Oklahoma Spring 12/03/2005 Yes, I decided to tempt fate and declare that spring has arrived in Lawton, Oklahoma. The temperature hovers just below 80º and the sun beats down relentlessly. It has been like that for a week now and my gray, dank, British soul has begun to hope that winter has left us to amuse itself up north. Kathy says things like, "Oh, I've known ice storms in April" and "It's going to get colder tomorrow." But when I ask how cold, she says, "In the fifties, I think they said." In Michigan and Massachusetts they'd be very glad of 50º right now, methinks. That's not winter; it's a British summer!Lawton is strangely beautiful at the moment. As well as the sunshine and a breeze that ensures it doesn't become too hot, the trees are putting forth their new foliage and flowers, the grass begins to turn from its African dried-out brown to threaten a verdant green, the birds sing and the air is sharp and clear. It reminds me of those rare days in England when the sun shines all day and one can believe that it is the most beautiful country on earth. On days like these, the land of my birth is truly an emerald jewel on the edge of Europe.And Lawton has had a week of them.Oh, I know full well that this is a foretaste of the scorching heat to come. Twenty-seven years in Africa taught me to be only too aware of the power of the sun. Come the summer I will be so grateful that I live in a country that believes passionately in air conditioning. I will look out from my little, white, artificially-cooled house on the baking flatness that is Lawton, with the heat haze blurring the middle distance and the sun blazing from a cloudless sky.But for the moment I enjoy spring in Oklahoma. I can slide the windows fully open and type in a fresh breeze that runs through the house. Perhaps I should feel guilty, knowing that up North folks still endure the snows and storms of winter. But I don't. Twenty-nine years of damp and gloomy British winters have entitled me to this, I think.
--ooOoo--Tomorrow (Sunday, March 12) Kathy and I are going on a trip to the Deep South; Vicksburg, Mississippi, to be precise. This should give me more material for the long-neglected Journal and I will be able to add two states (Mississippi and Louisiana) to my growing list. We return on Friday, March 17th.So don't expect any new posts on this blog for a week. I know this is a terrible imposition to thrust upon you at such short notice but you may have noticed a sudden slowing down over the last few days. This has been caused by general exhaustion of creativity (well, that's my excuse anyway) and a certain paucity of new ideas. A break might be what all of us need. Besides, quite a few of you have a book to read in the meantime, I believe. Mad will field any comments in my absence so feel free to comment if you wish.Until we meet again!
Clive
Ned Yes, those first few days of spring are soul-nourishing. As the earth begins to timidly bring forth green and the bright yellows of forsythia and even daffodils. They may not show yet, but they are there, waiting to be coaxed from the soil. Breaking open winter's seal on windows and doors, the breeze delicately fingering curtains, bringing us hope that the grey may be finally banished. Of course I have just finished shoveling the snow that the 23rd storm of the season has deposited and continues to deposit in my driveway. The temperature is much warmer today than at any time in the last week; it hovers at 32 degrees currently. The indecision of this freezing/melting point gives the snow a high moisture content and the approximate weight and consistency of wet cement. But... Mississippi and Lousiana? I am melting just thinking of it. Heat is not a sufficient word, humidity beyond endurance. We are expecting the temperature to rise to nearly 40 sometime next week. But even if we have the 24th snow of the season, I would rather be here in the frozen north. It is supposed to be March and yet it is still January here. But it is way too early for July. Date Added: 12/03/2005
Gone Away Well, you may be right, Ned - the Deep South can be pretty hot and humid, I believe. But this early in spring I think we might just get away with it. And I am desperate for blogging material! Date Added: 12/03/2005
Erin ..and I have been begging the gods of snow to look kindly upon North Carolina all winter and have yet to see a flake.. Now I see that they've been busy elswhere.. I wanted to thank you here for the kind words and ask if you would mind if I linked to you? Enjoy your trip. Date Added: 12/03/2005
Gone Away Thank you, Erin. I would be honored to be linked to you. My son, Mad, does all the clever stuff behind the scenes on my blog so I shall leave a note asking him to add your link in my list of recommended sites. I meant very seriously that comment on Ned's blog in reply to yours. I have never before seen a talent equal to yours in one so young. Your poetry is of the highest quality. Date Added: 12/03/2005
palinurus Winter has its moments, and the seasons' changes are an important reminder of the passing of time -- which is really why old-timers move to Florida and Arizona: no discrete seasons, so they won't be reminded that time is slipping away -- but Spring is the best: a new start, fresh, clean, and a hope that we can find a place that is always thus. Nice post. Date Added: 14/03/2005
Remainderman Truly, he is gone away. (I am ashamed to say that this is my 37th variation of a pun on this undeservedly afflicted psuedonym.) Date Added: 14/03/2005
bumpy_beth So........ your the one who caused the CRAZY weather huh??? It was SO warm outside, and sunny... then today starts my spring break. Its raining and the high is only 50!! In Texas! You should buy a new ground hog or something, lol. Date Added: 15/03/2005
Way I am going to hurt the next person that says it's 80 degrees out side. Date Added: 15/03/2005
keeefer whats 35 degrees centigrade in farenheit Way? :) Date Added: 15/03/2005
Mad 95 degrees farenheit Keef (or so says Google)... Date Added: 15/03/2005
Way Ten degrees too hot, Keeef, if Mr. Google is right. Nothing at all like Birdsville, which posted a whopping 38c to-die. Say, Mad...since the cook took off crazy like some itinerant farmhand after the crops are done, how about regaling us with a good hamster tale, just to keep us awake? And don't skimp, eh? Date Added: 16/03/2005
Way (Oh, and Gold Coast was darn-near perfect at 27c) Date Added: 16/03/2005
Mad Mr Way, when faced with your hamster haiku I know that I can't compete. If however I think of any interesting stories I will blog 'em. Date Added: 17/03/2005
Way Now since when have writers competed? The word on the grapevine insists there is a story hiding in there. Date Added: 17/03/2005
Mad Actually Way, I should mention that your hamster haiku is the first one I've ever enjoyed! I always thought haiku's were w**k... Date Added: 17/03/2005
Way Yeah, I mostly agree, Mad. One of my son's turned me on to some poet (whom I have forgotten his name) that writes haikus more in the style of Ogden Nash, so mine was a cheap imitation of sorts. I should add a thanks to ya, tho. Date Added: 17/03/2005
keeefer Mad, The story Way is hinting at, is your wonderful tale of 'handling' your friends gerbil. there, if you dont elaborate people will draw their own conclusions!!!! No need to thank me, what are friends for after all :) Date Added: 17/03/2005
Josh Borrowing Money? Rides home from the airport? Moving furniture? Help me out here. Date Added: 18/03/2005
Way (hastily sketches in a rough conclusion while whistling) Date Added: 18/03/2005
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