If it weren't for the weather...

We'd have nothing to talk about. I thought this was a quote from somewhere, but I have googled it in many permutations, but couldn't find the source. So think I'll take credit for writing this profound thought. Heck, why not. So, yesterday it got up to 60o. Spring was in the air, the ice and snow still on the sidewalks was melting like crazy. JJ and I even broke into running several times! So nice - I've been hobbling around like a non-spry nonagenarian for the last month, at least, terrified of slipping on the ice, breaking something, etc. Very reassuring to know I'm not there yet. Today, of course, it's back in the 20's. The melting snow has re-frozen, and I'm back to my cautious hobbling.

The ice on the grass near the lake has thawed a lot, and we finally got close to the lakeside for pictures of the Swan family and all the other waterfowl. The cygnets are about 75% white-feathered, and there are some mallards with gorgeous, shiny purple heads/necks in addition to the teal ones.

Something curious: The fields covered with Astroturf are only about half-covered with snow now, while the fields still covered in actual grass are still 100% snow covered. I'm sure there's some thermal/physical explanation, but I'd love to know.

Some storm yesterday and last night - trees are down all over the park - whole ones, uprooted, not just the usual branches. Clean-up crews will certainly have their work cut out for them. One dead goose in the Parade Grounds (the ballfields/tennis court area we cross before reaching the park). Looks like it might have gotten blown against the fence by the wind. Seems that wind speeds were up to 48 miles per hour at LaGuardia Airport, up to 60 mph on Staten Island, supposedly 70 MPH somewhere in the Northeast. - can't seem to find a number for this neighborhood.

A whole tree also went down on Cortelyou Road - luckily, not on any person , house or car. Also: very soggy ground all over, especially as it's still raining. Time to order some seeds for my garden! Must choose carefully, since I offered to give up some space to grow herbs for Third Root. Maybe I'll give them some of the tubs I usually use for cherry tomatoes - should keep them differentiated from other plants.

Back to the park: about 6 swans hanging around the Peninsula. The storm probably tossed up all kinds of goodies for them. Zero crack bags today!! And the bloody rocks have been washed clean. However, others have noticed these strange sights. There's a somewhat fear-mongering article in the Brooklyn Paper. Here's the link : http://brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/12/33_12_sb_blood_in_the_park.html

At home, the rose bush that I've been trying to train to grow up on the garage roof in order to have cascading roses in season blew off the roof completely. I think I'm giving up, and will just trim it way back and keep it is a regular, but large, bush. I know it was probably a bad idea - bad for the roof and all, but it would have looked so pretty!! When we first moved here there was such a rose bush/vine growing up from the back of the property onto the garage. Huge cascades of pink roses every June! Alas, the root was actually in the back-neighbor's property, and they cut it down one year. Don't even know if they realized it was the same plant as the roses that bloomed in our garden every year, and I never asked. Pointless, since no one could have done anything to put it back.