Azaleas bloom early in North Florida, but the weather can fool you.
Living in North Florida in February and March can really fool you. The azaleas bloom very early and a hot weather streak comes in and you think the spring is definitely here. Sometimes it is, but then again, sometimes another cold snap comes and so many blossoms that are coming out and trees that are leafing have to deal with an unexpected shock. But even up north where less is expected too soon surprises can be in the offing.
My older brother was born on the first day of spring in a heavy snowstorm. Outdoor Easter celebrations in April were sometimes warm but at other times almost freezing. I remember attending an Easter sunrise service in high school back home at Fort Monroe where my feet went numb. It was mid-April and the early morning was beautiful as the sun came up over the Chesapeake Bay. The sunlight on the Cross brought a chill down my spine, but my feet were going numb from a different kind of chill. It was thirty-five degrees.
This morning in North Florida dawned cool, but this afternoon is projected to be eighty-six. And while I look at the fresh growth and the wild flowers and azaleas, it's tempting to think that spring is here. Spring, however, doesn't even officially make its entry for nine more days and even then, the next month can be very changeable. So, while I hope that spring has spring and I know the rest of you hope so as well, it's best for all of us to hold our horses for some time yet. It will come and then will follow the oppressively hot weather and the days down here will come when we yearn for cold weather again. I guess we all just have to recognize that weather is always changing and just deal with the hand we've got. All seasons and all types of weather have a purpose from God. We just need to recognize that, accept it and know that He is always ultimately in charge.
Now, did I ever tell you about the time I was living outside of Washington, D.C. and we got a snowstorm on April twentyfirst? Maybe on another day. Enjoy your day.
My older brother was born on the first day of spring in a heavy snowstorm. Outdoor Easter celebrations in April were sometimes warm but at other times almost freezing. I remember attending an Easter sunrise service in high school back home at Fort Monroe where my feet went numb. It was mid-April and the early morning was beautiful as the sun came up over the Chesapeake Bay. The sunlight on the Cross brought a chill down my spine, but my feet were going numb from a different kind of chill. It was thirty-five degrees.
This morning in North Florida dawned cool, but this afternoon is projected to be eighty-six. And while I look at the fresh growth and the wild flowers and azaleas, it's tempting to think that spring is here. Spring, however, doesn't even officially make its entry for nine more days and even then, the next month can be very changeable. So, while I hope that spring has spring and I know the rest of you hope so as well, it's best for all of us to hold our horses for some time yet. It will come and then will follow the oppressively hot weather and the days down here will come when we yearn for cold weather again. I guess we all just have to recognize that weather is always changing and just deal with the hand we've got. All seasons and all types of weather have a purpose from God. We just need to recognize that, accept it and know that He is always ultimately in charge.
Now, did I ever tell you about the time I was living outside of Washington, D.C. and we got a snowstorm on April twentyfirst? Maybe on another day. Enjoy your day.
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