Let It Go!

I know I am not alone when I say I have a sad little patch of daffodils that just gave up. They are hanging their festive yellow heads down to the ground like they have had it. I know guys. I get it.

Photo by Nolan Keleschenyi

I normally look forward to the daffodils coming up each spring. I inherited them from the lady who we bought our house from 13 years ago this month.  Their vibrant green stems usually pop up underneath a blanket of last year's faded mulch, ushering in the newness of the season.

But this year was different.  When I would walk past them I would say, "Not yet, guys. Hang in there." Our spring weather has been so wacky, I didn't want their beauty to be wasted on a winter that refuses to leave. But they didn't listen. They bloomed right on schedule and have been covered with more snow than they probably ever have in the years we have lived here.

Like the flowers, I am trying to shake the cold weather blues. Right now, as I am writing, I am wearing a coat and scarf. I don't want to do that anymore. Not that my pasty white skin is a great alternative, but my pores want to breathe. We get an 80 degree day, like over the weekend and then bam a coating of snow.  I don't want winter pinching me every couple days. This April Fools joke has been the worst and no one is laughing.

What can we do about this? Absolutely nothing. We are Mother Nature's hostages and are waiting for someone, anyone to rescue us. And the kicker is that since the time change we have more hours of daylight to enjoy the gloom. At least before, we could nod off early and call it a day. "What it's only 5:30 p.m.? Well, it is dark outside so I am going to bed." Now it is light until about 8 p.m. and I cannot go to bed with any brightness coming through my curtains and a view of sad foliage trying to survive in unfavorable conditions.

Of course if it wasn't snowing in April we would find something else to complain about, but Tuesday's gripe of the day was the white stuff I had to clear off my windshield. My little guy and I were out with our Steelers' ice scraper taking that layer of frozen precipitation off of our vehicle. All of this done in the shadow of our little daffodils, completely drooped over from the weight of the icy slush.

Then I have what I think is a cherry tree in my backyard. Its lovely pink blossoms are in full splendor, despite the winter that will not quit. I love when the tree blooms yet I know the beauty is temporary. The gale force winds from Sunday night blew quite a few of those blooms off the tree which made our car, parked in the driveway, look like it was decorated for a wedding, like the kind Elsa from Disney's Frozen would have. Pink buds and a blanket so snow - I'm sorry but I'm ready to Let It Go!

I'm not sure what to make of this horrible spring. I think we all just want some consistency with extended warm weather, which we are desperately in need of, to boost our spirits. Have you heard anyone say, "Oh, great, more snow," and mean it? Or, "Yay, another coating! This is the best spring ever!" If you have please let me know. I would like to meet this unique individual and find out what makes them tick.

Maybe like me you have turned to sweets to overcome this weather confusion. Between this week's pint of Ben and Jerry's and the double donuts at work on Tuesday, this technique is keeping me going by adding some extra insulation to my weary bones. If I still have to wear a winter coat then another helping of dessert please. I'm drowning my sorrows in sugary goodness.

So where does it end? Who knows. According to the National Weather Service, the latest snowfall on record here in Pittsburgh was on May 31, 1893. It was only a trace of snow 125 years ago, but 0.5 inches of snow fell on May 25, 1925 and three inches were measured on May 9, 1966. It looks like we might have to wait until June to call it officially over for winter. But that is ok. From there we will have three months before it starts all over again. The earliest snow was recorded on September 23, 1989.