When the sun is shining and the temperature rises above 40 on Feb. 20, 2014, in Syracuse, N.Y., it is reason to fly the flag.
Oh, so pleasant was my walk with Ellie B, aka Dogamous Pyle, through our Syracuse city neighborhood this morning.
No hat. No gloves. Winter jacket zipper pulled down to three-quarters. After a winter of steady 20s, teens, and polar-vortex really-now temperatures, a break into the 40s with a shining sun is very welcome my man and dog.
A trio of my neighbors thought the occasion so wonderful they hung their American flags.
My top shot was an attempt at iPhone 4 art.
Nicely displayed.
Above and below are two more proud displays of Old Glory.
Stars and Stripes over the snow banks.
Ellie B and I had a spring to our steps, for sure.
That season of renewal is coming. Today proved it.
More winter first, though. Clouds already have gathered in front of the sun.
Have you rejoiced for recent signs of spring? What do you look for from Mother Nature as February moves to its final week?
Mark Bialczak 
That break from the frigid winter and a bit of sunshine always improved my mood. Enjoy, Mark. I won’t bore you with our temps in Florida. 😉
LikeLike
It has been in the 70s here the past couple of days, and I have started Spring cleaning. Today the temps are good, but clouds moving in…tornado watches are coming. It’s all good. I’m glad you got a “warm” up! 🙂
LikeLike
We needed it, Kim. Forecasts call for the return of cold. Already. Be careful about that twister warning!
LikeLike
…”return of cold”…uck! I will be safe thanks Mark.
LikeLike
I heard spring birds the last few mornings!
LikeLike
The coming of the warm weather birds always makes me happy, Mer.
LikeLike
First, thanks for the vote of confidence for the SU team, ksbeth! No doubt, they’re fine-tuning strategies for future games. Mark, thanks for this post–my mood was definitely better today, much better, and I think it must be the Spring Teaser. (In Syracuse, that’s anything over 35 degrees.) 🙂
LikeLike
It was such a pick-me-up to get that hour out in the sun with dog, Ermi. Saturday, were going to the chili cook-off at Winterfest. I hope it’s not biting cold again, yet. We’ve had some doozies there.
LikeLike
it looks like a beautiful return of the sun, mark. your pictures show it nicely and i’m glad it put a spring back in your step as we step towards spring. i am soooooooo ready. sad about the orange, but you’ll still come out on top )
LikeLike
The Orange loss to Boston College may take some of the pressure off against Duke, is my thought on that one, Beth. Hey, maybe that will be my Saturday morning post! Yes, don’t we need spring in Ann Arbor and Syracuse, Beth? Like, soon!
LikeLike
that’s a good way to look at it mark, and i do think you’ll take duke. hope you do write about it. yes, yes, yes we need spring.
LikeLike
We had a similar day downstate too. But it quickly got chilly this evening. 🙂
LikeLike
It is just above freezing now, but was spitting down a slushy rain as I drove home from my bowling league, Kim. We’re supposed to get two more warm-ish days before the vortex returns!
LikeLike
We are on the same wavelength, Mark! Although, there are a lot fewer piles of snow around here in Delaware, (Central Ohio)! Thanks for the award, I hope you will be pleased, I am about to publish it, just finishing it up! Smiles, Robin
LikeLike
So that’s where Delaware County is. I’ve noticed you using that location when you talk about the library, but I did not know you lived in Ohio. I will look for your award post to learn more, Robin.
LikeLike
Positively a balmy 40 degrees here, too – and it’s definitely lifting my spirits. It’s been a tough winter. I’m ready for some warmth.
LikeLike
Yes, Samara, time for some warmth in Syracuse and New Jersey.
LikeLike
This weather really does a number on me physically and emotionally.
I think it’s supposed to be…50? This weekend? Wow!
LikeLike
I was just thinking of how great it is to see my daffodils springing up again. Azaleas are in bloom. 70’s round here for a stretch. Begging the question will it ever rain again? Sorry to carry on about it but it’s really making me nervous.
LikeLike
You may carry on about it to me. I get it, Sandra. You guys need rain out there in California.
LikeLike
Took a pic of a daffodil in our garden this morning! Don’t hate me 🙂
LikeLike
Envy, yes. Hate never, Rachel.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
It is a pretty day here, too, despite the fact that I just had five teeth done at the dentist’s office, and I look like a drooling Bill Cosby. And it’s my birthday. Glad you can see spring on the horizon.
LikeLike
Oh, poor dear, dental work on your birthday. Happy Birthday, Kerbey. Recover by cake time, please.
LikeLike
I’m not allowed to chew until dinner. 😦
LikeLike
It’s such a wonderful feeling that the flags are the first to be put on display. Ours is in the center of the lawn, so we’ll be waiting a little bit longer to put it up. Hopefully, the time won’t be too much longer.
As for the sun, it’s wonderful Despite winter, we have seen a lot of sun this year. It’s a great change.
LikeLike
Sun + warm = Happy Bialczaks on a walk.
LikeLike
Happy Spring! It seems to come one month more early than usual this year.
Irene
LikeLike
i hope so, Irene, I really hope so.
LikeLike
It’s 70 degrees, I’m cleaning out the closet and waiting on the tornado watch to be issued.
LikeLike
I hope you do not get a twister, PLGCM.
LikeLike
Bummer SU got beaten last night. My family is rooting for a miracle and UVA beating SU on 3/1 !
LikeLike
It won’t take a miracle, Ann. The Cavaliers are very good this season, as I saw against my Maryland Terrapins. Syracuse had a great run; 25-0 may stand as the best start at SU for a good, long time.
LikeLike
I hope you are right! Jim Bahime has been there forever! He was there when my daughter went to SU and she is 44 now! Is he ever going to retire?
LikeLike
Jim Boeheim has been at Syracuse for 38 years, Anne. My guess is that he’s like to hit 40 seasons.
LikeLike
I am not a good speller in English. . . And I sure butchered that name. KT told a story of waiting to cross the street when coach B cut the corner in his little red sports car, splashed and almost hit her! She slammed her hand down hard on the trunk to register her annoyance. Gracious , not sure where she learned such. “Yankee” rude behavior. . . . Certainly from her southern mama!
LikeLike
http://talesalongtheway.com/2014/02/21/the-birds-in-auburn-new-york/
Have you seen this?
LikeLike