MARCH -- JUST AROUND THE CORNER

The weather here in our valley makes me think of March. Storms pass in one direction while in the other we see a mix of blue sky and clouds. Daytime temps are warmer while the danger of frost lingers. Blustery winds cool the sun’s warmth. Well, it must be time for March to arrive and the calendar says it's so -- Friday is the day.

In late February and March, we in this region begin to think in terms of spring. Snow may blow elsewhere, but here in the Pacific Inland Northwest, we think winter is over – whether it is or not. We notice signs of spring – trees bud out; snowdrops, crocus and daffodils push through the soil; our perennials show new growth albeit close to the ground; even the iris and the daylilies are getting ready to show their colors. Of course, one’s perceptions will be affected by the altitude at which one lives, but the Lewiston Tribune says all danger of snow is past in Moscow. I wonder how they know. . .

 

Somehow I’m just not ready for this spring-like weather. I’d prefer another month sequestered in the sewing room. I just didn’t accomplish as much as I thought I would this winter, which proves something – just not sure what. But when the weather is sunny and warm, there will be even more distractions.

I appreciate a beautiful day, but I’m not necessarily coaxed outside by the sun. Mike, on the other hand, thinks of outdoor chores and recreation when a sunny day dawns. Saturday the 16^th was such a day. He decided spring had sprung and we should clear our perennial “weed” garden of last year’s growth. We worked most of the morning pulling away the dead to reveal new growth underneath. I hope it wasn’t too soon since we’ve had hard freezes several times since then.

Warmer temperatures bring difficulties with our way of life. We have a small wood stove in the living room, and this time of year we don’t light it until late afternoon or evening. The other night as Mike attempted to light the fire, the chimney refused to draw. Warmer temperatures and wind evidently created an inversion. So there we were with a smoldering fire, and no matter what we tried we just had more smoke in the house. Mike even went up on the roof to be sure the chimney screen wasn’t clogged. Nellie recognized the scenario – yes, it’s happened before -- and betook herself to one of her favorite outdoor haunts to avoid the inevitable sound of the smoke alarm.

In the end, we had to abandon the plan for a pleasant evening’s fire. We opened doors and windows to clear the smoke from the house, and Mike brought in the big fan from the shed and ran it for 15 minutes or so. The smoke alarm announced to the neighborhood that the Warnocks were at it again. Then we did the unthinkable – we let the furnace run for a while. In the morning, with the outdoor temp below freezing, Mike lit a fire in the little stove without problem. KW