<p>Buffalo north suburbs/Niagara Falls: We just lucked out with a surprisingly easy winter, compared to everyone to the west and east of us. </p>
<p>Last night and this morning, a foot of snow fell. I was concerned for a Bat Mitzvah family with so much snow and out-of-town guests on their big day. When I got there, they were completely happy and pleased. They originate from Moscow, so the snow kind of made sense to them. </p>
<p>They had been denied religious education under the Soviet Union. Actually, the family moved to the USA in part for religious freedom for their next generation. Hers was the first such lifecycle event in many generations, although in the long past there were rabbis and cantors on both sides of her family line back in Russia. Three adults were also called to the TOrah for the first time ever in their lives, and this included her parents and an aunt. All 4 grandparents were present. Amazing. It was like a first-generation college graduate, only different. She represented a lot to her family, that’s for sure.</p>
<p>Any other family might have bellyached about it snowing all weekend, but not these good people. They brought their own sunshine with them.</p>
<p>For me, the first sign of Spring is when the lawn service comes around for their annual contract. I used to be more connected to the land, but we’ve gotten kinda lazy.</p>
<p>Well, here in the Chicago area, the crocuses might be coming out under what’s left of the snow and only a half inch of snow fell in the flurries today and it is supposed to get close to 60 later this week…let’s go back to the other thread where I want to move to southern California. I did buy some daffodils the other day and my new spring flower placemats and runner do brighten up the dining room so if I don’t look out the window it’s not so bad. And best of all DS is home for spring break, albeit currently on the Wii.</p>
<p>I went to our local drug store to buy some suntan lotion for our vacation next week. I walked all over the store and couldn’t find any. Then I heard someone say, “Where do you keep your suntan lotion?” I guess I am not the only one looking for some sunshine after this winter. I am ready for some sun and some pina colada.</p>
<p>P3T, what a wonderful story to bring everything into perspective. Thanks!</p>
<p>Slowly going out for a sunset walk, with 2 pairs of pants, scarf, down coat and boots for the ice. At least days are longer! Longer yet, tomorrow.</p>
<p>From northern California - this is the first March for our garden of native plants, which we planted late last spring. The poppies in the backyard are about to bloom, and I see one tidy tips flower so far. There are lots and lots of pink flowers on the ribes (currant) shrubs, and I’ve seen hummingbirds and butterflies visiting. A crow came to take a bath this morning in the backyard pond.</p>
<p>Keshira: you can come here and take as much as you want.</p>
<p>The only bright spot in our yard this weekend has been the flurry of birds around the bird feeder. I restocked it before the big snowstorm and the little critters are SO grateful. I think I’m feeding the entire neighborhood, though…I can’t tell if it’s the same 5 pairs of bright red cardinals or different ones. Also a blue jay and a woodpecker, plus countless smaller birds.</p>
<p>I heard a tip once for beating the blahs on those endless winter days–put on suntan lotion. Just the smell of it will take you away to a sunny beach! That’s the theory, anyway.</p>
<p>I drove up highway 5 last Monday and the almond trees were in bloom (white flowers) the whole way! Nobody ever thinks highway 5 is pretty, but this was definitely an exception. Our daffodils started blooming the beginning of February and the petunias are out this week. It feels like winter is over.</p>
<p>The azaleas are blooming now in Houston. It was sunny and high of 64 degrees today. We went to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo today and actually had to look for shade to stand in, as the sun was beating down. Here’s hoping something is blooming in your neck of the woods soon.</p>
<p>I’ve got crocus and snowdrops blooming. Daffodils have poked up above the ground, but are still a long way from blooming. I got a packet of Ramapo tomato seeds in the mail from Rutgers, time to get them started!</p>
<p>Here on the southern side of the Ohio Valley last weekend the temperature was about 70. I watched a college baseball game between the local team and one from Illinois. Trees began to bud and daffodils and crocuses poked up. Today I woke up to 3-4 inches of snow. Shoveled the driveway for the first time in two years. Later went for a ride in the country, and it was beautiful. But the snow will be gone in a day or two, and we are already waving goodbye to winter and turning to watch for spring coming around the corner. Of course, in a few months we’ll be complaining about the hot, dry weather.</p>