Where is the Spring????

[Turnip]

By the way, are Easter bonfires or similar fire rites a common custom in the Americas too?

 

[Tiki Tom]

By the way, are Easter bonfires or similar fire rites a common custom in the Americas too?

Thanks for posting this. I’ve never heard of an Easter Bonfire in North America, although I’m happy to be corrected. A few years ago I went to a really great one in a small town (Niedenstein, near Kassel) in Germany. It was organized by the fire department and the bonfire was literally as big as a house. It was so hot you had to stand at least 50 feet away from it. The whole town attended and it was very festive and fun. Lots of good beer and excellent bratwurst. My understanding is that the Spring bonfires to drive out winter (and evil and witches) was yet another pagan tradition that was co-opted by Christianity. Walpurgisnacht, night of April 30 to May 1, is the exact same deal... originally a pagan bonfire night to drive away winter turned into a night to celebrate Saint Walpugis (who battled Paganism) but now I guess it has sort of reclaimed its Halloweenish roots and is a witches dance again. Is that about right?? Anyway, it all goes back to preChristian celebrations to drive away Winter in the thick forests of Central Europe.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Unexpectedly, we got a half inch of snow today. Very pretty. Just a few days ago it seemed like Spring had arrived.

 

[Harp]

Chicago is now in spring. Winter has chased away her cold, ice, and snow.

 

[Zombie_61]

By the way, are Easter bonfires or similar fire rites a common custom in the Americas too?

Yes, but only by drunken rednecks who dropped their cigarette onto the couch and set it on fire.

 

[Bushman]

It's been in the mid to upper 60s this week, with a brisk breeze.

Spring is definitely here!

 

[Trenchfriend]

Regular cold March in old Germany, now.

 

[Harp]

It's been in the mid to upper 60s this week, with a brisk breeze.

Spring is definitely here!

Still cold this morning waiting for the 06.20 Rock Island. Woodstock Willie nailed it.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Snowing this morning (Friday, 19 March). Spring officially arrives tomorrow. We are supposed to have intermittent snow and/or hail today and tomorrow. I don't think it will stick. I still think its pretty. May have to put on some Christmas music as a last hurrah.

 

[Harp]

Lovely photo. Coffee sipped outside in back on a day like this in Vienna.

 

[Bushman]

Light dusting of snow a few days ago, but it's here otherwise! Backyard looking like an Alfred Hitchcock movie!

 

[Tiki Tom]

I was wrong. Overnight, the snow stuck. Woke up to a half inch of fresh snow and it is still coming down! Happy first day of Spring! Fortunately, the Mrs and I ran our errands yesterday. So we can just sit and sip our coffee and watch it fall.

 

[Harp]

Yesterday morning I rode the 06.20 Rock Island to Chicago's LaSalle Street station and the train
passed the Illinois Institute of Technology campus. Lacrosse game was being played, lotza kids helmet
and stick, much more than were on the train, these stay=at=home covid work times.
Spring looks the ticket.

 

[tonyb]

A week ago we were digging out from a blizzard. Sideways snow for hours on end the day before.

Yesterday it was pushing 70. Lawns soggy with melting snow. Dogs tracking it in.

In the six-plus years I’ve lived here, I’ve seen 70 degree days in January, an 80 degree day in February, and I’ve seen it snow as late as May 21.

Gardening is a challenge.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Despite the frosty temps and snow flurries, we put up our Easter Egg tree on Sunday (blown, hand painted eggs hung on pussy-willow branches). Very traditional. Sipped a glass of the local sparkling wine (sekt) and listened to Bach as we decorated. Unfortunately the Easter Markets are again closed this year. But Easter is almost here. Spring is almost here. Next weekend its supposed to be sunny and in the low 60s. Fingers crossed.

 

[Harp]

Despite the frosty temps and snow flurries, we put up our Easter Egg tree on Sunday (blown, hand painted eggs hung on pussy-willow branches). Very traditional. Sipped a glass of the local sparkling wine (sekt) and listened to Bach as we decorated.

Bach violin concerto #2, Lancers Portuguese vino, and sardines, saltines, mustard with the New York Times.

 

[Tiki Tom]

^^^ I, too, am a sardine lover. Sometimes I feel like an outcast... my wife and daughters DETEST sardines. It’s on the rare day when I am home alone that I get to indulge that dark side of my personality. Have never tried them with mustard. Perhaps next time.

 

[Bushman]

Spring has sprung!

 

[Zombie_61]

Today the high temps in this part of the world are hovering around 80°F. Tomorrow the weather monkeys are guesstimating 90°F, then lower to upper 80s (°F) until Friday. Spring? We may have jumped right into early summer.

 

[Harp]

Trench coat and umbrella this morning while waiting the Rock Island train. Spring is here, hope she stays.