Spring is still making slow progress here... But today I noticed these tiny green leaves on a garden hedge I passed on a walk to the main post office (some 15-20 minutes away) to post a parcel for someone's big birthday towards the end of the month.
When I got back home and looked at my calendar again, I realised that in my head, I had somehow been a week ahead of myself, and needn't have posted that parcel until next week. Ah well... Better too early than too late, I suppose!(?)
"Better three hours too soon than a minute too late"
(Shakespeare, the Merry Wives of Windsor)
"Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable"
(Origin unknown)
Whether spring is early or late here this year, compared to "normal", I'm not really sure. They say that meteorologically, "spring" arrived already at the end of February - but it hasn't felt like it in nature. When I look back at photos from last year, we had magnolias and cherry blossoms in bloom in early April. This year, I still haven't seen any trees in bloom.
The seasons are weird here too, we had a very mild Summer that really didn't eventuate to anything.
ReplyDeleteAmy, sometimes hard these days to know what's just normal variation vs related to "serious" climate change...
DeleteI love those quotes. I'd always sooner be far too early than late. I am much further south than you and spring has definitely arrived here. There are magnolias, cherry trees and lilac trees in full bloom everywhere.
ReplyDeleteAddy, I always prefer to have a time margin as well.
DeleteHere in northern England our spring is advancing very normally. "April showers" are usually associated with April's weather and we have been having a few of them between nice bouts of sunshine,
ReplyDeleteYP, our April is probably behaving pretty much as normal here too - as it has a reputation for being unpredictable!
DeleteNature seems to be in a state of shock. It was almost 90 the other day, only to be freezing in a couple days. Back and forth.
ReplyDeleteGinny, I hope you don't get frost ruining the early blossoms!
DeleteLooking at photographs from previous years, it's clear how unpredictable spring can be. Always to be welcomed, whenever it appears.
ReplyDeleteJanice, you're right - April is a rather unpredictable month here too. And "hanging out" with online friends from further south in Europe probably messes with my expectations a bit! ;)
DeleteI don't agree with the second quote. To me, early is early - whether that's good or bad depends on the situation. For instance, t would stress most people to appear at their door early for an invitation while they are putting the last touches to whatever they have been preparing, but it is good to arrive at work a little earlier than the start of the first meeting :-) Late is too late - the train will be gone (unless it is late, too!), and on time is just perfect.
ReplyDeleteMeike, you are right of course that definition of early vs late as good or bad depends on the context. I tend to prefer to have a margin rather than to arrive at the last minute for appointments etc, though.
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