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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Spring, Where Art Thou???

When you live in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan, you expect spring to be slow in coming. When it finally breaks, you rejoice!

So, grabbing my camera a few days ago, I captured some more crocuses on a beautiful 68 degree, sunny day:


I worked in the garden, getting one clear of old mulch and getting the bed ready for new fertilizer and fresh mulch.

I raked most of the yard free of old leaves and could see fresh green grass coming up underneath.

We babysat our grandkids and the morning after they left, I became sick with some nasty throat infection. But even WORSE, when I woke up, this is what I saw outside the window:

WHAT????? Where is the green grass? The crocuses? The sun?? Was I dreaming???

Upon closer look, this is also what I saw:




Spring decided to go back to sleep. It snowed for two days solid! (It just stopped this morning!~)

We have gotten over a FOOT of snow! So here are some more pictures of our spring snowstorm. According to the local weather reports, we have never received this much snow so late in the spring for over the last ten years. (Oh Joy!)


This is facing the lake out of our back door/glass windows:



This is our lakeshore that I previously showed you (where the ice was melting before!):





This is a stream that feeds the west end of the lake:





Some snow-laden branches in our back yard:



A close-up of our dock, waiting for the lake's ice to go away. (It has time for another nap, too, I am afraid!):



This is a picture of our front door yesterday morning:



Anyone care for a glass of lemonade in my front yard (under my apple trees?) Bring your own long underwear to keep warm!:



At least I picked a good couple of days to get sick. We couldn't go anywhere because the roads aren't plowed well. I bundled up for some photos and then scooted back in for a hot cup of coffee and to blog.

Send me some spring????? I need your help to get some back!!! Actually, the weather report today said that we are expecting the high 60's back by Friday. The saying here is: "when you live in the U.P....if you don't like the weather, don't worry. Wait 5 minutes. It will change!"


28 comments:

A New England Life said...

Isn't that awful. I'm surprised and thankful it's not us! We're headed for the 80's this week-end and I can't wait! This has been the longest spring in history! At least it feels like it.

Love the new format. It really shows off your pictures. Enough with the snow already! lol! Glad you're feeling better too!

Sharon

Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

Oh dear. Winter just doesn't want to quit, does it? We've had rain and cold air here, but no snow. And we're farther up north than you!

I'll send warm vibes your way, and hope the snow is gone soon.

Unknown said...

Awesome photos! Left you something on my blog today. Enjoy.

Ramblin Mama said...

So sorry about your weather! I thought we had a tough "Spring" as it has been chillier than the norm and really gray but we have actually had less snow this winter than most. (I KNOW, we are in the minority!) We had frost on the cars on Friday but should hit 80 this Friday. I'll send you lots of WARM thoughts!

Anonymous said...

OMG!!! That gives me chills. We are sunny and green here in East Tennessee. My family and I took several camping trips to the U.P. - Lake Fannie Ho. We loved it there.

Melissa said...

LOL!!! New Hampshire weather is similar. We have been having spring like temperatures - 50's - for a couple of weeks now. But yesterday it was cold and rainy. I don't put the winter gear (hats, boots, mittens) away until May.... we have been know to get a foot or two toward the end of April before, lol!

Joanie said...

man! you just can't catch a break there!

Anonymous said...

Those are great pictures. What kind of camera do you use?

Anonymous said...

Those are great pictures. What kind of a camera do you use?

rainfield61 said...

You have such a good view from your house. You must be the happiest lady around.
Shift to my website, I'll show you the spring.

dreamwalker said...

These photos are so beautiful! And your new look is pretty good, too!

Ann said...

You know that day it snowed I noticed on your weather deal it said snow and I thought you must live in Oklahoma. Your snow pics are beautiful. I love snow pictures. You need to do a book of your photos because you have such neat things to photograph and you get such great pics.

Roshni said...

what spectacular pictures! Though it may not be fun for you!
Please please tell me your camera model and make. We are thinking of buying a new one now!

Shelley said...

I can't believe all that snow you have!! My gosh - it looks like the middle of winter up there! This has to be the last of it! I'll being you some hot cocoa next time I pass thru the U.P.!

J.J. in L.A. said...

I'm sorry Spring decided to pack up it's toys and go home but those pictures are GORGEOUS!

We had 3 days of temps in the high 90's! Not fun.

The Retired One said...

A New England Life: Yes, I love the new layout. Thanks SO much for walking me through it and giving me the courage to change it. I will post some more snow pictures tomorrow. It was sunny today and in the 40's so it is starting to melt (again!) thank goodness!

Mary: yes, we get that "dumping" from the air coming over Lake Superior and picking up moisture. It is supposed to get in the 60's by Friday, so spring should come back quickly.

Gaston: I will go over to your blog in just a few minutes...thanks!

Ramblin Mama: In the 80's???? You lucky woman! Put on the bikini and wash the car outside!

DiBear: To Fanny Ho? We've been there many times..up in the Copper country. Love it there too. What time of year did you go there? Was in autumn when the leaves were in full color? Did you get up to Mount Brockway Drive too? And see the Fort?

Melissa: It is already melting, thank goodness. Supposed to be in the 60's by Friday. Here we go again. No wonder my poor body got a cold! It is confused!

Joanie M.: It is normal up here,but once we get really nice spring weather after our long winters, it is always a bummer. At least we know it never lasts long this time of year.

Linda: I will post the specifics tomorrow on the camera. I just got it at Xmas and am still experimenting with it. It is a Panasonic but I will get the model number out and let everyone know more about it so stay tuned. I love it. It has automatic settings and a really easy to use zoom. I am taking a one day class in June to learn how to use it even better.

Rainfield: I love looking at your tropics and spring...I go to your website everyday to enjoy it!

Dreamwalker: Thanks! I will be posting more over the next few days!

GrannyAnn: Thanks SO much..what nice compliments. I have JUST started with amateur photography and found that I love it. I signed up for a one day class (which will take place in June) to learn how to use my camera even better...so my poor blogging buddies will see LOTS of posts of more of my attempts to get better.

Roshni: Please see tomorrow's post. I will get out the model number and tell everyone more about my camera. I just got it at Xmas and I love it. It is a point and shoot but also has a way to play with the settings once you get better. I used my automatic setting and easy to use zoom on all of these...you will love this model if you get one!

Shellmo: It is a deal! ha I got some eagle pictures yesterday, but it was snowing so hard they didn't come out clear (dang!) I wlll post them anyway tomorrow or the next day!

JJ: thanks honey! I will be posting more tomorrow. Stay tuned. Most of the snow is all melted off the trees already today..and just snow on the ground now. Send me some of that warmth, will ya?

Anjanette Young said...

It is so beautiful, well all the pics. Its hard to appreciate the snow when I am ready for spring...

Ryan said...

Hi,

Great blog and beautiful images. I love the picture of the bumblebee working over the flower.

Thanks for sharing :)

Ryan

Insanitykim said...

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH!

I can SO relate Joan! The pictures are very beautiful, but, what a NIGHTMARE!

I am not sure how I will acclimate going back to AK when we are done here in KY...but at least I know this happens to friends in the lower 48 too!!!

Rick (Ratty) said...

At least you know it will begin to warm up soon. We've had similar storms down here, but ours have been in the form of rain. One of these times you'll look out and see green instead of white.

Rick (Ratty) said...

Oh, I almost forgot. This is the first time I'm seeing your blog's new look. I really like this a lot. Everything seems much more orderly, and I always like the templates that stretch to fill the screen.

The Retired One said...

Momma Young: Yes, it really was spectacular. I have to embrace its beauty and know that probably in a week or less, it will all be melted and we will be enjoying the march on of spring!

Ryan: thanks! Are you new to my blog? Join on as a Follower!!! Love to have you regularly visit here!

Insanity Kim: It is beautiful..we live in a gorgeous part of the country. It is the price we pay for our beauty.

Ratty: Thanks! I really like it too. I wanted to be able to have my photos bigger and A NEW ENGLAND LIFE's site was so gorgeous with her photos, I asked her which template she used. It is Minima Stretch if anyone else is interested! It really does make a picture look great! Your squirrels would look gorgeous too!

Rural Rambler said...

First let me say that I'm sorry about your snow but it makes for beautiful photos of your home and property. It was 79 in Missouri today-sorry. I found your blog through Shellmo's blog who doesn't know how much I am enjoying her blog with Marvin 'cause I haven't told her yet that I found her blog through Gardener's Garden whose blog I thoroughly enjoy and she inspired me to blog-whew!!! So I just wanted to say how much I like coming here and enjoying the view!

Sharkbytes said...

OH... I saw on the weather forecast that Marquette had a 70 degree day, and I thought "that won't last!" I did forget that you are up in that neighborhood too. Hey, is your name Joan?

Loree said...

I know y ou're desperate for spring but I have to say that the snow looks really beautiful. But I guess that's coming from someone who never has to deal with it. Would love to send you some spring but this year, t's even late here in the Med. We've had rain and wind and grey skies for the past 5 days :(

The Retired One said...

Rural Rambler: Welcome aboard! I am so glad you found my blog! If you haven't officially joined on as a Follower yet, please do so!! I am almost at 100 followers now, and I am so excited!!!

Sharkbytes: Yes, my name is Joan! Why, is it possible that we know each other?

Loree: Yes it is very beautiful, I have to admit that! I am putting up 2 more posts of pictures and then we (hopefully!) will have more spring pictures after that! I haven't completed my 40 signs of spring list yet. It is time, no???? ha

Maniacal Mommy said...

Holy cow, I had no idea you guys got that much snow! We just had the arctic wind here in the LP. Cold, damp, no sun, run away to Florida kind of weather. Had it snowed that much here, I probably would have taken to my bed and just wept.

The Retired One said...

Maniacal: We usually go to Florida or Mexico for a week or so every winter to get away from the cold and snow. But now, I need spring...BAD!!!!
I am actually in Lansing today (Sunday) and it is in the 80's and they have a lot of green and flowers...my hubby said the U.P.'s snow is now all melted up there, so at least when I get back I won't have snow to deal with!!!

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I retired in June 2008 and started my blog in November 2008. I worked at several jobs as a Registered Nurse prior to retirement. I LOVE being retired! Blogging has offered me a whole new venue to start writing again and to share new hobbies such as gardening, birdwatching and sharing my nature photography. If you like my blog, PLEASE click on "follow this blog". Having a lot of followers reading my blog gives me incentive to continue to do photography and to continue to write. I also LOVE comments, so I encourage you to leave me a comment after you read my posts. Thanks everyone, for taking the time to read me!!

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