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Apr. 15th, 2011 09:55 am
What a difference three degrees make
Earlier in the week, I was lamenting leaving Chicago just at the point that spring was arriving. But when Thursday morning came, I was so happy to go. With those overcast skies and blustery chill, it was like the city wanted me out.
St Louis is another world. Spring is sprung here--almost all the trees are leafing, if they aren't in bloom it's because they've already finished. Had I come in last weekend, I would've been greated by a row of Bradford pears in full array. As it was, even the redbuds were past peak. "As long as I see dogwoods," I told my mother, "I'll be happy."
Damn, was I ever happy! They are every bit as gorgeous as I remember--and the scent of them is even better. After lunch, we took the two youngest for a stroll about the neighbourhood so I could take in all the flowers. Daffodils are mostly faded, but the tulips are only just past peak. We saw phlox and bluebells, and there were even a couple of flags out in on a sunny slope. But the real glory of her neighbourhood is the azaleas. There seems to be only one variety that does well in Chicago, so I forget what they're capable of. But there's a house on the corner with the most amazingly vibrant reds that I could talk about nothing else for minutes.
The downside is that the horrible pin oaks are blooming and the pollen is even bothering me, so I can't imagine how real allergy sufferers feel. My sister's boys are hopped up on Zyrtec and she has to run the AC even though the temps yesterday were absolutely perfect. I went out again with the littlest one and watched him chase a cottontail across the neighbour's lawn.
Today is crazy: in less than an hour, I'm due at EWI's school to help run their class carnival. Then I might have to do babysitter duty while Sis and Mom run to the store, and after that Dad and I head off for Ha Ha Tonka. If it's any prettier down there than it is right here, I doubt I'll be able to stand it.
St Louis is another world. Spring is sprung here--almost all the trees are leafing, if they aren't in bloom it's because they've already finished. Had I come in last weekend, I would've been greated by a row of Bradford pears in full array. As it was, even the redbuds were past peak. "As long as I see dogwoods," I told my mother, "I'll be happy."
Damn, was I ever happy! They are every bit as gorgeous as I remember--and the scent of them is even better. After lunch, we took the two youngest for a stroll about the neighbourhood so I could take in all the flowers. Daffodils are mostly faded, but the tulips are only just past peak. We saw phlox and bluebells, and there were even a couple of flags out in on a sunny slope. But the real glory of her neighbourhood is the azaleas. There seems to be only one variety that does well in Chicago, so I forget what they're capable of. But there's a house on the corner with the most amazingly vibrant reds that I could talk about nothing else for minutes.
The downside is that the horrible pin oaks are blooming and the pollen is even bothering me, so I can't imagine how real allergy sufferers feel. My sister's boys are hopped up on Zyrtec and she has to run the AC even though the temps yesterday were absolutely perfect. I went out again with the littlest one and watched him chase a cottontail across the neighbour's lawn.
Today is crazy: in less than an hour, I'm due at EWI's school to help run their class carnival. Then I might have to do babysitter duty while Sis and Mom run to the store, and after that Dad and I head off for Ha Ha Tonka. If it's any prettier down there than it is right here, I doubt I'll be able to stand it.