balmy breezes feel blowing across your face which is upturned to feel the warmth of the sun.

As far as 6 more weeks of winter goes, that's pretty normal I suppose and I don't mind. I have a lot of indoor projects to do that wouldn't get done if I was out gallivanting like a frisky colt around the yard. Yes, I have been known to kick up my heels a time or two...

And as far as groundhogs go, Punxsutawney can keep Phil. In fact, I have a few more that I would love to donate to the cause. I have one or two fat ones living underneath my gardening shed, which I think is just plain rude! They like to come out and feast on delphiniums and phlox when they are young and tender (the plants, not the groundhogs) and I even saw one up in the apple tree.

I didn't even know they could climb trees.

Six more weeks of winter will go by quickly; it always does in hindsight. Today will go by in a blink of an eye. What can I get into?

My today resolution: Enjoy today for today. This day will never be lived again (unlike the movie Groundhog Day) and it is mine to enjoy. Make the most of it! 


Love,
Dianne

The Tale of a Kite

I know it's still January; at least for a couple more days. But this morning, the colors and the light outside felt like Spring. The air had just the smallest hint of March in it.

And I liked it. So did Ryan.

Maybe it was that tiny hint of March, but after lunch, he found the kite. He determined that he was going to fly it. So off he went outside into the wind. He looked a little bit like Christopher Robin and I was expecting Piglet and Pooh Bear to show up.

Try as he might to get the kite into the air, it just spun in circles, lots of circles. Apparently, the tail of the kite is important, so we tied more onto it to make it a proper tail. He tried again. And again.

Finally, the kite was airborne! I yelled a congratulations out the window and then decided to take some pictures. Just as I get outside and get the camera ready to capture the rainbow kite against the blue sky, it twisted and twirled like a tipsy ballerina and caught in the branches of a tree.

It was like it did it on purpose!

Ryan got the kite free and no sooner did he get it aloft, it again went into the tree. Not only did it catch in the branches, but it began it's crazy spinning again. This time is was really tangled in the branches. I thought for just a brief moment that I would have to climb up into the tree and execute a rescue of sorts. Then I began winding in the string and the branch began to bend towards me.

I stretched.
I stood on tippy-toes.
I jumped.
I caught the tip of the branch and unwound the kite.
We did it!!
But now the kite refused to get back up in the air. Even after we gently untangled the long lengths of tail from the string, it still refused.

By now, I have more than realized that it is still January and I am freezing. My fingers were feeling numb and even though it looked kinda warm outside, it most definitely was not.

The two of us, looking a little now like Kanga and Roo, went into the warm house. Maybe we'll try again in February. Maybe March, on another "blustery day".

Love,
 Dianne

Only 67 Days Til Spring...

I am snuggled under the covers right now.  Completely, like I am in an igloo, with everything under the blankets, because it is as cold as The North Pole out there.  I feel like a kid trying to read in bed with a flashlight thinking no one can see the glow radiating through the blankets.

Something is not quite working with our furnace and naturally, the time to find that out is when it is cold outside.  Sigh.

As I am thinking of climbing out of my warm cocoon, I am thankful for a house to shelter me from the wind. I am grateful for as many warm blankets as I could possibly want to keep me warm. I am thankful that winter weather is only around about 4 or so months a year. Just think, in 2 1/2 to 3 months, there will be new shoots of green poking through the cold earth in search of the sun. I can't wait!

But since I have to wait, I will enjoy (or at least try to enjoy) the cold days where your breath freezes into little clouds, and hot chocolate tastes better than at any other time. I am going to be thankful for this cinnamon hazelnut coffee and a cinnamon roll from Springs Store.

Oh, I am out of bed now, sitting in the kitchen; I am not under the covers drinking coffee.  The radiators are warm, the kids are off school and are in the family room watching Tangled together. All 5 of them plus a girlfriend. I am thankful for that too.

I am not sure yet about being thankful for the drive to work tonight....
....cause, Baby It's Cold Outside!

Be Blessed Today!
Dianne