Steven Helmer Publications

Everyone is picking on the poor groundhogs (Jimmy and Phil) because they predicted an early spring and the weather couldn't be more winter-like. Well, I'm going to ask everyone to stop calling them liars. After all, when groundhogs predict an early spring, they don't give an exact date. The official first day of spring isn't until March 20. It's only February still. As long as we get spring-like weather by March 19 at 11:59 p.m., the prediction was accurate. And, honestly, I'll still take their prediction over any meteorologist pretty much any day of the week.

By taking a photo of this ice forming on some of the taller grass near my house. But, that is the extent of my enjoyment. I'm ready for spring to get here now.

There are times when I'll admit, you are absolutely beautiful. And, perhaps there was a time, when I was younger, when I could say I loved you. But, let's face it, Winter, we have absolutely nothing in common. I love to wear shorts, garden and smell the wildflowers, three things that I just can't do with you. Sure, sledding is fun on occasion. But, I'm just not the kind of guy who likes wearing heavy coats and boots. Not to mention your mood swings are just terrible. OK, to be fair, I could say the same thing about my new love, Spring. But, at least when Spring throws a temper, I just have to worry about picking up branches. I don't have to use a shovel. So, while I won't say it wasn't great seeing you again, I think it's time for us to go our separate ways, at least for a while. I'm sure, if you keep looking, you'll find someone who will give you the passion you deserve. Image courtesy of Pixabay

As far as snow goes in general, I can take it or leave it. But, when I walked outside yesterday, Christmas Eve, and looked around at all the grass, I must admit, it felt as though something was missing. So, I was kind of glad to look out my window this morning and see some of the white stuff falling down. So, as I watch the snow fall, I will take a moment to wish you all a Merry Christmas. May it be full of miracles for you.

I'm one of those people who tries to wear his lighter spring jacket for as long as possible this time of year. Not because I'm trying to be that stereotypical Wisconsinite who is able to ignore the cold. It's because winter coats tend to be a bit bulky and I don't like wearing them when I'm driving as a result. Unfortunately, I think we've finally reached the point where I'm not going to have a choice. It's somewhat bearable during the day still but, once that sun is down, it's pretty darn cold out there. Heck, I spent a good chunk of my night inside an ice rink last night and it was still warmer inside than it was outside. Now I just hope my coat still fits. I'm just not ready for this time of year yet.

I drove home at lunch today and couldn't see a block in front of me because of the falling snow. And that wind was horrible! I had to take down my bird feeder when I got home because it was horizontal from the wind and I was afraid it would come loose and shatter my living room window. Then, while I was home, the sun came out. It didn't stop snowing or anything, the sun just decided to come out and brighten it all up. And, now, it's bright and sunny out as though none of the previous weather even happened. I sure hope this doesn't happen tomorrow, when I have to drive up to Green Bay.

We got just enough snow last night to once again cover the ground, sidewalks and streets. But, not enough (apparently) to justify a snow day or even a school delay so it looks like I'll be heading out there in a bit and clearing away the white stuff. Spring can get here any day now. I'm sure those robins we've been seeing are really confused right now.

After spring-like weather the past few days, we had a wicked winter storm last night and all after school activities (along with my daughters' skating and dance classes) were canceled as a result. I woke up this morning thinking there was a good chance the girls would have their first snow day of the school year. But, that doesn't appear to be the case. It looks like the plows have already been out and there's no announcement of any delays or cancellation. Hope the girls aren't too disappointed.

It was colder than yesterday with a bit of overcast and I considered not going for a walk at lunch today as a result. But, March is expected to come in like a lion tomorrow with winter weather so I figured I would squeeze it in while I still had an opportunity. Overall, the walk was a bit of a bust photo-wise. I heard a cardinal and plenty of other birds (including a woodpecker that sounded like it was using a jackhammer) but they stayed pretty well hidden the whole time I was out. On top of it, I had to maneuver around ice-covered trails like this one. I foolishly attempted to continue down this trail. By the time I realized I made a horrible mistake, I was already past the point of no return and had to carefully continue forward because going back was just as (maybe more) risky. But, on a positive note, I managed not to fall or throw out a hip. And, I didn't have to worry about mosquito bites or ticks.

It's actually the same icicle I photographed before. However, it's getting larger so I figured I would grab another photo of it this morning.

I snapped this with my phone as I got to the office this morning. It's a perfect representation of how frozen I was feeling.

It's would probably be hard to believe it now. However, yesterday at this time, there wasn't a flake of snow on the ground. Now we have about 3 inches and it's still coming down. Looks like shoveling is in my forecast.

OK, maybe that is a little bit of an exaggeration. But, in reality, we're apparently looking at a drop of us much as 53 degrees in a matter of hours. It was almost 50 degrees out when I left for the office this morning. Tomorrow, at the same time, they are predicting as low as minus 3 with windchill. I guess Old Man Winter is fighting back with a vengeance.

I was really hoping we wouldn't get any snow today. But, even though the heaviest part of the storm seems to be going south of us, we are getting some bad weather too. Fortunately, it doesn't look like we'll get too much. However, there's enough to make the streets a little slick and that wind out there is really nasty. I'm not looking forward to shoveling tonight or tomorrow.

Even though my wife and I both cautioned them not to be too optimistic, both of them insisted on going to bed last night thinking they would have a snow day today. This is because the weather has us under a winter advisory with the potential of up to 6 inches of snow. Well, they got out of bed this morning and saw the same thing I saw when I got up, not a single flake of snow on the ground (other than the inch or so we already have). Not only was there no snow day, we may not even get any accumulating snow now. We're still under the advisory but there's a good chance we'll only get snow showers throughout the day. Talk about not having a clue about what kind of weather we should expect.

Every weather report I read yesterday said we were going to get snow on Monday. So, my plan today was to get stuff put away and get the snow blower running (something that should have been done weeks ago but I just haven't had time). Well, when I woke up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, I glanced out the window and saw my grass had turned white. Guess I'll be shoveling snow today and will have to try to get the snow blower running in much colder conditions than I was expecting.

Yep, it's time to get the office furnace fixed. Will be making that call to the landlord soon since the really cold weather hasn't even gotten here yet. Not really sure what went wrong. They replaced the heating element in it last month, which was supposed to have kept it going for a while longer. Guess that wasn't the case.

The furnace is running this morning, for the first time this autumn. I had hoped to hold off until at least the end of October. But, when I got up this morning, the thermostat had 66 degrees, meaning it was closer to 60 degrees in the living room and kitchen (there's usually a 5 or 6 degree difference from the back of the house to the front of it). While that doesn't seem overly cold, it, combined with the damp weather we've been having, did make the house a little uncomfortable. I could have toughed it out and I'm sure my youngest daughter would have been OK too (the girl is still sleeping with a fan). But, my wife and other daughter likely would have caught a bad chill. I'm just hoping out allergies don't flare up too badly. We didn't get a chance to vacuum out the vents yet and I'm sure the furnace is kicking out dust as a result. I also hope our kitten, Mouse, calms down. It's his first time hearing the furnace running and I think it'...