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We still have a few weeks of winter left

Despite weather forecasts, it was still a bit surprising to be able to go outside without a coat for a few days this past week.

The sun had been shining. There was a warmth in the air. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought I was in South Carolina, or something.

Daffodils and tulips have started to sprout in my back yard, and I’ve even spotted a couple of rabbits hopping around in the darkness as I’ve been on my way to work in the mornings.

You would think spring was on its way, and, in most ways, it is. We’re still a few weeks away, though. There’s still time for cold temperatures and snow showers to remind us the season we’re in.

It’s only Feb. 26 today, and there has been talk of snow this weekend. In fact, as I’m writing this, there are dark clouds rolling across the skies of the Ohio Valley. I wouldn’t be surprised to have woken up today to a little bit of that white stuff on the ground.

It doesn’t seem right. I’m sure a lot of us got a bit of an emotional uplift from that sunshine the other day. It certainly helped to raise my spirits to see some blue in the sky and a few light clouds instead of a grayish tone.

It would have been great to just sit outside and relax for a little bit.

But, I have to remember it simply isn’t that time yet.

There have been a few years during my life where some of the worst weather of the season came in March.

We’ve experienced flooding, blizzards and ice storms when we should have been watching flowers bloom and listening to birds sing.

Yes, there is a little bit more daylight each day. The sun is rising earlier and setting later. Before too long, there will be plenty of time to lay out in the grass, or go for a walk or bicycle ride, or go swimming or boating or find yourself in some other outdoor recreational activity.

I’m already making plans of things to do in the warmer months. Possible day trips or activities to try out. Of course, that requires having the time to do them, not so much the warmer temperatures.

It would be great for it to just skip ahead now. We could declare it springtime. Baseball season could officially begin. Community festivals and other activities would get under way.

It would be a great time, just as it is every year.

But that time is not right now.

We have a few more weeks before spring is officially here, and we could still be facing a rollercoaster of meteorological activity.

That’s why I’ve refused to put away my winter coat, gloves or scarf.

The last few days of sunshine have definitely been nice, and I look forward to when it is a little more permanent in late March and early April.

Until then, I’ll just have to deal with staying indoors for a while longer.

I just hope the flowers are able to survive the next couple of weeks.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)

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