Winter Officially Over
I realize it's a bit odd to be writing about winter when it's just about time to mail the old federal income tax return, but we've still been having low temps in the upper 30s and goodness knows that the weather is no respecter of the calendar in west Texas; for example, we had snow on March 28th, two years ago.
However, with the gale force winds easing up for the first time in a week (OK, yesterday was calm, but my insanely unsympathetic boss wouldn't let me out), I went for a bike ride and saw the two indisputable signs that we will not be getting another freeze this spring. First, the mesquite is (are?) leafing out quite nicely. Second, a scissortail flew alongside of me, just above eye level and about thirty feet to my right, for a good quarter mile, until a car approached from behind and disrupted our race. Everyone knows that the scissortail flycatcher doesn't reappear in these parts until after the last freeze of the season. How they know that it's time to pack up their winter gear in Central America and return to the States is beyond me, but they're never mistaken, as far as I know. (The mesquite, on the other hand, have (has?) been fooled; it's rare, but it happens.)
So, pack up your longhandles and break out the thongs (sandals, that is; you are not in that kind of shape, yet)...summer's on its way!
Touché, Rach...I forget you guys are backwards. I mean, upside down. No, I mean, you're just, um, different! In a nice way, of course. ;-)
Posted by: Eric at April 13, 2005 05:09 PMOr it could be that God was experimenting with your climate before He made our lovely one...In a good way, of course ;-)
Posted by: Rachel at April 13, 2005 08:20 PMOh, now there's a good explanation that I've never heard before! And it makes as much sense as any other, too. I'm not hesitant to admit that New Zealand probably represents the pinnacle of God's creative power, at least based on what I see on TV and in the movies. We'd love to come experience it first hand someday.
Posted by: Eric at April 13, 2005 08:42 PMSo, get your passports in order, let Rachel arrange for bike rentals, and GO, Eric! You and YLB would love it, I don't doubt!
Posted by: jasmine at April 13, 2005 09:58 PMYou should!!! I could arrage things for you on this end!
Posted by: Rachel at April 13, 2005 10:12 PMAh, yes...but could you arrange the massive cash transfusion that would be necessary to get us over there? ;-)
And that'll be just about enough out of you, Jasmine. I'm already in the doghouse for not planning enough trips!
Posted by: Eric at April 13, 2005 10:17 PMAnother sure sign. My caladium guru emailed the other day and sez to get my 150 bulbs in the ground.
Posted by: Wallace-Midland, Texas at April 13, 2005 10:27 PMAbout the publisher
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Unless you want to visit over my way cause it's coming on winter!
Posted by: Rachel at April 13, 2005 05:05 PM