Middle of Winter

We’ve had cold, dark, cloudy, and frequently rainy days here for awhile now. It’s kind of dreary.  Typically winter, but a time to enjoy some indoor comforts like homemade hot soup and knitting.  Everything to its season.

Legend has it that on February 2, if a groundhog comes out of its hole and sees its shadow there will be six more weeks of winter.  If the day is cloudy (no shadow), then spring is just around the corner.

In fact, according to the calendar, February 2nd is the exact midpoint between the first day of winter and the first day of spring.  Winter is officially half over!

Today we’re enjoying a bright, beautiful sunny day here in Bellingham.  So I guess it’s six more weeks of winter for us.  I would expect at least six more weeks of winter-like weather for us regardless of whether or not a groundhog could see its shadow, because winters are long here, lasting well into spring.

The trees are bare; not even close to budding out.  Finding some parsley in last year’s vegetable garden was a surprise, but we’ve had a fairly mild winter so far.

Today is lovely.  Sunny with temps in the low 50s.

The roses are fully dormant and ready to be pruned. Fred took care of the pruning, and they’re all ready for budding out in spring.

Sophie - sniffing around the garden, probably searching for a piece of rawhide she buried there.  She likes to let them cure in the damp soil until they’re floppy and gross, then she brings the dirty things into the house to chew on.  She’s a weird dog.

The sun is staying up noticeably longer now. It doesn’t set until after five, and darkness doesn’t set in until a half hour after that.  It’s late afternoon now, and back into the 40s outside, the shadows lengthening.  It is clearly still winter.  So we’ll continue with our indoor activities a bit longer while we wait for warmer days.

Cindy