Tag: weather

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Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Let it Snow

It was just this week that we had our first snowstorm of the season. In fact, it was just last week that we had our first snow.

It is unusually late that these events occurred in December. Our first snow is invariably before Thanksgiving and sometimes even before Halloween. 

I do remember one year, taking our kids trick-or-treating with a couple of inches of snow on the ground. 

It wasn’t the most comfortable of times, with them quickly complaining of being cold; we didn’t even make it around our entire neighborhood.

Each year, my enthusiasm for snow diminishes a bit more. Yes, it is nice to look at—for a while—from the warm confines of my home. 

But with snow comes snow-removal duties, longer drive times, poor travel conditions, event cancellations, low wind-chills, and cold.

I do like snow for Christmas, in fact Christmas sans snow, is a Christmas that is somehow lacking. 

From my perspective, it would be great if the first snow come on Christmas Eve—not enough to hamper travel, but just a light blanket of white. 

If we are going to have a snowstorm, it should wait until the week after Christmas. Then it needs to start melting on January 2.  Springtime should quickly follow thereafter.

That is my ideal, but things are seldom ideal—or at least not for long. 

So I need to be happy that the winter white held off for as long as it did—and hope for an early spring.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Yellow is Nice, Too

yellow leaves

After dissing my Maple trees on Monday for turning yellow instead of the anticipated shades of orange or red, I realized that yellow is also pretty, even if not what I expected or was used to. 

So, I snapped a picture yesterday of one with all its glorious yellow hues. It’s a good thing I did, as even today, the trees are a little less grand, with a bit fewer leaves, and a greater hint of yellow turning brown.

I also mowed my lawn yesterday for (hopefully) the last time of the season. 

The grass actually wasn’t grown much in the past several days and it should have been cut last week, but yesterday was the first time that the lawn actually dried off enough to mow.

Aside from leaf removal, I think my yard duties are winding down for the year, with only end-of-the-season mower maintenance needing my attention.

By the way, there is a chance of snow predicted for the weekend!

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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We Got Some Rain

We Got Some Rain

After my Friday blog about our local drought, I was in for a pleasant surprise.

The light mist that evening resulted in two-tenths of an inch of rain overnight, which was quite substantial given the scant precipitation the prior six weeks. 

However, Saturday morning brought a deluge of another 1.6 inches in a couple of hours, plus .6 inches more on Sunday for good measure. 

Altogether, we were treated to 2.6 inches of rain in a 48 hour period. This was almost four times the amount of precipitation received in the prior month and a half. 

We are still well below the seasonal average, but perhaps we have turned the corner.

I also remarked that there had been no need to run our air conditioner during this “drought,” given unseasonably cool temperatures. That changed as well. 

The AC needed to be turned on Saturday evening and we topped out in the high nineties on Sunday.

So we got rain and warmer temperatures. 

Perhaps it pays to complain!

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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We Need Some Rain

we need some rain

In the last six weeks, we’ve only received about three-quarters of an inch of rain. That is about one-tenth of what we would normally enjoy this time of year.  The crops are suffering and the lawns don’t look so good either. 

That means I’ve been doing a lot of sprinkling, dragging hoses around my yard on a periodic basis. My neighbor doesn’t water her lawn, so there is a stark contrast between the two, which makes mine look all the better.

In addition to limited rain, it has also been unseasonably cool. 

We had one hot week in June, during which we cracked the 100-degree mark, but since then we’ve been in the high seventies to mid-eighties, with very cool nights, often into the forties.  It actually feels a lot like fall.

The prediction is for August to be much the same: dry and cool.

Although it’s rained many times in the past six weeks, it is often a trace amount, maybe a tenth of an inch, and once, two tenths. However, right now there is light mist, with more rain predicted for tomorrow. 

Maybe your localized drought will soon be over.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Birdbrain Behavior

birdbrain behavior

The numerous Maple tress and Blue Spruce in our yard provide ample and ideal nesting sites for various varieties of birds.

Most noticeable are the Robins. This is because they throw a fit if you get anywhere close to their nest. Sometimes they fly full speed, straight at your head, veering off at the last moment. 

I’m not sure how close they actually come to making contact, but it seems like it is within inches. 

Once, a particularly aggressive one was so persistent and unrelenting in his attacks, that I had to forgo any hopes of yard work near his nest.

We also have Mourning Doves in our area. I have no idea how many next in our yard, because their behavior is the opposite of Robins. 

When potential danger approaches, the Mourning Doves in the nest seemingly freezes, doing nothing to alert a predator to their presence. 

A few weeks ago, while doing some minor tree trimming, I reached for a small branch to lop off and noticed a Mourning Dove, quietly perched in her nest, about two feet away. 

She was staring directly at me, but did not move. 

She looked like a statue and I had to watch for several seconds before I was convinced she was actually alive.

I’ll trim that tree later.

I’ve checked on her from time to time. She’s always in the same pose, though no matter from which direction I approach, she is always facing me.

I don’t know how long it takes Mourning Dove’s to hatch, but she’s been waiting a long time. I hope the outcome is positive.

(By the way, to get a good shot, I had to use the flash—she didn’t even flinch.)

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Unseasonably Warm and Other Considerations

unreasonably warm

Today it was a tad hot in southern Michigan, surpassing the 100-degree mark at my house. (For the record, I have a digital thermometer that is mounted in the shade.)

In these parts, it is not unheard of to hit 100 at some point during the summer; however, those records are typically reached in August or in proximity thereof — not in June. 

It was over 100 at noon and again when I checked at 3 PM, thought at 5:00 PM it’s cooled down to more reasonable 96.

On the news this morning, an ozone warning alert was issued for my county. Among other things, I am not supposed to mow lawn.

This has always perplexed me. I could have mowed lawn yesterday; I will likely be permitted to mow lawn tomorrow. But mowing lawn today is bad for the environment. 

I’d like to point out, that if I wait and mow lawn tomorrow, it will take longer, thereby causing more ozone damaging pollution.

The other curious thing is that the adjoining county was not part of the alert — and I live a quarter mile away from the county line.

Since there is not likely a marked difference hovering over the county boundary, does that mean that part of the other county should also have limits placed on them? 

Perhaps it means that where I live has been needlessly included in a warning intended for the other side of the county. Does 1,320 feet really make a difference if I should mow lawn or not?

Either way, my grass has not stopped growing and needs my attention. 

I guess my lawn is unaware of this ozone issue.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Springtime Color

springtime

I’ve not yet posted any photos of my lawn this year. That’s because I’ve had nothing new or significant to share.

My flowering crab apple tree was as beautiful (and fragrant) as ever, but I could have posted last year’s picture and no one would have known the difference. 

The same goes for the periwinkle, while, as expected, the phlox continues its decline.

I also had my usual springtime dropping of Maple leaves, though thankfully this year was less severe than last.

But here is a new picture (from this year!)  I don’t know its official name, but my family calls it “Snow on the Mountain,” which is most appropriate, given its white and green variegated leaves. 

(My agriculture teacher apparently did not share my appreciation for its beauty, gruffly referring to it as “gout weed.”)

Regardless of its label, I really like it. It looks like this through the spring and most of the summer, though inevitably towards the end of summer the leaves turn brown and it looks half dead—only to revive with water and extra attention. 

Each year I endeavor to bypass this “half dead” phase, but so far have not been able to come up with the right combination of moisture and care.

Even so, I am able to enjoy it for several months

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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It’s Spring in Michigan

spring in michigan

Ah, spring in Michigan…

  • It is the first week of April,
  • the grass is greening up,
  • it looked like I’d need to mow my lawn before the week was out,
  • my spring time allergies are beginning to surface,
  • early spring flowers are blooming,
  • the kiddies are on spring break from school,
  • next Sunday is Easter, 

                                              …and it snowed last night!

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Springtime, Robins, and Snow

Springtime and robins

There are more signs that spring is arriving in Michigan—and I couldn’t be more excited.

Over the weekend, I noticed an influx of birds—the kind not normally visibly present in the winter. That is the most encouraging development. 

Even more so is that this morning, I glimpsed a pair of robins, the first I have seen this year. 

The presence of robins is noted to be a sure indicator of warmer weather and that a resurgence of new life is right around the corner.

Plus, as noted yesterday, the government’s innovative plan to “save daylight” gives us an extra hour of sunlight in the evening.  Surely, spring is near.

It is therefore with irony that I note the weather forecast for today is rain, turning to snow in the evening.

Oh, well. I guess that I will need to wait a bit longer for spring to finally arrive.

I just hope that the Robins have their winter coats and boots with them.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Spring Has Sprung—I Think

spring

Just two days ago, the sunrise temperature was 1 degree F; I was beginning to wonder if spring would ever get here. (According to the calendar, spring begins in about two weeks, on March 20).

Although we have been intermittently flirting with nicer weather, it quickly turns out to be nothing more than a tease.

We are currently on a warning trend with each day this week predicted to be warmer than the one prior. Yesterday the prognosis was a high of 38, while today it was projected to hit 47. Imagine my delight when the noontime temperature hit 60. 

I skipped lunch and took a walk—it was amazing! Currently, it is 64 degrees.

I also noticed a couple of my daffodils are poking through. They haven’t produced flowers the past few years, so after moving and fertilizing them last fall, this year might be the last chance they are given to bloom. 

Even so, it is refreshing to see a hint of life and growth in an otherwise desolate and dreary landscape.

It will only be a matter of time before the yard work begins. Right now that is a welcome prospect, given a season of being cooped up inside. 

However, I’m sure my attitude will quickly change when I can’t find the time to do all the outdoor tasks that beckon my attention.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.