Signs of Spring

[DeniseGoldberg]

A spring skirt? No more complainin' about your New England weather!

I'm certainly hoping that we won't have weather complaints next weekend. The forecast is for Saturday temps in the 50s; although that's a few too many days away to believe, maybe it will surprise us and be true.

That would be fitting payment for the weather wizard's tricks last Saturday when I came very close to being forced to the ground by a sudden blast of wind. OK, OK, it was windy for my entire ride, but there was one blast that absolutely stopped my forward movement. It seemed like forever, but I'm sure it only took a second for my foot to automatically react, heel out and lift - ah, my foot hit the ground before my bike and I fell over! (And not to worry, I'm sure my body would have prevented my bike from getting any scratches...)

--- Denise

[im4smiley]

I went out this past weekend, did about 13 miles on Saturday with my new Felt. Not only am I getting used to a new bike with the drop handlbars, I have to get used to the different shifting and braking and I also have my new bike shoes so I practiced clipping and unclipping and clipping again. Sunday I went for a quick ride around town about 10 miles. I couldn't believe how windy it was, pushed me around a couple of times. I made it up a couple of short steep hills (I was worried about shifting) so now I feel a little more confident about riding my bike. I hate to say it but I am wishing the week away hoping for a nice weekend!!

[Asphaltgirl]

well, DH must be getting antsy with the weather reports for the weekend, 'cause he just called from the bike shop where both bikes are now residing for their annual tune ups! now if I can just stay away from buying a new ride at the bike show in Boston on Friday!
Barb in the Berkshires
~AG~

[Surlygirl]

Wahoooo. Are you guys ready to ride or what? Bring it on. I can't wait to get outside and ride. Anything over 50 and I'm a roadshow!

[QUOTE=Asphaltgirl]well, DH must be getting antsy with the weather reports now if I can just stay away from buying a new ride at the bike show in Boston on Friday!

I thought you said it was your birthday Sounds like a good birthday present to me.

Trekhawk, I did not do the bird count this year but have in the past. I live in the woods so have tons of birds. I even have a couple of Barred Owls that frequent my yard. I taught my kids how to feed the birds from their hands when they were little and they loved it. I keep a camera, binoculars and a bird book in my kitchen.

[newfsmith]

Monday night's rain was warm enough to start the salamander migration, I saw 12 non-survivors on the way to work this morning. (I figured no one would want to see photos.) For the rest of us that means Spring, now I'm waiting for the woodcock dances and spring peepers.

[RoadRaven]

"The buckets are in the sugar bush"????

OK... this is not within my experience, I assume these are buckets converted into bird-feeders? Full of sugar? For robins?

What about ants - don't they bother the buckets?

And as for salamander migrations... nope, didn't even realise they migrated! The closest we have in this country (as far as I know) are axolotyls... in pet shops...

[DeniseGoldberg]

"The buckets are in the sugar bush"????

OK... this is not within my experience, I assume these are buckets converted into bird-feeders? Full of sugar? For robins?

No, they are buckets to collect the sap that is used to make maple syrup. Wonderful sweet syrup for pancakes, French Toast, baking... Here's a link to a New Hampshire Maple Producers web site with an explanation of maple sugaring: http://www.nhmapleproducers.com/abc.htm.

--- Denise

[Nanci]

Man, I miss having salamanders down here in Florida. I _loved_ them in Minnesota! I can remember some spring nights when I would go out in the yard and find 20 or 30 of them! They are the cutest things. I love their smiley little faces, and their little four-finger hands. _So_ easy to keep as pets, too.

Nanci