The view of local heros The Weaktherthans a few weeks ago at one of my favourite venues in the city. In spite of the occasional burst of snow here and there spring is finally starting to thaw The Prairies out (it’s now 10°C / 50°F out!!) and there are signs of spring everywhere.
These are my favourites:
- Because we use sand on our roads instead of salt, the city looks like it’s slowly climbing out of a sand dune, with just the tops of the buildings and houses starting to break through the surface.
- The standard 10 min. winter transit delay has ended!
- Teenage girls in our shopping/dining district can once again trot around at night in matching hot pants/sheer tights/black heels, giggling while attempting to shock and awe the general public.
- Because it’s above freezing there are convertibles with their tops down & people dashing around in shorts and T-shirts.
- Party buses have started to come out again, and it’s warm enough for their clients to hang out of their windows. Tip of the hat to the young gentleman who offered me a “YOU LOOK GOOD TOO!” on Friday evening.
- Summer music season is starting up, all the bands my work represents are starting to tour like mad – there are always two or three shows per weekend now!
- I have taken my all time favourite $40 leather jacket out of storage.
- The puppies celebrated their first birthday on Sunday.
The Prairies are a place of extremes – we typically run from -35°C (-31°F) in the winter to 35°C (95°F) in the summer, so Spring is an amazing break between the bone crushing cold and the oppressive heat. I know there’s a whole world right around the corner, but for now I’m loving the lull.
What signs of things around the corner are you seeing?
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The dandelions and pear trues are in full bloom around here, and the sun is coming up a little earlier every morning.
*trees (not trues) (it’s still early!)
Happy Birthday, pups!
And while I believe your winters are slightly more extreme than ours, I completely know what you mean as far as Spring being a nice pause in between the brutal winter and hot summers! We got our first really good rain/storms yesterday and all of a sudden, things are green again!
I love how the air smells; like grass, flowers and warmth. I love how I can hear birds again… other than seagulls and crows. I love being able to eat ice cream without shivering uncontrollably. I love turning the heat off in the house and giving my skin a break. I love it all.
Although it never gets that cold down here (is it possible?) the temp differences between winter and summer is a little ridiculous!! I’m not complaining tho. I love all four season!
The prairies sound like Northern B.C. from one extreme to the next. Or maybe that’s just all of Canada…
Line ups atthe car wash, my cat sitting in the windowsill soaking up the sun, scooters on the road, iced caps, tulips, farmers markets re opening. Happy Birthday Puppies!
I’ve been taking pictures of all the trees flowering in my backyard. After months of cloudiness, it’s so nice to see everything colorful again!
my older sister has a serious crush on the weakerthans – I’ve never been able to get into their music though
what I’m loving right now is the smell of the air first thing in the morning – I can’t describe it, it’s just lovely
My dear, I have no idea how you survive in -31 F temperatures. I would be miserable all of the time!
As for the things around the corner… well my allergies are in high gear so we know everything is blooming. As a matter of fact my normally white car is now YELLOW thanks to the pollen that has graced us with its presence. Fantastic, no?
Other than that, wineries are starting to get busy, cafes and restaurants with outdoor patios are opening up for lunch and dinner and I’m wearing flip-flops again which is a sure sign that spring is here.
Like your hometown we have a varied range in weather 0 F in the winter all the way up to 100 + F in the summer so I welcome the 70 degree weather. It’s glorious =)
I can tell it’s spring by the smell in the air, the daffodils blooming in my front yard, the mosquito (!) I saw land on my husband’s head last night and all the noises–birds, primarily, plus the sound of the kids playing in the neighborhood.
Well, here in El Salvador temperatures go from 15°C in December to 40°C in August. But we don’t have 4 seasons. We have 2 seasons : dry season and wet season. And wet season is starting now. I don’t like rain. :(
Yeah I don’t know if I could handle Prairie weather. I’m fussy enough about Chicago. Vegas will be awesome!
You know, I’ve never taken a party bus. And now it seems I’ll never have a reason to. Man, we need a bloggers party bus outing don’t we?
The switch to summer drinks at Starbucks. Seriously. It’s a guarentee we won’t go back to winter. xoxo
Halifax is similar it sounds. There are still days (although much fewer between) where I pull out my winter jacket because it’s the only thing heavy enough to keep me warm. But yesterday for example, was 32, which for the end of April is a sign that the summer is going to be a hot one.
In any event: the chip trucks are out, summer drink switch ups, patios!, people laying out in the parks.