May 16: Occasional reader(s) will know that I gauge the arrival of Spring by the full bloom of the Saucer Magnolia trees in my neighbourhood. On May 9 last year, with the tree at the end of the street in bloom, I concluded that Spring was “underway”. The weather was cold – one day above 20C in a month – and wet – 20mm of rain in 30 days. During this strangest of times, this years weather has not been much warmer or dryer.
Since the Saucer Magnolias are now more or less in bloom, and this is the Victoria Day weekend, I suppose I can again conclude that Spring is underway if not yet fully arrived. As I think back to May Two-Four Weekends of years past I can recall some pretty poor weather, so I know that this time of year has always been “changeable”.
I’m sure that being in isolation has tended to focus my thinking on how poor the days have been. A period of warmer and drier days would let us get outside for a while and ease the feeling of being locked inside (for 9 weeks now). I know that I am not alone. My fear is that if the weather does turn suddenly warmer and clear, most people will abandon isolation and start thronging to public places. As we begin the process of easing separation, I could then foresee a rebound in the number of COVID cases and a further period of isolation.
So perhaps the lousy weather is a double-edged sword: discouraging and unpleasant, but easier to endure if we must isolate ourselves. It’s an exercise in patience however you think of it. Stay well.