Snow days in March?

Looks like that March will start for us in MA with a punch, better double punch. Two winter storms are heading our way and the forecast for our area calls for up to a foot of snow.

Even my boys, who may have a snow day on Monday and get a chance for earning good money with snow shoveling, are disappointed. They are, like me, tired of snow.

The past two days were nice and balmy, and we just started for the first time since Christmas to see the lawn again; and even better, the first flowers emerged.


I can't believe, this all will be over in a few hours.

In the Icebox

Outside, it feels again like living in an icebox. However, the frigid weather couldn't stop us from venturing out into the woods. The bright sunshine and blue sky were just too tempting. So we bundled up, grabbed our snowshoes and went to the Middlesex Fells Reservation for a hike in the snow.

1258 miles

It was printed on the ticket: Only 1258 miles between Boston and Miami - but what a difference. After a bit more than three hours in the air, we were back from our short trip to Florida. Back also to snow and cold after a few marvelous days in the sun. The difference in temperature is really amazing: 80 F yesterday afternoon on the Keys, 26 F at arrival in Boston. All we have left are the memories that must get us now through almost three months more of New England winter.

Sunshine Again

I'm still amazed how quickly the weather is changing here. Yesterday grey sky and hours of snowfall, today bright sunshine, blue sky and a white winter wonderland:

Winter Night

Too much of a good thing

I enjoy having white christmas - but what's too much, is too much. It's snowing, and snowing, and snowing and no end in sight. We got one foot of snow on Friday, a few inches yesterday and at least another foot today.

For my sons however, this means good business. Neighbors are already calling. They want them to come to their houses for snow shoveling.

Getting ready

...for the next big storm. While here in Massachusetts thousands of people are still without power one week after the big ice storm last Thursday/Friday, we are getting ready for a new winter storm. According to the forecast, about a foot of snow within a few hours with wind and blizzard like conditions can be expected. School will end tomorrow already at 11:15 am, so that the kids can get home safely.

My husband is currently in San Diego and was supposed to fly back tomorrow. He is now trying to get a flight tonight because Logan airport will probably be closed tomorrow if the weather gets as bad as forecasted. Unfortunately, many other people had the same idea and he doesn't know yet whether he can reschedule. If not, he may be stuck in Houston for many hours. I keep my fingers crossed that he can get a flight tonight.

The weather today was just beautiful - the calm before the storm. This morning I enjoyed watching a spectacular sunrise over the lake in our neighborhood:

Cold Snap

Last weekend, we had incredibly cold weather; way too cold for November in Boston. Nevertheless, we wanted to get out of the house and make a walk around a lake in our neighborhood. Our boys weren't enthusiastic at first , but changed their opinion when friends of them joined us. So we managed to have some fun despite the bitter wind and freezing temperatures.



Today, it felt almost balmy outside though the temps were just in the forties. I'm not ready yet for winter and dread the long months ahead.

Groundhog: Six more weeks of winter

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today, thus we will have six more weeks of winter.

Today is Groundhog day, and according to the traditional belief, if the groundhog can see on February 2 his shadow because it's a sunny (and normally also cold) day, spring is still far away. This tradition was "imported" to the USA by German settlers, who immigrated in the mid-1800s. In Europe at that time, groundhogs were rare, so people watched for badgers, bears, and hedgehogs, as signs of winter's end.

Punxsutawney Phil lives in Pennsylvania and his weather forecast on Groundhog day attracts every year thousands of people. Therefore, he is probably the most famous weather forecaster in the world.

Massachussetts doesn't want to depend any longer on Phil's forecast. There is Mrs. G., a female groundhog, who is living at the Drumlin Farm, a property of the Audobon society, and according to an initiative Mrs. G. is to become Massachusetts State groundhog.

Well, if this initiative is rejected, I would have to offer an alternative:

In my garden here in Arlington, MA lives this handsome groundhog fellow - no name yet, but I bet he is also good at weather forecasting. Didn't see him today, though. Perhaps a good sign - since the weather was fine and he would have seen his shadow (or is he a she?).