Walking into town today I noticed the first signs of spring: A few snowdrops in bloom in a little flower bed created by someone living in the condos along the riverside. (The footpath between the buildings and the river is public, though.)
In spite of this, winter is not likely to be over for a good while yet. We'll probably see more snow again soon (although predictions just now vary between rain and snow, as temperatures are likely to still be up and down around freezing point).
Tomorrow, Sweden will be lifting most of the corona-restrictions that have been in place over winter - like how many people may gather indoors for this or that purpose, etc. However, this does not mean that the pandemic is over, either. Only that with the 'omicron' variant, and with most people now either being vaccinated, or having had the disease (or both!), it's behaving differently (most people not getting seriously ill). So the restrictions aren't serving the same purpose any more. Or so they say. For my own part, I think I'll probably prefer to "keep my distance" for a bit longer. Or at least not immediately join a big crowd for celebrations!
So I guess I know why they call them "Snowdrops" now! I think you are wise to keep as safe as you had been!
ReplyDeleteGinny, so far today it's all "raindrops", and I've only been out for a short lonely walk! ;)
DeleteMonica, your last paragraph could just be the same for here, and I feel exactly the same about it all.
ReplyDeleteSnowdrops and aconites have been out here for about two weeks now, always a lovely and welcome sight. Also, there is a blackbird singing his spring song on the neighbour's roof every morning, making it feel much more spring-like than it actually is.
Bird song always contributes a lot to create spring feelings, doesn't it! Stormy and rainy here today and I think the birds in the old graveyard were keeping pretty quiet on my short walk there...
DeleteHow lovely - snowdrops - the first sign of spring! Not sure we have them here, although we have tulips and daffodils in profusion. Most of our plants are looking a little sorry for themselves, as it's been an exceptionally cold winter so far.
ReplyDeleteLifting restrictions here, too, but like you I'd prefer to keep my distance and watch from the side-lines. We can't be sure if this is the beginning of the end, much as we all hope it is.
CG, I suspect snowdrops probably prefer colder climate.
Deleteyay for snowdrops, hope the worst of the winter is gone by now. the thing is we never know WHAT WILL HAPPEN OR WHEN. like caps appearing, ha ha... I am beginning to believe we should just go back to noraml and be very careful where and when and practice what we know works.
ReplyDeleteSandra, I guess going back to normal but hoping for people to continue to be careful and responsible anyway is what they're hoping for here. Remains to be seen how it works out.
DeleteFor me I think it depends on how it affects each individual person. I've heard of some people being vaccinated but taking over a month to get over it and then I've heard of others who are also vaccinated but also boostered getting through it in less than a week.
ReplyDeleteAmy, yes, it still seems to vary a lot how sick people get. As the virus is still widely spread here and I'm not keen to catch even a mild version, I think I'll continue to be cautious for a while yet. (Not really longing to be in a crowd anyway...)
DeleteI am grateful that I have escaped Covid; I have been careful. I know that both my parents lived through the Spanish Flu pandemic as did most of their families. That example helps me every day. I expect that with the changing temperatures and the changing humidity the risks of catching every known germ on the planet will increase. I will not wish you Good Luck, because this is really about Good Management. And you seem to be an excellent manager.
ReplyDeleteLouise, I'd say it's probably a combination (of luck vs management), but one way or another I seem to have escaped it so far. And I too am grateful for that.
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