In March, even the cold weather here feels warm. I find myself running outside for one thing or another with a cap and gloves as my only outer clothes. Then I look at the thermometer and it reads 12 degrees. Of course, I’m not standing still outside and I’m not spending hours outside dressed like that. But now that the wind is calm and the sky is sunny, the temperature feels perfectly fine.Comfort is a relative thing, I guess. In October, say, after the warmth of summer, 12 degrees would feel criminal. And even today, with a little wind or clouds to hide the sun, 12 degrees wouldn’t feel very comfortable. And it certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable enough run outside without a coat. And in the weak sun of January, I’m not sure even calm winds and a sunny sky would make it feel very warm.
But for today 12 degrees is a fine temperature, and I even have the possibility of the afternoon breaking the freezing mark. This morning the male northern cardinal has upped his game, going from singing to his lady love to chasing her. She is not foolish enough, just yet, to fall for his pursuit—not this week anyway. But still, spring is no longer far away. Indeed it is just a short ways down the trail and around the first bend.
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2 comments:
Hi Carolyn,
Unfortunately, I think my trail is going to be longer than yours toward spring. However, I'll enjoy it on your blog when it comes to Roundtop! Mild again here in Breck today, but snow is on the horizon.
Isn't it amazing how sunlight and season (and lack of wind!) can change our perception and experience of temperature? Along those same lines, a 35 degree day in January with sleet or rain and gray skies always feels much colder to me than a 10 degree day with sunshine. I'd rather it be 30 degrees colder than damp.
Spring's signs are picking up here, too. Woodpeckers starting to drum in earnest; geese pairing up; owls hooting along the river.
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