The Unending Winter

Now, this is a great idea. In China, the first day of Spring is announced when temperatures over five consecutive days average above 10 degrees Celsius, or 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This year, that day came on March 24th - making the first day of Spring in Shanghai Friday, March 19. That makes this winter Shanghai's longest in 15 years.

Seriously now, this is a swell idea. It more literally reflects how we talk and feel. And this has been a long winter. Although our high today reached 52 degrees, temps are quickly dropping to the lower forties. While yesterday saw sunshine and a high in the mid-70s, the forecasts for the rest of the week look more like today - rainy and chilly.

Over the past two years, we've been wearing shorts by early April. This year, we're still wearing sweaters now, and this week's forecast shows no signs of improvement. Particularly troublesome because my really-big-belly clothes, purchased back in September, expected a warm April of skirts and tank tops. This 34 week belly is really pushing the limits of my jeans and sweaters!