In Maine in March, Spring is a fitful affair that comes and goes. Sometimes it seems like winter; other times, there is a hint of something soft and warm in the air.
Yesterday definitely felt like spring. The temperature reached the mid-50s, a heatwave as far as Clif and I are concerned, and in the afternoon, after our work for the day was finished, out we went for a walk.
I know from reading other blogs that some people get snowdrops and daffodils this time of year.
In Maine we get footprints in the mud,
water rushing down the side of the road,
and a bucket to collect sap for making maple syrup.
But because Clif and I are Mainers, this is what we are used to, and all these modest signs of Spring are thrilling to us. There might be more cold weather, there might even be snow, but Winter is relaxing his icy grip.
Also on yesterday’s walk, we thrilled to the sight of the snowbanks pulling away from the side of the road.
We stopped to chat with our friends Cheryl and Deny, who were out in their fenced-in backyard with their dogs. Our friend Judy, with her own dog, was visiting. How good it was to see them all, lovely dogs included.
We waved to other neighbors who were sitting on their front porch.
“Heatwave” I called.
“Yes, yes,” they called back.
And to follow a tradition that I’ve begun this year, here are Clif and I waving to you.
It might look as though I have some kind of third appendage hanging from me on the far left. Instead, it is the sleeve of my jacket. I grew so warm that I had to take off my jacket and tie it around my waist.
What can I say? I’m a “Mainah,” and after the cold of winter, 55°F with no wind feels pretty darned warm.
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This week for music, I’m going to branch out from my beloved Tiny Desk Concerts to feature a YouTube video of “The Impression that I Get” by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. It seems to me that during this difficult year, most of us have been knocking on wood, and I bet these musicians are, too.
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Here are favorites and simple pleasures from other blogging friends:
Dawn, from Change is Hard, featured her smiling Sheltie. And what could be better than a smiling Sheltie? Not much.
On the other hand, the birthday of a beloved child is pretty darned special, too. Ju-Lyn, from Touring My Backyard, and her family recently celebrated her lovely daughter’s 21 birthday. Happy birthday, Jo!
Thistles and Kiwis wrote about all the cool things popping up in Wellington—art, parks, food. What a great place!
I loved all the pictures but especially the one of your shadows.
Waving right at you!
What great pictures! I almost feel I am there. BTW loved the podcast – listened in bed this morning. Looking forward to episode 2!
Thanks so much!!!
We get mud and rivers down the side of the road too! I am so glad you had a warm day, got out for a walk and saw friends and dogs in their yards. I’m waving back to you from here!
That warm day was a treat. Not so warm today.
Spring toys with us too!
Oh, She can be quite the trickster.
Welcome to mud season. 🙂
Bring it on! Because after mud comes spring. 😉
The mud prints made me smile.
A sign of spring!
Lovely to see how far the snow has retreated Laurie and what a beautiful day for a walkabout!🌞 Thank you for sharing the Mighty Mighty Bosstones video too 🎶
My pleasure!
Your snowdrop/daffodil alternatives made me laugh out loud.
In Maine, we take what we can get. 😉
Here, too!
Definitely been enjoying our ‘heat wave’. 🙂 I’ve been using the laundry line again this week – how I love freshly-scented laundry! 🙂
I am envious! Our backyard is not ready for laundry yet. Probably not until April.
As much as I enjoy remembering the beauty of blizzards and snowdrifts, the memories of the spring thaw are just as nice. I still can hear the drip of icicles, and smell that mud. I always felt sorry for the dirty snow. I had a feeling it wanted to depart as much as we wanted it gone!
That dirty snow does leave an impression. Quite different from when it is soft and new.
I would welcome everything that springs brings normally but I might draw a line at the mud.
Tee-hee! Most Mainers aren’t too keen on it either, but every once in a while I like a good stomp. 😉
I can understand that.
It’s always good to see how hardy Mainers like yourselves are coping and taking the month of March in your stride. Spring will be beautiful.
Indeed it will! All thirty minutes of it. 😉
Hi, Laurie – I love your optimism and I agree that spring is near. I was expecting an update from Snow-Gauge Clif. 😀 I will anxiously await that in a future post!
Monday is the day for Snow-gauge Clif. Coming right up.
Cheers to your heatwave and sense of humor … Oh … and taste in music! I didn’t know this one, but I like it!
Thanks! One of my favorite songs.
Waving right back at you! Thanks for taking us on your walk with you … lots of doggy therapy right there!
Fabulous song – they are new to me …. love their name!
Lovely to exchange waves!
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this – you have a lovely sense of humour and opened a completely different world to me. It has been a good outing – especially as we are expecting the temperature to rise to 43 degrees Centigrade today. We couldn’t be more different 🙂
Many thanks! Is that heat typical for you this time year?
Yes, it is – summer’s last fling 🙂
Spring is spring whatever it brings and if mud and 55°F is what it means to you well all’s right with your world. x
p.s. Love the music video. They remind me of ‘Madness’ back in the day. – which makes sense now I’ve Googled them and see one of their influences was British 2-tone ska back in the late seventies.
Musical influences travel. Love it!
Cheers for the waves, which we reciprocate 🙂
Waves across the pond!
Morning, Laurie. Here in the Philly area we had a few warm days. But colder air is upon us again today. Enjoy the weekend. And avoid the mud if you can.
Will do!
Wow, you’re winter is deeper and longer than ours. Have you ever visited the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Yes, it is. But Maine, I think, is the northern most state in the lower 48. If you look at it on a map, you will see that it is tucked snuggly into Canada. No, I have never visited the Upper Peninsula if Michigan, but I have read that the weather is similar to Maine’s.
Still making footprints in the mud here, too. But I’d like to give up on boots and go back to shoes that give more support. Wearing boots has made it even more imperative to make my first post-vaccine appointment a visit to the podiatrist.
Soon! Good luck with your feet.
I know “heath or warm weather” is different for everyone. For us 20C is warm, for someone who is used to the tropics it is freezing 😀
Indeed it is!
It is good to see Old Man Winter receding and Lady Spring muscling her way in! She has taken full control over here in my area. 🙂
Winter is back. Tomorrow’s forecast for the temperature is 0 degrees!
31 here this morning, but looks like we are headed for the 50s today here.
Good to hear winter is receding for you, spring must be extra welcome to you after such a long wait.
It surely is!
The weather is all relative, isn’t it. I remember one winter in northern VT where 32 degrees felt like spring! Lol. What a feeling when spring makes it’s first appearance! Enjoy!
I surely will!
Wow! enjoy spring. Do you make maple syrup?
We too are enjoying spring. The roads are cleaned, wahsed and the sand is all gone.
Come, Spring, come!
Mud and maple season! I’ve read about mud season in memoirs set in your hinterlands. It was interesting to see it in photos.
More to come. 😉