You might remember that I've been bellyaching (for instance in the recent "Lamb of Spring" post) about the cold here. Well, turns out February 2015 in Southeastern Wisconsin was the sixth-coldest on record and the coldest since 1936, so at least I wasn't just imagining it.
But now this whole week has been one long serene and blissful thaw—along with an orderly melting of the snowpack, which is almost gone save for big drifts and places protected from Southern exposure. And today it's been as warm as 67°F (19.4°C), with bright sun, blue skies, and a gentle balmy breeze. I shoveled snow off the deck in my shirtsleeves, and, just for fun, took an iPhone snap of myself sunbathing*.
I think it was Amory Lovins, co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, who proposed that the term "global warming" should be retired and "global weirding" adopted instead. It is seductive, though—winter might have more in store for us yet, but this is one of the most satisfying arrivals of Springtime I can remember.
Just thought I should say, so you don't think I just like to complain all the time.
Mike
*Yes, another selfie. I know, I'm worried too.
Original contents copyright 2015 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.
(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:
Patrick: "That's you? When I first glanced at the photo I was wondering why you had posted a picture of John Goodman."
Mike replies: It's maybe not the most flattering angle. But I am not nearly as fearless in that regard as Lee Friedlander.
where is all your facial hair?
[I have a new girlfriend, for the first time in a long time, as of last September. She's not against beards, but I decided kissing was nicer without the beard. Et voila. :-) --Mike]
Posted by: joanlvh | Friday, 13 March 2015 at 09:24 PM
LH shadow across the chest hurts it. I'll not be ordering a print.
Posted by: Dave Castelli | Friday, 13 March 2015 at 09:31 PM
It's not just you. Here in Ottawa, all anyone has been talking about lately is the cold.
About a month ago on the way to work in the morning, when I was stuck at a red light longer than a minute I could visibly see the engine temperature indicator drop, and the air blowing out of the heater vents got cooler. I had to slip it into neutral and rev the engine to stay warm. That's never happened to me before.
My wife and I like winter, but we hated this one.
Posted by: Robert Roaldi | Friday, 13 March 2015 at 10:02 PM
You looked better with beard!
However the warmth of this week has been enjoyable!
Posted by: Bryce Lee | Friday, 13 March 2015 at 10:26 PM
Spring in the middle of March is odd. I just pulled the snow tires off the car. I expect a foot of snow. It was -7 on the 5th.
I think we're all going to die come the fires of july.
Posted by: Tom | Friday, 13 March 2015 at 10:43 PM
Where there is feast there is also famine. We can't buy a drop of rain here in California. And, we need it BADLY.
Posted by: Stephen Scharf | Friday, 13 March 2015 at 10:55 PM
You photographed yourself while asleep ?
That's dedication.
Posted by: Nigel | Saturday, 14 March 2015 at 04:51 AM
I have to light the Parkray today. It is a solid fuel central heating boiler for the hot water tank and radiators, and it also heats my living room directly. We are now at the time of year where I only have to light it every couple of days.
That means that if I am out all day I will not bother with it, and if it's a bit cool when I go to bed I just use the hot water bottle, where warm feet means warm all over.
A daytime outside temperature of 57 F/14 C seems to be the tipping point where the place stays warm enough through heat from cooking and computing.
Posted by: Roger Bradbury | Saturday, 14 March 2015 at 07:44 AM
Never mind the weather,where's the beard Mike,is this a new look for TOPS CEO.
Posted by: Michael Roche | Saturday, 14 March 2015 at 08:13 AM
Here in the Twin Cities we have been cycling from 20 degrees F. above average to 20 degrees below average all winter long. Currently we're in a warm phase, with no snow on the ground. Tomorrow our niece and her husband fly in from Boston, where it is about 20 degrees colder. Will they have a pleasant surprise!
Posted by: Chuck Holst | Saturday, 14 March 2015 at 04:40 PM
Do the duck face, Mike! You need to stay in touch with today's ways if you want your selfies to be taken seriously.
Posted by: Manuel | Saturday, 14 March 2015 at 05:21 PM
I don't think it ever got above freezing in February here in Maine. At all. We also had five feet of snow in about a week.
A few weeks ago, I climbed out my daughter's bedroom window to shovel off the kitchen roof. When I was finished, I just jumped off the roof into the snow bank.
Lookin' good without that beard, man.
Posted by: Paul Bass | Saturday, 14 March 2015 at 05:43 PM
mike,
You are usually exceptionally accurate in your references, however it is Amory Lovins ( not Hunter Lovins, you may be confusing him with Hunter S Thopmson who was someone else altogether)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amory_Lovins
Amory is Chairman/Chief Scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute. Amory is a shining light to all of us who have worked in the renewable energy field
[Thanks Dave, fixed now. --Mike]
Posted by: Dave Najewicz | Saturday, 14 March 2015 at 09:08 PM
Mike' confusion might be that Hunter Lovins is spouse of Amory. Just a lot of Lovins!
Posted by: Matt Haber | Sunday, 15 March 2015 at 10:42 PM
Mike, you may not choose to take this seriously, but to me, that might be the best of your photos that you've posted yet.
I know others are prettier, have more interesting compositions, etc. And I care about those things. But here you give us yourself, undefended, in an expected springtime of the year and an unexpected springtime of your life, and it makes me feel so connected to you.
Is it a coincidence that you recently wrote about Kertész, whose work, IMHO, endures because he wore his heart on his sleeve?
Posted by: Ben Rosengart | Monday, 16 March 2015 at 12:37 AM
BTW, I wrote about Kertész on Twitter a few days before you posted this.
https://storify.com/fivetonsflax/andre-kertesz-and-the-evolution-of-elizabeth-and-i
Posted by: Ben Rosengart | Monday, 16 March 2015 at 01:23 AM