Or maybe it never left. Like the bears and the groundhog, winter may have been only hibernating and it’s about to wake up and roar at us. At least, the weatherman hinted at something like that.
The Farmer’s Almanac has some pretty neat winter sayings. Here are a couple I particularly like: One kind word can warm three winter months; Snowmen fall from heaven…unassembled; Whether the weather be fine, whether the weather be not, whether the weather be cold, whether the weather be hot, we’ll weather the weather, whether we like it or not.
My daughter-in-law has some lovely lavender and white striped crocus up in her yard. They are beautiful and remind me that spring is somewhere out there in the future. My son brought me an early Valentine yesterday–a lovely bouquet of red tulips. I can’t remember the last time I had tulips. This thoughtful gift certainly brightened a drab day.
We’ve always had four seasons and I’m afraid we tend to complain about each one. We should enjoy them the best we can, knowing that before long the cold weather will turn warm then hot; cool, then cold, and like the children’s book, The Four Puppies, we’ll find something to enjoy about each one.
In each of the five cozies I’ve written, weather plays a big part. Maybe the reason is that I like weather changes. When a storm is afoot, I confess, I think it is exciting. Moonlight Can Be Murder takes place in December with a lot of snow on the ground. The Cemetery Club happens in the month of May. Grave Shift is a fallish sort of book and Best left Buried with all its revelations happens in winter. Grave Heritage, as yet unpublished, takes place in July. 
Not just any July, but the rainiest one that Darcy and Flora have ever experienced. Weather plays a big part in the lives of Ned McNeil, Darcy Campbell and Flora Tucker. I rather think they like weather just as I do.
I sent one comment but I don’t think it worked so will try again! Thanks for the great review for The Widow’s Walk, Blanche. It is very much appreciated. I probably won’t get Moonlight read until I am back in Canada. I seem to be behind in everything! Our trip to Texas this year would make a good mystery story (although no murder was committed!).
Thanks for writing, Sharon. You’re welcome for the review. You are a versatile writer and I can tell you really like history and have delved into your winter state of Texas quite a bit. It has a fascinating, proud history.
Blanche, the poem (Neath the tall and spreading tree, birds and squirrels drink their tea…) that you mentioned in your Feb 27, 2013 blog entry, has been around since at least 1910, though the author is still unknown. My mother taught it to me in the 1950’s in rural Ohio and I taught it to my daughter. Paul Bernhard Hoist originally published the poem in 1910 on page 262 of the book, “Practical Home and School Methods of Study and Instruction in the Fundamental Elements of Education”, as an activity for 4th grade students. It was reprinted in 2013 in “Forgotten Books”. The book may have been forgotten, but clearly, the poem is memorable! http://www.forgottenbooks.com/readbook_text/Practical_Home_and_School_Methods_of_Study_and_Instruction_in_the_1000503145/265
Peggy, thanks so much for writing. I loved your story about the poem. Isn’t it beautiful! I’m glad your mother taught you the poem and you taught your daughter. I think memorizing poetry is really important for many reasons and what we memorize as a child stays with us. My mom, in her 80s, could recite poetry she learned as a child. Please write again. I loved hearing from you.