Early Spring

The year has cast its cloak away
That was of driving rains and snows,
And now in flowered arras goes,
And wears the clear sun's glossy ray.

No bird or beast but seems to say
In cries or chipper tremolos:
The year has cast its cloak away
That was of driving rains and snows.

From Rondeau
- Charles d'Orleans
Translated by Richard Wilbur

It's hard to believe just a few short weeks ago we had freezing temperatures, pouring rains, and snow down to the top of Potato Mountain. All that's a dim memory now. The sun may still has three more weeks before it reaches the halfway point in its northward crawl, but it sure felt a lot like spring these last few days.

This past weekend we had glorious weather, and it was great to get out and enjoy the warm sunshine before we cool off again in the coming days. The weather reports say we may get a little spritz of rain, though not nearly enough to break the drought we're in, which is why Governor Schwarzenegger last week declared a drought emergency for California. Water rationing for farms and cities appears to be on the way, and a long, dry fire season awaits. But for now, the hills are still green, and the frogs are croaking away in great choruses if you're up for an evening hike.

Might as well celebrate the good weather while it's here.