“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
~ Cicero
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Phooey! I’m working on being grateful now, but after last week’s unexpected clear blue skies, this week’s return to dreary gray skies with snow has been difficult.
Piffle! Then add the lost hour of sleep [I’m looking at you, Daylight Savings Time] and I’m not feeling my usual writing mojo OR joie de vivre OR any other flapdoodle-y & twaddle-ish way of using words to indicate joy and productivity.
Pshaw! So instead of stressing myself to find something to write about that is actually interesting and fresh, I’ll just share some photos– and attempt to remember that I am grateful for this change in weather because the more the wet now, the prettier the flowers then.
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In case you care, I looked up the meanings of the exclamatory words I used above. They are defined as follows:
phooey = disbelief
piffle = nonsense
pshaw = contempt
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Totally feeling your pain here too. While we only had a dusting of snow, it’s still cool, gray, and wet here too and all I want to do is go back to bed.
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Allie P, I’m tired. It’s gray outside. And I can only drink so much coffee… so I thought I’d complain about things. 🙂
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Makes complete sense to me.
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My mantra for the cold, gray, dreary days of winter is “at least it isn’t snowing.” I’ll take rain, for the most part, with reasonably good grace. At least it doesn’t look like it snowed much there. Soon it will be hot and we can complain about that.
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Zazzy, this is the most pathetic excuse for snow I’ve seen all Winter. Just enough to mess with the roads, not enough to look pretty. And I take your point: there’s always something to complain about when you focus on the weather!
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February was a cruel month with its false Spring. Now i have day lilies up half a foot and more and daffodils blooming in the snow. Those three “P”s for sure.
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bobcabkings, you said it! Our daffodils are blooming, but are bent out of shape– definitely in a literal sense, possibly in a figurative sense. This is dumb weather.
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And for tonight, they are predicting a low in the high teens – hard frost. I’m hoping for some freezing rain to give the plants a protective coating that might help a bit.
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We’ve got a prediction of low teens, but no frost. I have faith that our daffys will make it through, they’re tough little bulbs. But our magnolia bushes that bloomed early now have dead flowers on them. Bummer.
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Spring arrives on Monday Ally, and with some luck the clouds will part, the drizzle and snow dust and wind and whatever is happening weather wise will magically go poof… ie: disappear… and cheerfulness and joy will abound for all 🙂
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Deb, I hope you’re right about spring showing up on time this year. Cheerfulness and joy sound good to me. I put you in charge of making it so! 😉
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With such words, not to mention “flapdoodle-y” & “twaddle-ish,” you must have a special relationship with your spell-check. And, yes, the weather sucks. Good thing we didn’t go to Orlando this week, eh?
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Zen-Den, I’ve trained the WP spell-check to not bother me with the words you mentioned. However it didn’t like the word “piffle” which baffled me! So fussy.
I’d forgotten we were supposed to be on vacation this week. Oh well, go figure…
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Orlando on Wednesday ~> sunny and “cool” (60 degrees). Perfect for checking out the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.
Stay warm!
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Oh yes nancy, rub it in that we didn’t get to Orlando! Sounds delightful for those of you who are there.
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If you plan a trip to Orlando in the future, maybe we can “meet and greet.” 😀
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nancy, I’d love that. We were going because of Z-D’s work, but the trip was cancelled. If/when he heads that way again I’ll let you know.
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Cool! We’re about 2 hours away, but if our schedules *click* . . . I’d love to meet you in person.
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Sounds like a plan. Now all we have to do is get Z-D’s work to take him [us] to Orlando!
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May make us fell better – the report from Orlando is 45 degrees with winds so I’d say we made the right call on that.
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Yes, we did. 👏
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We are in the midst of Spring here in California, and every day has to be appreciated, because our Summer is really our Winter, where each day is blazingly hot and the sun is relentless, and I think I will save all your words for those days, when we have to suffer through another 100+ degree day – with no end in sight. I bet you guys will have a fabulous Spring once all of this wintery weather passes.
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SD Gates, no matter where you live there’s always one season that makes people irritable! While I can convince myself that this is necessary, it doesn’t mean that I’m thrilled with it. And for last week to be so amazing, then this… *humph* However, I don’t do well with 100+ degree days so maybe I’m liking this weather more than I think I do. 😉
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I guess we earn our wonderful Spring weather by suffering through the Summer, and you guys earn your beautiful Summers by suffering through the long Winter season. It all evens out in the end. Enjoy your Snow Day!!!!
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Well said!
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I’m happy to send you some of the 2 feet of snow we’re getting today….. Have plenty to spare if any of your readers want some of it too! I’d gladly take a wet half inch than what is outside my window right now. I did take a picture at 4:30pm yesterday out my back door (Sunny 45F) and will take a picture at the same time and same spot today to get the stark contrast from one day to the next.
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Andrew, I hear ‘ya! Our pathetic half-assed snowfall is ugly, but doesn’t require me to get out the snow thrower, so that’s good. Thanks for the offer of extra snow, btw. Think I’ll pass, though. 😉
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Yoh, who shall I feel sorry for? The daffs or you? Well, I can extend to both I guess … blame it on the full moon a little while ago. We’re all being challenged by the flippin weather … BUT the plants especially like to be challenged … be of cheerful heart and let those lovely words bring a smile to your dial .. phlipp is a good one too …
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Susan, I imagine that the daffys will do ok, despite the weather. And I imagine I’ll do ok, despite my grouchy attitude. No doubt that once I get the grousing out of my system I’ll be of a cheerful heart again. But for today…
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Good words, all, Ally!
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Thanks. I like them, too.
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You are lucky. We are in the midst of a snowstorm with predictions of 16 to 20″ of the damn stuff. I am so over winter! To add insult to injury temps are going to hover at the freezing point for the next few days. No normal highs in the 7 day forecast. Boogers.
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Kate, I agree that you’re going to get it worse than we are. My complaint is about how dull and ugly everything looks. But that’s nothing in comparison to dealing with 20″ of snow. Best of luck to you, stay safe– and feel free to complain at length about the unfairness of it all.
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I long for when was it? last week when we hit 70? So fleeting. Now it’s freaky weather. Hope you get some sun because I seem to get your weather a day or two later.
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Well, even if we don’t get any sun, I’ll send sunshine-y thoughts your way– ’cause you’re going to need them.
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Thanks for sharing those lovely pictures. Where I am in California I would have had to drive for 3 to 4 hours to see something like that. We did have a similar covering on our back deck recently but it was hail, not snow. Thanks also for the new word, piffle.
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Janet, this little bit of snow is more annoying than anything else. It makes everything look gray, and it makes for some sneaky slippery sidewalks, but like hail, it’ll melt away quickly enough.
Piffle is a good word. Use it often. 🙂
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Greetings from the Secondary Snow Belt in NEO, where the winds are gusting 30 mph over the Great Lakes, and we are still under the same Winter Storm Warning since yesterday and will be until Wednesday at 8PM. By that time we are forecast to add another 5 inches to the 5 already on the ground. Grey skies–when we can see them through the snow. WHY DO WE LIVE HERE?! WHAT’S TO BE DONE ABOUT IT?!
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nance, you got me LAUGHING OUT LOUD with your astute commentary on our life choices. I have no explanation about why and how I became a lifelong Ohioan. Life is a mystery, and one that today is gray and snowy and dumb. Stay warm where you are, and try not to fret… too much.
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It looks like just enough snow to make things difficult but not enough to make things beautiful (at least that’s how I think of those winter wonderland pictures I see – I’ve never really experienced snow enough to know how it feels to live in it). Our big rains here in California have resulted in the bountiful flowers we are seeing now. Yay spring!
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Janis, this amount of almost nothing snow is difficult to deal with because it’s sneaky. Unlike a deep obvious snowfall, with this dusting you think everything is fine, then you slip– or your car slides– and wham! you’ve got trouble. However, I do realize that this late winter snowfall will bring much needed water that will make the bushes and flowers pretty later in the Spring, so I’ll try not to grumble too much.
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This time of year is rough. The snow nearly broke my heart. Plus we had a little spring trip planned and had to cancel because sickness invaded. What a waste of vacation days. Plus I was miserable so did nothing and feeling guilty for that. Oh whoas me.
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allthethings3, I agree that this is a rough time of year. Always is. We often try to take a spring vacay but something inevitably gets in the way. Sorry your trip didn’t happen and that you had to use vacation days dealing with sickness. If we can just make it until the pretty spring weather arrives, then all of this will be forgotten. Hang in there, sunshine is on its way [allegedly].
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I’ll keep hanging on. Mother Nature is bound to be feeling generous again at some point soon.
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🙂 There’s the spirit.
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Yes, yes, the flowers will be prettier later, and Autumn might actually have some color. BUT! It hath not snowed or rained enough, here at least, to make it worth the hassle of what this lovely weather brings. *sigh* Nice try there with the gratitude. Maybe it’ll rub off on me … … … Well, I’m grateful that I’m thinking of moving to Vermont. No lack for great color there. 🙂
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Also grateful for your silly fun wordage. 🙂
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Thanks!
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Tara, yes, I know. It’s the grayness that gets to me eventually. And you know how treacherous a little bit of snow can be, but I’m trying to put a sort of positive spin on it. However, Vermont sounds nice.
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I just tried to shovel. It’s 3 inches of snow on about 3 inches of ice. Eff that. Putting my feet back up. 🙂
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Smart thinking. Stay safe, stay warm.
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Piffle. My mom used to say that. That, and “It’s for the cat” meaning, it’s completely useless. That’s what I think about grey wintery days that are supposed to be green and blue and yellow! You hear that Ma Nature!?
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Maggie, piffle is a good word that needs to regain its place in the everyday lexicon of refined bloggers everywhere! Never heard the cat saying, but I get it. From your lips/fingertips to Mother Nature’s ear, ok?
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Excellent title, Ally Bean! 😀
I feel much the same, but I love the winter, and the gray, and the snow, so I blame all my lethargy on the STUPID STUPID STUPID Daylight Savings Time. Day two and we’re all like zombies over here. Frozen lasagna, storebought loafa bread, much sofa, many sittings, so sigh.
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joey, I like to goof around with words so this title just came to me. I usually like winter, too. But this year winter has been an elusive little scamp, never quite here with enough snow and cold to make me happy. Oh well, not much I can do about it except grumble and yawn– and eat meals when I’m not yet hungry, but forced to do so by a clock. Daylight Saving Time is stupid.
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Totally stupid.
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Sending ‘Spring vibes’ your way, Allie. I am confident that Spring will be there to stay soon! xx Donna
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Thanks Donna. After a winter of almost no snow, this is about the dumbest weather ever. Snow now?
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I agree! We’ve had a very ‘dumb’ winter on Vancouver Island as well. We had dustings of snow up until two days ago. Today I saw wild pansies blooming on my way to yoga. Go figure!
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I love pansies! Enjoy them while you can. How fun.
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At least you’ve used words that are printable. Mine are a lot more *colourful*.
On the other hand, I really shouldn’t complain much. Snowmageddon missed us. It’s nasty cold, but we got off lightly in the snow department.
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Joanne, I hadn’t thought of that! Yes, I’m very G rated here, aren’t I? The snow we got is a light, but slippery, dusting. It’s in the teens outside with a gloominess that is depressing. No more winter, please. *meh*
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Amen to that!
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I despise the time changes, and also hate the gray. (lots of it here lately) Thankfully, I’m getting out of “town” Friday to fly to visit my daughter in Santa Monica, CA where the temps are perfect and I’m hoping to see some blue sky. 🙂
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Margaret, I agree about the time changes. I’m worn out. I hope the weather in CA is perfect for you. It’ll be a nice change from the gray skies.
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Sorry to rain on your poopy parade, but you’ve got such a great deck and back yard!
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ParentingIsFunny, thank you. It’s fun to be outside on the deck when there’s no snow or ice. Which is to say, not lately. 😦
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I hear ya. I can’t tell you not to complain since I’m the one who left Ohio for Southern California and am now way too much of a wuss to come back.
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Not a wuss. You are wise. 😉
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I’m grateful we don’t have the gray – the sun has been shining since it stopped snowing. It may be cold, but that sun makes it at least look warm!
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Sarah, I agree. I can deal with snow, and ice even, if it’s sunny or clear outside. But intense dreary soul-sucking gray does me in. Hence, this post.
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Piffle is a great one! I’ll have to use that more often. You might need to come on over to Massachusetts to see what real snow looks like.
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Sheila, I’ve seen your snowfall and it’s much more impressive than our pathetic dusting. Ours just caused trouble, yours looks like trouble. Piffle, I say to all of it. Winter needs to be a memory.
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March has always been a struggle for me, so I’m right there with all the phooeys, piffles, and pshaws. We just got slammed with a blizzard, and once where I could see promising green grass is now suffocating under 8 inches of snow. PhooeyPifflePshawPhooeyPifflePshawPhooeyPifflePshawPhooeyPifflePshaw!
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Kate, some years it is a delightful month, but this year March has been sneaky. Sorry to hear about your blizzard and totally understand why you are. not. happy.
PhooeyPifflePshaw, indeed!
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