Swinter Comes To St. Louis With a Vengeance

Ah the post cards from Florida and Arizona and California. Eighty degrees and sunshine-wish you were here? Remember those days? We’d send out post cards from Florida, just to make those stuck back at home turn green with envy.

In Maine, its so warm (70 degrees), the kids are skiing in swim suits. They simply call it "Swinter."

Looks like the tables have rotated. Maybe, the worm has turned?

All the folks left behind at home are enjoying equal or better weather than all the exotic ports around the globe. Those basking in the sunshine in Cancun, at South Padre Island and Destin, FL on spring break are no better off than those of us stuck behind at home.

This weather is unreal. The tulips are blooming, the grass is growing like crazy. Lawn mowers are buzzing all over the neighborhood. One thing we can count on for sure, Mother Nature will back track on us big time.

Sometime soon, we’ll be back to cool, temperate climates. A wave of cold rain will soak the region. Let’s just hope we don’t go back to a hard freeze to ruin all the vegetation that came up way too soon.

To think, we got just one real snow storm this winter, and it was a whopping one and a half inches. My plowing service did my driveway and walk quickly before it melted on its own. One year ago, we were getting a couple of snow storms a week. Measurements were in feet, not inches.

What a difference a year makes.

I love spring. Hot or cold, the school kids have changed to shorts and tees. Warm or not, by golly, the kids are breaking out the shorts even if that means freezing to death.  At least this time, the shorts seem appropriate for the moment.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to spend spring break at the beach or hiking the mountains of Colorado. Many of us are stuck at home. Sure, we’re envious of those who are on the beach, soaking up the sun.

This is a great time of the year, just to walk around Tilles Park or Forest Park. This is the moment to get the bike out of the garage and pump some air into those flat tires. The bike paths will be swarmed with bikers by this weekend.

Better get out and enjoy it while it lasts.

Sometimes I just scratch my head when I see bikers and street runners in the snow and cold weather. The heartiest of the souls will ride their bikes or jog in any extreme weather. I guess you’ve just got to tip your hat to that.

Some golfers will put on parkas and mittens and hit the links. Not me. I’m not going out there until every day is a regular 70 degrees. I don’t believe in rushing the season.

For those on spring break, enjoy the weather. Make the most of it and get out of doors. The air couldn’t smell any fresher than it does right now.