Jojo is even bum-fuzzled
Sixty five degrees on January 7, 2008 - a tie for the record set back in January 1967 . Like a lot of the locals there was no way I was going to spend this gorgeous day inside. Bet there were a lot of no-shows at the offices .
I shed the boots for my gardening clogs and went outside to enjoy the spring break. My goldfish even came out of the murky depths to the top of the pond to greet me. It had been so warm this winter that string algae had started to grow on the pond so I cleaned that out . I clipped off a few straggly perennials and raked up excessive leaves that had been hidden in the snow. But mostly I just sighed and soaked in the warmth as I sat in the garden with my faithful companion Jojo the rat terrier who was busy chasing Sparrows.
The record warmth of the past few days has the ground saturated with the melted snow and last night we had more rain which may cause flooding in some areas. I heard that parts of Indiana got 2 to 2 1/2 inches of rain overnight . The downside to the warmth was the first tornado to occur in January . Unfortunately 2 people were killed and a lot of property damage has been done in the Midwest.
Old-timers are reminded that it was 65 degrees a day before the worse blizzard in Chicago history hit in late January 1967 .
It's back inside and back to work for me. I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall, but at least I'm glad I enjoyed a brief Spring break.
It was very warm here in Austin yesterday too: a record-setting 80 degrees in town. Ups and downs are pretty common here in winter, as in Chicago, apparently. I'm glad you enjoyed your spring break in the garden and hope you get more balmy days like that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam. Eighty is really awesome. Do you really have a winter there in Austin or can you garden all year 'round ?
ReplyDeleteIn Buffalo we broke a 73-year-old record, it hit 63 yesterday! I'm diggin' it!
ReplyDeleteWe've had record temperatures for the past two days. It was 70 yesterday and close to that today. I took advantage of the weather to take down the outdoor Christmas decorations.
ReplyDeleteIt was warm today, but we're really getting soaked, Carolyn. It probably won't rain a drop this summer.
ReplyDeleteI forget to mention that I spoke with my mom, in Alabama, tonight and they are getting much needed rain. Maybe your friends in Alabama are getting some too. Hopefully the storm there having won't get too severe.
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteAs I read the first part of your post my mind was saying 'whoa - a giant storm followed that warm weather in 1967' so it wasn't a surprise when you mentioned the blizzard. Guess that makes me an oldtimer.
As to gardening year round in Austin... sort of. We've had hard freezes so no tender annuals or vegetables are around, the leaves are gone from deciduous trees and lots of perennials die to the ground. But some evergreens, roses and cold-hardy vegetables like kale can take frosts or freezes. The garden looks different, but it doesn't look like winter in the North.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Hi Jim,
ReplyDeleteSeems we're breaking records everywhere. Thanks for stopping by.
Hey, Phillip, I've been telling folks we leave our christmas decorations up 'til July !
Robin, I know you had lots of rain in Indiana, but I'm glad to hear that Alabama got it as well. Poor Georgia , however, that needed it most, didn't get it.
You ,an old-timer, Annie ? I don't think so ! I'm speaking of folks my age. I was young when I left Alabama but seem to recall that the garden in winter looked nothing like it did here !
No skipping out on work for me yesterday, even though it got to a record high 68 here in Indy. I don't know about you, but this warm weather in January freaks me out. I am happy for it to get colder again!
ReplyDeleteCarol, May Dreams Gardens
I am jealous! How much fun it would be to get out in the yard for a day. My mother has a rat Terrier, too, somehow that name always makes me laugh.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol,
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about this weather freaking you out but remember it won't last long enough to do any harm.
Muum, I wish I could send you a warm day to be outside in.