A TAD BREEZY

I’ve stuck my nose outside a couple times today – my weather app is correct; it’s a tad breezy out there.

I had plans (note the past tense).

Good old March – the old lamb/lion or lion/lamb month is going to live up to its reputation in 2021.  It started off pretty chilly, yet quiet, but now as the end of the month nears those in the business of weather predictions are warning us to anchor our outdoor possessions if we ever want to see them again.  Apparently things are going to get ‘blustery’ tomorrow – you know, as opposed to the light breeze we are experiencing today?  It’s hardly windy at all today.

I had thought I was going to go out to do some yard clean up this afternoon and enjoy the warm sunshine on my shoulders.  Turns out the cat might be right – sunbeams are better enjoyed on the couch.

There’s an old story about Saskatchewan’s constant state of windiness.  Something to do with us being sandwiched between two provinces that either ‘suck’ or ‘blow’.  Not wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings I won’t say which is which but our predominate wind direction is west to east so you can work it out for yourself.  Our personal claim to fame is being the straight-sided ‘Gap’ province in the middle – you know; flat and boring, nothing tall enough to slow the wind down. 

It’s an inside, middle of Canada kind of joke.

So, so much for raking and cleaning up the straw we used for insulating the well and covering the roses last winter; that will wait for a calmer day.  The same goes for cleaning up the deadfall branches in the tree shelterbelt – no point in doing a half a job.  With at least 24 hours of promised gusts up to 85kph my guess is there will be more to pick up by Wednesday.

It’s a pity to waste these lovely temperatures though.  This would be the perfect Sunday afternoon to enjoy a socially distanced outdoor glass of wine with my neighbour on the deck, but today there’s no blaming Alberta for this gentle zephyr we are experiencing, this one is compliments of North Dakota and our deck faces south.  Another plan that won’t happen today.

As per usual, we are being warned to put things away or tie them down.  I have only two things out on my front lawn – the two Christmas deer that are mere wire frames which the wind will blow right through and are never-the-less still anchored into frozen lawn.  I’m more concerned about our big old trampoline/wind sail that likes to flutter threateningly in front of the picture window when there’s a big blow.  Unfortunately it has melted free of its icy winter tether.  It has only actually taken flight once and no one was here to see it, but the fact that our chimney bricks were scattered across the back yard and the trampoline was in a heap in the trees kind of told the story.  As a trampoline is hard to ‘put away’ I will just cross my fingers and hope for the best.

The only other outdoor plan I had for the day was to barbeque steaks for supper.  The ‘breeze’ has gone down a smidge as it prepares to change directions and ramp up for tomorrow’s gale so there is a possibility I will manage to get the fire lit. 

It will be nice if at least one thing goes according to plan.