I'm the grumpy one in front.

I’m feeling blah today. I’m not sure what it is…the ‘Spring Ahead’ clock change this week, the lack of enough coffee (I’m sipping my last cup right now to make it last…it’s cold now), or maybe that it’s Friday the 13th. I do know I’m sick of Winter. Mother Nature was teasing me last weekend with that 70° high (mean woman!). It’s 23° right now and we might hit 50° this weekend…weeee. I feel like a hibernating bear right now. I’m a person who is affected by the weather…I think I was meant to live in the South, although I do enjoy watching the season’s change. I enjoy sunlight. I put 32 windows and four glass doors in our house, and no it’s not that big…I just love natural light. Spring is my favorite season, but the past few years here in Pittsburgh we really haven’t had one. Last year ‘Spring’ was cold and raining everyday, then it went straight to a blazing hot Summer (so no Spring) and unfortunately my Asthma doesn’t enjoy extreme heat of summer. OK, winter is on it’s way out…whinefest over.

I think all of us getting bands this time of year are extremely lucky. I’ve said before that I felt sorry for those getting their bands right before the holidays; especially those in my climate. They must be extremely dedicated…make it through the holidays with no restriction yet and then sit there in the snow all winter. There will be no excuses for me not to be getting enough exercise…I’ll be banded right as Spring begins and will have the nice weather and all the outside activities it brings to look forward to. One more week until the Equinox/first day of Spring (March 20) and I'm hoping it actually arrives and is on time this year. I can’t wait!

Wow!! Loved your photos, yes, I agree WE NEED SPRING!!!

Here in WA state we are seeing some signs of Spring, but have had some snow twice in the past four weeks, and temps in the low 20's so some of those early flowering things might just freeze (I hope not). Hang in there, it'll be hot and humid before you know it.

Nancy B.

Yeah Nancy, we had snow flurries last week too. I used to love snow as a kid, and it's still pretty, but I've had enough. Let Spring BEGIN! Thanks. -BG

Um...I wubs you, BG? Loved the pictures of the snowmen.

Lena in FL :wink_smile:

(Ducks from snowballs from the north flying in)

Ahhh you FL folk! I would give 10# to see a palm tree right now! ...and "Ducks from snowballs"...heehee...cheering me up! Thanks.

Love the pictures. It seems like its taking forever for u to get banded. The doctors are putting you through a lot! Come down here to Louisiana and you will really see an early spring and a very, very hot summer.

Want me to take pictures of my azaleas for you? My sago palms aren't that impressive, I'm sorry to say. I did find out my sagoes are the same cycads the dinosaurs snacked on! Is that cool or what?

-Ahhh Loozzzeeana...Now I want a beignet.

-Azaleas...oh, yes, pretty please...they're blooming aren't they? Mine have frost on them this morning :-( Sagoes...that's cool! We have a Dawn Redwood we planted in our front yard (a rediscovered plant-found them growing in China I believe...they thought was extinct...also from the Dinosaur days...it's a deciduous conifer...looks like a dead pine tree right now).

My azaleas are in bloom right now. I took some pictures the other day.

This is the big pale pink one out back. It’s in full flower right now. Let me dig for some more.

Last one. These are the fuchsia and white azaleas from the side of my house. I love the whites! They seem to almost glow.

I'm still hunting a good picture of the sago palm.

Oh they're beautiful! My heart seriously is leaping...I love gardening. You've cheered me up! Thanks! Love the white one!

Don't get me started on the gardening or we'll be here all day. I'm supposed to start doing my taxes online today. (Sarcastic voice) Joyous. I just love knowing how much the IRS is going to soak me for this year.