Our snowiest winter on record took place in 1978-79 when Madison recorded 76.1 inches of snow. As of yesterday morning, we were up to 60 inches of the white stuff so far this season. This morning we awoke to the news that we’re under yet another Winter Storm Watch for tomorrow and Wednesday for 5-9 more inches. Since we’re barely into the month of February and we have yet to string together 3 days without snow since November 30th, I think it’s safe to assume we will be setting a new record this winter.
As the snow fell heavily on Saturday, I visited a garden center and didn’t want to leave. I had the urge to unroll a sleeping bag and spend the rest of the winter breathing in the humid air and lounging among the houseplants and seed packets. It was a much-needed morale booster because I’m nearly convinced that spring is just not going to come this year.
Nature has other ideas, however. I must’ve had 200 or more birds in my yard on Saturday during the snow (and that’s not counting my Starling flock which is now up to 102 birds and my Mourning Dove flock which has ballooned to 35 dim-witted creatures). As I was snapping photos of the flurry of activity, I spotted an undeniable sign of spring. Little patches of bright yellow feathers are starting to pop out on the otherwise dingy gray Goldfinches. What a sight for sore eyes!