Outside the Friends Diner, which straddles the Syracuse neighborhoods of Eastwood and Lyncourt, promise of BBQ season.
The Syracuse TV station weather guy said Wednesday morning shall bring one last snow.
He called it the last gasp of winter, as a matter of fact.
I hope so.
As I walked with Ellie B, aka Dogamous Pyle, this afternoon prior to the last snowy hurrah, I kept my eyes open for any signs of spring.
And the first one, serendipitously so, was in fact a sign. Placed outside the Friends Diner, it advertised the weekly chicken barbecue to come.
I closed my eyes and imagined the smell of food well-charred, eaten outside, sitting happily in the sun.
A block later, I spotted the front yard tree, below.
I do believe those are buds up there in the branches.
I closed my eyes and imagined the smell of leaves and blossoms, emerging outside, perched for their glorious turn in the sun.
A tree buds in Syracuse.
What are the first signs of spring you see in your neck of the woods? Has it happened yet this year?
Mark Bialczak 
I’m smelling Bar-b–que and feel a gentle breeze from the maple outside my window.
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Yes, that’s the way to start April, Kim.
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That seems to be a rather bold prediction for up your way! Even in much milder St. Louis, the weathermen don’t dare declare winter to be officially dead until about the second week of April.
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I hope the prediction is bold and beautiful, ESN!
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I’ve seen signs…..but then I drove home from work in greying light. Parked at home. Looked down to get my water bottle and something hit the car. I looked up. SNOW was falling, the wind was SCREAMING. Sigh. Went in the house and down to the basement to do my workout. It was dark. Half hour later I return and the sun is shining. SHINING. Half hour after that. Dark and snow showers. But I have seen signs…. 😉
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I like your signs of light and hope, Colleen.
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After the snowy awakening the sun is now shining, some green grass is peeking out, already mowed at least once, and there are red and rust colored buds on the trees. It’s just a bit above freeze point, but we’ve had some weather in the 60’s and 70’s, so I count those as good omens. Wind is still howling, but that happens year round. Ah, Mark, spring is in the air. My sinuses tell me so.
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Red and rust colors are a true sign of a change, Angie. Kentucky first, Syracuse later.
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I was asking my guy friend, Mark, at work today this same question. Since I feel I have covered Spring a ton this year in my posts, I will tell you what he said, “When I hear the peepers!” He says they are not the same as pollywogs nor bullfrogs who make deep sounds. I am not sure I have heard a ‘peeper’ in years! They are tiny and ‘cute,’ as I remember! I like the crocuses that are in bloom in my friend’s yard. Smiles, Robin
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Peepers and crocuses. I shall write them down on my spring list, Robin. We don’t have any crocuses up here yet, and I’ve yet to hear a peeper peep.
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The sun shining and the snow piles diminishing are good for me for now, and I cannot wait for more positive signs. Here’s to spring!
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I raise a toast, too, Chris.
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I do believe you are right, it does look like bulbs on the tree. I look forward to seeing a picture of it in full bloom. 😀
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We hope to see more as we walk, Ellie B and I, PJ.
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oh, go to your happy place mark. go to your happy place…….
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I am about to go play virtual golf at the mall, Beth, and that is a happy place.
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wishing you a low score and high times, mark )
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Yay! We have buds on our cottonwood tree. I bet they’ll be green by tomorrow!
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I’ve already seen two Robins, and the Starlings are going nuts. Sure signs. (Lakeland area)
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I am glad to hear the birds of spring are noticeable in the Lakeland area, Erin!
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Wonderful, Mark! First sign, the willows turning golden…that’s spring!!
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Wooohooooo, Barb!
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The BBQ sounds great. There are thousands of kids here in the UK who would envy you – they LOVE snow. Here we are back to cold rain. Summer must be here already.
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I am ready to swap the snow for some cold rain, Rachel.
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shall we organise an exchange?
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It would be tough logistics, but what the heck.
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Reblogged this on Marthakeimstlouis’s Blog and commented:
Mark, for me it’s the trilliums
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