All of last week and mostly so far this week, has been a preview of spring -- or possible an affirmation that the earth is getting hotter, earlier and seasons are shifting their parameters. Thursday was so warm Rachel and I did some errands that us took as far as Orleans -- and, once in Orleans it would have been a shame not to go to Nauset Beach which, as Rachel says, is "real ocean", not the relatively tame "ocean" off Hyannis beaches because the islands, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard protect us from the bigger waves. We were not the only ones who could not resist walking on the same barefoot. Someone was surfboarding (in a body suit! of course) and many people were wandering around just plain enjoying the weather. The new header picture is Nauset Beach which has reasonably serious dunes, much bigger than we have.
The early flowers are up, crocuses and snowdrops and the daffodils are pushing up shoots. In the laundry room a short while ago a neighbor reported that she had "a lovely crop of snow drops but "had" is the important word. This morning all the flowers were gone -- all the plants cropped at exactly the same level. "Rabbits," said she.
"They're hungry," said I, "and they haven't had any nice fresh greens for a long, long time." Most of us look at the lovely sun and mutter to one another that there will be at least one more snow. I think that's probably true ... but then, as I began, the seasons are changing. We usually have iffy springs, warm, cool, rain, spitting snow. But let's see.
