February and Spring

I grew up in Tempe, AZ. Spring always came right on time - the middle of February! Valentines Day tradition was to drive over to Alameda Street and see the beautiful cherry blossoms in all their pink and white finery. This was spring, whether or not Mother Nature agreed. 

After I got married, and moved to norther California, spring seemed to come along at the pace of a snail, sometimes not appearing until April. February! That is when spring should be. I longed for the cold days to be over, for the trees to sprout green, and flowers to begin budding. I suppose I was a little home sick at first, but still craved that Feb. spring. 

A few years later, we moved again, to southwest Washington State. A beautiful area, one with 4 real seasons; not just hot and warm (winter), and a week of blossoming cherry trees. Fall, an almost new concept to me was welcomed, colors so vibrant they take my breath away. Winter, also a new concept, held new experiences such as the front door to the house getting iced over and snow drifts baring exit out the back door. There is no escape! Summer varies here, hot, wet and cold, wet and hot, or just plain wet, or dry. Never can predict it, weather just happens. 

I still look for spring in February, and while our trees are not even beginning to bud, the daffodils and crocuses are peaking out of the ground, and budding, waiting for warmer weather to pop open and say spring is on the way. 

February in the Pacific Northwest usually includes a false spring - a week maybe more of warm weather, right around the middle of the month. The master bath in our home has 2 outside walls, a large southern facing wall and a shorter western wall. Both get the majority of sun shine, making the room a hot house in the summer, but prime breading temperature for our resident lady bugs to hatch, or what ever it is they do during this false spring. Look out Valentines Day, the lady bugs are on the loose.

Our Valentines Day cherry blossoms have been replaced by Valentines Day lady bugs. My body still thinks spring should be in the middle of February when I'm ready for warmer days, but I'll take the short break of warmth that we do get, and eagerly wait for the lady bugs to show their red and orange capes, welcoming an early spring.