Signs of Spring

I know I should be worried about global warming rather than rejoicing in the unseasonably warm weather, but I can't help feeling a little thrill when I see those green shoots breaking through the dirt.

It's only February, but soft pussy willow buds hang at the end of tree limbs and birds chirp from bare branches.

These are hollyhocks already sprouting. 

The temperature today rose into the 60s. And, although it looks to dip down into the 30s in the coming week, predictions are for 60s again next weekend.

This is an iris that has already faced some winter weather

And I'm not the only one enjoying the warm weather.

He wouldn't lie still but kept rolling around, so he looks slightly evil. 

Saturday Snapshot -- Weather Changes

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme, post a photo that you (or a friend of family member) have taken. Then leave a direct link to your post on West Metro Mommy. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.
We're still in single digits here in Ohio this morning, but I'm not complaining because it's supposed to be even colder on Monday and Tuesday.

More snow and freezing rain tomorrow too. I'm sure my high school-aged son is already dreaming of another day off school, even though it would be his first day back from Christmas break. 

As for me, I'm changing my weather this afternoon. Check back for a picture to see what my weather looks like after 2 or so.
...

My son and I flew to Florida. In two short hours my weather went from that winter wonderland to overcast and in the 60s. People in Florida keep complaining about how cold it is. I'll take it.
Hope you're having a good, warm weekend.

Cat Toys

This morning in the dark (yes, it's still dark at 5 a.m. in case anyone wondered) as I put the kettle on for coffee water, I noticed both cats sitting together staring under the refrigerator.
I hate that. I hate when the cats stare at something. Sometimes they'll be staring at me, except not really at me but over my shoulder so then I have to turn around and look. Almost always, there is nothing behind me. Then I wonder if there's something there I can't see!
Anyway, cats sitting together staring under the refrigerator could mean a mouse. I put the water on the stove and rinsed out my press pot for coffee. The cats had shifted. They were both staring at the tile on the kitchen floor and Tupi reached out an occasional big paw to bat at something. Tupi, like Hemingway cats in Key West, Florida, has two extra toes, so his paws are really big.
I turned on the light in the kitchen to see what was fascinating the cats. I leaned over and saw there an innocent little bug. Now I'm no expert on bugs, but this was a little guy who wouldn't have frightened anyone in my house. The bug was about the size of one of Tupi's toes. He was brown and had a kind of shell on his back and a pointy head that looked like a rhinoceros horn. When I later looked him up, I'd say he falls under the category of a stink bug. They're called that because they emit an odor to keep from getting eaten by birds and lizards.
This stink bug no doubt was taking advantage of the warm weather. Since Sunday the weather has been in the high 50s. Earl has had the doors and windows open which fires up the cats' feisty nature anyway.
The cats continued to poke at the stink bug as he made his slow way along the tile.
I put a white napkin on the floor in front of him and he slowly climbed onto it. I took the napkin with the bug out the back door and tried to shake him off into the grass. Apparently, stink bugs have grasping feet because he didn't budge off the napkin. I just lay the napkin in the grass, figuring I'd retrieve it later once the bug had moved on to greener pastures.
Now the cats are staring at me as if I'd stolen their only toy in the house.
Considering that they woke me up at midnight knocking over a pedestal lamp, I think they're pretty lucky to still be in the house.