Eighty-three degrees. We are not yet halfway through April, and the temperature this afternoon is eighty-three degrees. Dave Rexroth, chief meteorologist for Channel 7 Action News, says we may get snow next week, but today we have eighty-three degrees.
The weather is prompting odd behaviors. This morning, for instance, I saw a man putting his snow shovel in his garage. This is not where Michiganders’ snow shovels reside in the month of April. They maintain vigil on people’s front porches, where they’re handy for householders trying to clear paths through late-season snows. The man was wearing shorts. And sandals. And he was smiling. I mentioned the incident to my husband, who confessed that he, too, had put away one of our snow shovels. His snow shovel, he hastened to add; mine is still on the porch.
Our dog pays no heed to what month it is, or to prudence. He’s plunged himself right into grass rolling. This is a hot-weather behavior. Rascal is a thick-coated black dog who gets hot on summer walks. So he takes breaks, as needed, during which he lies down in the grass. If just lying down in the grass doesn’t cool him down promptly, he moves on to the next step: rolling.
Now, the dog doesn’t just throw himself into grass rolling. This is a precise maneuver. It starts with the rubbing of the doggy face, in a forward motion, along the grass, resulting in a sort of Slip-N-Slide slither. Once this step is complete, the dog may move on to full-body rolling and wriggling. Oh, let’s be serious, he will move on to rolling and wriggling, with a look of bliss on his little doggy face.
Roll and wriggle continues until the dog checks whether he’s had enough. You can tell this is what’s happening by how, in the prone position, he tilts his head first one way and then the other. And then reinitiates the rolling sequence, from the slither to the bliss. After that, he’s amenable to returning to our regularly scheduled walking program.
The plants seem confused, as if they’ve been caught flat-footed and feel they need to rush to make up for it. For instance, in Sugarbush woods yesterday, I noted with pleasure the appearance of trout lily foliage. No flowers yet, but the lovely, speckled-like-brook-trout leaves were coming right along. Today, in the woods by Thurston Pond, the trout lilies were blooming—as far as I could tell, every last one of them. Not to mention the bloodroot, blooming in profusion in the Thurston woods.
After this morning’s walk, I reported to my husband that I’d seen a star magnolia in bloom. It wasn’t in full bloom, but it was well on its way. Immediately after that, we ran an errand together, during which we saw a number of star magnolias. In full bloom. On the way home, we saw non-star magnolias, the kind with grand, pink flowers, starting to bloom. We went out again this afternoon, and these magnolias were in full bloom. Furthermore, fruit trees are starting to bloom. I saw a redbud at its peak. The buds hadn’t even colored up yet yesterday morning.
I think often of my late mother-in-law at this time of year, when the trees are feathering out with fattening buds, early flowers, and the first signs of leaves. She lost her vision to glaucoma, so I would describe to her what I saw. At the rate spring is progressing in the last couple days, we would need to be in constant communication. She no longer needs a commentary, but she would still enjoy one. We could create one together. I miss her. Monday was her birthday.
Things were hopping at the Thrift Shop today. Lots of people were out enjoying the weather and shopping, and their purchases reflected their high spirits. Springy colors were the order of the day, along with accessories for brightening outfits and homes—one’s outlook in general. This wasn’t a day for electronics; it was one for pillows and vases and craft materials and scarves and handbags. One person alone bought thirteen necklaces.
The item I most enjoyed seeing cross the checkout counter was a small, elegant, silver salver. “Are you going to use it to bring notes and cards to your sweethearts?” I asked the customer. “You know, I hadn’t thought of that,” she answered. “I was just going to put a bottle of wine on it.” Further suggestions flowed in, and everyone in earshot enjoyed a chuckle. As some of our CoVid measures are being relaxed, the shop’s growing more convivial again. Happy spring, everyone. Happy spring.
14 April 2023