Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Is It Spring Yet?


This will no doubt be a less-than-riveting post for Flint Expatriates who still live in a place where there are actual seasons, but I'm really enjoying the spring-like conditions in the Vehicle City today. I haven't been in Flint in March since 1984, and I'd forgotten that great feeling of relief that comes with temperatures in the fifties, sunshine, and the earthy smell of melting snow and mud. I realize I'm not doing a great job of making it seem appealing, but it really is great. And I feel that way even though I didn't endure a Michigan winter.

And, yes, I probably jinxed it by even talking about it. I'm sure this intemperate talk about temperate conditions will result in a massive snowstorm. My apologies in advance.






8 comments:

  1. glad your visit was accompanied by this fantastic weather. Add daylight savings time and our beautiful half of the year is upon us.

    While visiting take note of the spring bulbs starting to spring up out of the ground. Nothing brings a bigger smile to my face then seeing that. That's when I know that our months of darkness have ended. Although your pictures of the receding mounds of gray ice/dirt/mud are also a telltale sign of spring,

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  2. My car was uncomfortably warm inside when I got out of work today. It's the first time that has happened this year. That, combined with having my window down on the way home, tell me that Spring is quite close.

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  3. It takes a special eye to appreciate muddy snow. Did you forget to remove your rose tinted granny glasses?
    darcy b

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  4. You got it right, Darcy. I was in an extremely positive mood yesterday! And I was a little surprised by all the springtime memories that were flooding back. I fear I'm now known as that crazy guy in Flint taking pictures of muddy snow. Maybe I've been in California too long.

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  5. I went to a conference in Livingston County yesterday. The speaker was from North Carolina and kept commenting about being surprised to see snow on the ground and hear birds chirping at the same time. He also said there was enough snow to close school in NC. They had closed school recently on just the threat of snow.

    When all power and influence was concentrated in the Northeast, you didn't hear of such surprise at snow and winter. Even as recently as when the movie and song "White Christmas" came out, few outside the deep south could relate to the premise that snow was unusual in December.

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  6. No, Gordie, you're not a crazy guy in Flint taking pics of muddy snow! I haven't lived in Flint since 1986 and I've been overseas now since 1996 - and I have to say, I don't see snow or light like that here. I recognize your pictures, but it's different here. And of course J.L. mentioned having the window down on the way home....nice :)

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  7. Oh, how I remember those first days of warm spring with their melt running into the sewers and the ritual of rubbing in the neats foot oil on my Rawlings PM 9 glove. Then waiting for a play catch day. Then, nursing a sore arm for three days.

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  8. I love the muddy snow (from a remove--looks great from SF). I know exactly what you mean, it reminds me of spring in Kansas, and the physical sense of relief that the first warm days bring.

    --M Skrzy

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Thanks for commenting. I moderate comments, so it may take a while for your comment to appear. You might enjoy my book about Flint called "Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City," a Michigan Notable Book for 2014 and a finalist for the 33rd Annual Northern California Book Award for Creative NonFiction. Filmmaker Michael Moore described Teardown as "a brilliant chronicle of the Mad Maxization of a once-great American city." More information about Teardown is available at www.teardownbook.com.