This unusually warm March hadn't really captured my attention so much until yesterday when I learned that Chicago and other spots north were warmer than Phoenix for the day. Now just wait a minute! What's going on here?
As we drive around northeastern PA, we see blooming daffodils, grass turning green, geese flying north noisily, and forsythia and lilac nearly blooming in our own yard. The cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. are way ahead of schedule as well. We all wonder whether it will suddenly turn cold and snow, or is this it for the winter that never really happened?
The downside, I hear, is that allergy season will be unusually long and miserable, but I do hope the cold doesn't return until late next fall. Spring is good for the soul. As flowers bloom and grass grows, we unwrap ourselves from heavy coats and gloves and open ourselves up to the outdoors. We turn off the heat and open the house to bring in fresh air, and we (most of us anyhow) clean the house top to bottom which I suppose is also good for the soul although bad for the knees.
A good thing for where I live is that the natural gas industry was able to work all through the mild winter and things are happening fast. Their trucks and equipment tore up our road, but they paid to have it repaved so now it's better than it has been in a long time. Well pads and pipelines are popping up faster than the daffodils. When I see all the people working in this industry, I think how many more would be unemployed if we didn't have the Marcellus Shale. Not only that, the gas companies pay well. It's hard work but worth it. We're looking forward to royalty checks of course to take care of us in the future, but I've seen a lot of good come from the natural gas industry presence in our county.
When we moved here 17 years ago, this was a quiet place with many summer cottages. Now it's the site of a booming industry and the quiet is gone for the duration. I miss the peacefulness but it's good to see the benefit to the people. Next will be contractors remodeling and building, landscapers making everyone's yard look great, and the elderly people around here having a more secure and happy life. Not everyone agrees with me of course; this is just my take on what happening.
I'm in a very optimistic mood. Please, Mother Nature, don't snow on my hope and happiness.
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The weather is definitely being weird. Today it's freezing in Tucson, but tomorrow will be back in the 80's. And all sorts of animals are coming out of hibernation early.
ReplyDeleteI love the warmth today in Ohio. The birds are out in full force and the sunlight is pouring in. I am now on my way out!
ReplyDeleteThe difference between fracking in the USA and in Canada: there, you are paid for what is taken from under your property here in Canada, our property rights/ownership don't extend below the surface. We'd lose the peacefulness and not benefit in any way.
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't realize you don't own the mineral rights to your own land. That's nuts. We're in our 70s and this should take care of us for the rest of our life which is of course a huge burden off of our backs.
DeleteI hope winter is over for good this year and no more snow!
ReplyDeleteWe had a record high of 88 degrees for the last day of winter. I love warm weather, but this is a little too warm a little too early for me. We've had our air conditioner on for a week now.
ReplyDeleteWinter moved west and hit Portland! We've even had a little snow today and the last several days -- very unusual for us!
ReplyDeleteThanks you for your positive comments about how the natural gas industry has changed where you live. I appreciate learning more and hearing from someone who is actually affected by what is going on.
It's scary isn't it? 80 here today in March. What will August be like??
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments. It seems this winter has been weird all across the country. Snow in Oregon, very warm everywhere else! Let's all hope for a great summer for everyone.
ReplyDeleteWe usually have blizzards in March in PA. I don't like this a bit.
ReplyDeleteAs a beneficiary of an 80 degree week in Chicago, I'm loving the early spring. Although the early allergy season is not much fun.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, I love Chicago (used to live in Algonquin and originally from Springfield, IL) but I believe winter there is definitely a test of one's character. I can remember being down by the aquarium on a windy 10 degree day one winter. That's something you never forget. The warm days in March must have been a real treat.
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