The dead of winter

Here we are, almost to the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

Aside from a few small slush piles, the snow from last month's blizzard, along with the dusting from a light snowfall this past Tuesday, has melted. Although much of the US experienced intense winter weather the last few days, this final week in January has been calm and quiet -- albeit chilly -- for us here in the extreme northwestern corner of the country.

The deciduous trees are bare now, allowing the Douglas firs to show in full display. Today was overcast and slightly misty, although midweek the sun came out and we saw blue skies.  The world appears in the shades of rich brown, rusty red, and vivid mossy green that are peculiar to the temperate rainforest that is the Pacific Northwest. Winters here are barren and lush at the same time.

Wandering in my front yard this afternoon, I noticed that several of the bushes seem a bit shorter and flatter than they were two months ago. The weight of the accumulated snow has borne their branches down, as if they'd been wearing heavy hats.

There is a certain "bite" in the air -- or at least a hint of a bite -- that foretells Spring, although we have a way to go. The daffodils aren't up yet, for one thing.

Comments

[Cindy L.]

I'm in southeast Michigan, but was feeling a little dash of spring fever today, too! It's 42 degrees here -- a veritable heat wave -- and I love how I can smell the moist earth in the melting. The sun's out, too, which is always hopeful.

[Sharon]

I like the idea of being at the midpoint between winter and spring. A friend told me she likes January because it puts us that much closer to spring. I think the best thing about January is that it eventually ends.

[Kitty]

Oh, I love the smell of moist earth. Must be the "farming" DNA in me.

"I think the best thing about January is that it eventually ends."

.... and there it went. :D