Climate Change

What is going on with this weather? These pictures were all taken January 5th, and though we have all truly enjoyed each and every moment spent outside this "winter" I can't help but pine for snow. This fall I devised a plan to stay outside with the kids as much as possible through the winter. I stocked up on boots, snowsuits, and gloves for all the kids figuring that we would just bundle and go. Freezing temps be damned, we would play outside! Well, Lola's boots are caked with mud, the snow suits hang in a closet unused, and I can't so much as keep a sweater on Georgia. 

  

As an unfortunate consequence of all this "good weather", I am suffering from premature spring fever. Instead if sitting on my couch knitting and drinking tea, I am pacing our yard frantically scheming about where to put hugelkultur beds and a chicken coop. Perhaps if the world was covered in a blanket of snow I could forget all the piles of wood to be dealt with and the garden beds to be created in the new patches of sunlight created by Smoochy's clear-cutting.. Instead, I look out and I want to start digging in the dirt NOW. I have started a little bit. But, I feel thwarted by my inability to wield the massive muscle power of a man. Plus, my dear sweet  sweet hubby has to spend his time elsewhere... like at his pesky JOB. What I really want is a man-slave to put to work building fence, lugging wood, digging out garden beds, building wood sheds, putting on our missing balcony, mulching tree debris, and whatever else I deem to be of importance. I might need to slow my roll before I drive myself (and Smoochy) absolutely crazy. Oops, too late. 

Yesterday we had a wee bit of snow. It was so soothing. But, it wasn't enough to blanket anything and will be melted in a few days. So, we're still caught in this strange purgatory between fall and winter that feels like it will never end. I have become so dependent on the cycle of seasons in the few short years I have enjoyed them. It's funny, in spring, when the world looks all brown and muddy like it does now, I think it looks fresh and full of possibility. Now, I look out and think how the landscape looks worn out and exhausted. The earth looks tired... like it just wants to be put to bed already. Two years ago it dumped so much snow we were all praying for it to end, now i'm praying winter would hurry up and come already. I suppose it goes to show the grass is always greener. At least he kids are loving it!