Yes he has a lot to answer for this year hasn't he? Two-faced as he is he has sent storms, floods, a volcanic eruption in Iceland; then he has taunted us this week with the warmest day ever recorded:19.6C in a most beautiful little village in Wester Ross in Scotland (hotter than Rome or Cote d'Azur!). As the two-faced one disappears for another year he has one last taunt - for us here in the Yorkshire Dales - a dark, dismal, pouring-wet day. It is 11.20am here - I have completed The Times Mind Games (well, the ones I do every weekday), read my e mails and answered the one or two that needed an answer, cleared out my Spam and Trash files and I am sitting at my Laptop and he is still beating on my window. Yesterday for the first time in weeks my patio was completely dry.
My garden is steep and is landscaped with a couple of retaining walls to hold back the rockery. Where the bottom wall meets the patio there is a row of small drain holes all the way along to allow the water to drain out - and drain out it does. Until yesterday. Suddenly all the surplus water had drained away. Back to January 'normal' now as Janus empties gallons of the stuff out of great black storm clouds. I, like most people in this country at least, will be glad to wave goodbye to Janus - the two faced one - the day after tomorrow. And then folk will speculate on what February will bring (I don't think he is named after a god). One thing is certain - the old adage 'January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow' does hold any longer does it?
I don't want to go on about 'the good old days' but I do know that when I was a child the sledge was always at the front of the shed, given a cursory wash and brush up and ready to go. I would hazard a guess that there are very few sheds on this estate that even hold a sledge.
So, brace yourselves for February in the sure and certain knowledge that anything might happen where the weather is concerned - hottest/coldest recorded day - one year during the six years I have lived here - we had snow and it lasted a fortnight on the ground; another year we had absolutely no rain at all in what used to be called 'February fill-dyke' in Lincolnshire when I was a child.
I wonder what would happen if we did away with months and consigned their names to the history books; decided to just have one big year with no such things as seasons (they no long hold good do they?). That would mean we are on day 29 this year.
By my calculations (maths of any kind not my strong point) that would make the new tax year begin on day 97 and my 92nd birthday (if I am still here) will be on Day 305. Fancy the idea?
Just a thought but I bet it would smarten up our arithmetic by the end of the year.
Have a good day/
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31 comments:
Have a lovely day too dear Pat.
Here in South Germany, January has seen everything from biting frost to snow to storm to rain to golden sunshine and azure blue skies. The first snowdrops are out, I have spotted a few lone daisies here and there, and my Mum reported a bee on her balcony some time last week.
February has often been colder than December and January in my neck of the woods, and it could be the same this year - or not; we'll see! I for one shall try to make the most of the sunny days and stick largely to indoor activities when it's wet and windy.
I do hope you're still here to celebrate Day 305, Pat!
After a lifetime in wet West Wales I'm used to heavy rainfall, but this year seems to have been particularly bad. It's not the wetness I object to, but the dimness that comes with it. Still, shoots are shooting up. February will see the days lengthen more. Spring IS on its way!
To me this wet weather is a curse
MUDDY PAW PRINTS
Bloody MUDDY PAW PRINTS!!!!!!
Moan as I do about the three grey months after Christmas, I would not like to live in a country which had no seasons. I soon get tired of endless sunshine - no contrast.
It does seem to have been relentlessly wet so far. It would be good to have a spell of dry, preferably mild, weather for a while.
I have trouble keeping track of what day it is anyway! So we shouldn't change anything now or I will get even more confused?! :)
It's finally warming up a bit here now and the snow is finally melting away, altho, there are still piles here and there.
Like you, here in the south we have had a full range of weather conditions so far but after a day full of Springlike sunshine and warmth yesterday, today is very mild with hazy sunshine. Don't forget that "The Beast from the East" didn't occur until March so we still have some way to go to avoid enduring bad weather conditions.
Guaranteed to make me laugh John!
I, too, love the seasons and will be sad if they get same-same with little variation. I also vote for names for the months as math isn't my strong suit either.
We had almost 9" of rain in December and more than 6" of rain this month. We may have slipped southward toward North Carolina because, globally speaking, it's downhill!
You've reminded me of one of my favorite authors, Elly Griffiths, whose first (?) book in the Ruth Galloway series (love it!) is "The Janus Stone." Do read her books in order if you like mystery books about a forensic anthropologist helping the police.
Hugs!
It is definitely wet and soggy in Massachusetts. We got a few new inches of new snow (which started as rain) last night and everything is white again. Prior to the rain and then snow, the ground was soft and muddy. Yesterday, a fox ran down my driveway and his legs were solid mud. Typical Winter in Massachusetts means snowfall and this year has shown improvement over the previous year and lack of snow. I love the 4 seasons even when we have dramatic swings in weather conditions.
Imbolc or Saint Bride or Bridget arrives next week (1st or 2nd February?)
From the forecast it appears that January will be blown away on another storm on Wednesday...enough, we cry!!
We were battered by the wind and rain enough yesterday...and then it was still and calm overnight.
Did you take the leap year into account? It would be very confusing to have your birthday on a differently numbered day!
I would keep the four seasons. Even now amongst all the bad weather there are signs of Spring, the growing of the plants is always something to look forward to.
I live in Florida...three years now...near family...the weather is fantastic, and we really cannot complain. I do NOT miss the snow...I enjoy your blog...thought provoking...also prayers. Take care...you are well loved...
If we had no months we would all be able to say what day of the week any particular date in any particular year fell. That would bring down to size those who can do it already.
We obviously have the 4 colonial seasons here, but the Indigenous seasons can vary from anywhere between 6 and 8, and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has provided interesting insights and clarification, after a great amount of consultation. Each state or area of Australia has their own indigenous name for each of these seasons, and the different astrological, insect, animal and botanical and ceremonial happenings at that time. I find it all quite beautiful and fascinating ...so, no, no vote from me to abolish the seasons Pat!
I love all 4 seasons, or eight of them! - Much love to you... from Pam.
It is snowing here today after several days of rain...to echo John, mud...mud...bloody mud! We have had bitter cold along with 55° weather. High winds. Rainbows. Janus has more than two faces, it seems. Spring is coming and the pictures of flowers elsewhere are very encouraging. I guess I must admit that I like 4 seasons. However, I look forward to some more than others!
It snowed today. That counts for water too, when it melts.
Many years ago I had a diary that had not only the date, but also showed the day number. I could never understood why, and endured the nonsense until day 365.
Oh gosh, Pat, don't confuse me by taking the names of the months away, I have to keep asking Alexa what day it is anyway. This month has shot by in a wet, windy and very very cold way. I wonder what February will be offering up? But at least I now have Snowdrops in my pots in the garden ... I thought some pesky mice had eaten the bulbs.
Georgia USA is hot in the summer but I do love that we have no snow and very little cold weather. We still have seasons so we have decided to stay here for retirement. As for days of the year - just yesterday I wished a young man that I mentored years ago a happy birthday via text and he quickly let me know I was a month early! Even with my "old fashioned" calendar book, I still make mistakes. Jackie
We are spoiled in Colorado with more than our fair share of sunshine year 'round. So much so that I genuinely enjoy the occasional grey and misty day with low clouds wreathing the tops of our nearby hills. With little effort, I am transported to England or Scotland (or Wales, too, I imagine, though I've never been). We have not received much snow in south-central Colorado, and we could use the moisture for sure, but what we have lacked in actual precipitation, we have made up for in cold! Now we are being rewarded with a stretch of warm, springlike, spirit-lifting days. Today's forecast high is 55 degrees F.--or 12.7 Celsius, with "abundant sunshine." I'll welcome it with open arms! As for signs of spring, ha! No such luck here! So I will enjoy the snowdrops that are popping up on IG. What a spectacle--one I would relish seeing in person! Stay warm and cozy in your cottage, Pat!
Our seasons seem to have been totally lost in recent years, and even our climate. I have often said we no longer get either - just weather. I hope February does not live up to it's country name of February Fill Dyke. We have all had more than enough rain to last us several months. Just grey and dismal down here, but mercifully dry for a day or two.
Tasker I will have to think carefully about your reply - early in the morning before I have used up my brain power for the day on the Times Mind Games
Thanks everyone for your replies - seems everyone (almost) wishes to keep the months and the seasons. And it is definitely very good to be saying 'Bulbs coming along nicely, crocus out to meet any available sun.'
Lodged - by Robert Frost
The rain to the wind said
“you push and I’ll pelt.”
They so smote the garden bed
That the flowers actually knelt,
And lay lodged - though not dead.
I know how the flowers felt.
From a long time reader on Long Island, NY, USA - you are an absolute treasure.
We are in the midst of yet another 'atmospheric river' here in No. California. The previous two days were unseasonably warm. That poor Scottish village must have been baking. My girlfriend in LDN mentioned recent temps in the minus Celcius territory.
Take good care,
Bea
Thank you all. I am so touched by your replies.
It is so muddy here too! Dog tracks all over the porch because Buddy can jump the gate. Sigh. Our driveway is a muddy mess too because of big trucks deleting materials for our granddaughter's cabin. What will February bring?
Come on pat, anyone would think you’re not well
Get going on another post girl xx
Thank you John - I needed that boost. I am not feeling 100% at present but will try to put a post on tomorrow - thank you dearheart - I needed someone to say that. x
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