first swim, then blackberry winter

Last week it hit 95 degrees! We were totally caught by surprise to have such heat in April, and our air-conditioner was not ready for action. This called for emergency measures: first pond swim of the year!

Honestly, we weren’t prepared for swimming either—the kid’s bathing suits were tiny UV-destroyed tatters. So we made due with a couple of life preservers for floaties, to be replaced by spiffy new floaties asap. The kids didn’t care, they were SO HAPPY to be in the water, even if it was freezing, not yet warmed by summer sun.

But here we are, the following weekend, the new swimsuits are ready to go, but today is a balmy 73 degrees, and with rain in the air, it feels cool. Sophie is squirming to try out the new swim items, but it’s just too chilly. “Mommy, when is it going to be warm again? Will you check the weather?” She must have asked me seven times already this morning. Maybe another week?

At the same time, the blackberries are blooming. In the south, a period of cool weather has tended to occur when the blackberries bloom often enough that it has a name: blackberry winter. I don’t know if 73 qualifies as a ‘winter’ but it feels like heaven after 95 all last week. Maybe this is blackberry winter global-warming style.

Seeing the blooms makes my mouth water for my blackberry cobbler famous among literally fives of people. But not yet. Patience, Maya….

Although Sophie is eager for the heat to return, I hope blackberry winter lasts a bit—this temperature is perfect for humans, if you ask me. And isn’t it a beautiful phrase? Blackberry winter. Those old-timers knew how to cook up some nice weather poetry.