Friday, March 6, 2009

springing forward

There was a shift in the air today. I flung the windows wide open.
Well, metaphorically speaking. I actually just slid them across, but I like the idea of flinging them open. I've always wanted to live in one of those large Paris apartments with huge windows that have a latch and open outward onto a little balcony. I can see myself, long flowing gown, flinging open the tall windows onto a street scene below, Paris skyline above with the Eiffel Tower in the distance, someone riding a bicyclette, waving some flowers in one hand, shouting up to me that he has croissants...

Oh, sorry. I'm back.

The breeze that blew in was fresh and smelled of ... S P R I N G!

Spring Forward.

The clocks will move ahead an hour this weekend, far earlier than we are used to (3 weeks earlier). But maybe that will mean Spring will follow quickly with flowers, and birds, and more sunshine, and warmth...

Until two years ago, the time changes came about on the first Sunday in April and again on the last Sunday in October. Now it is the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.

Blogger ate my post where I tried to be both witty and informative about Daylight Savings Time. But really, I'd just as soon go back to my fantasy than rewrite it all.

Now, where was I ...

Paris ... spring ... croissants ... coffee

38 comments:

  1. It's been gorgeous the past two days here, too. I'm going to post some pictures later to prove it. :)

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  2. I flung open my windows today, too! Well, I raised them to let the paint fumes out. Does that count?

    I finally got my dining room painted after many hours and days of wallpaper-stripping and taping all the crown molding and chair rail and other trim in preparation.

    Now it feels fresh and clean in there, or at least it will when the carpet is removed and replaced with wood flooring. One of hubby's many projects for 2009.

    Your "trip" to Paris sounds delightful!

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  3. I love when the time changes and we get more daylight in the evenings. I wish they'd not change it back in the fall, though.

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  4. We've had some lovely sunny days lately here too - but freezing temperatures at night still. Spring is definitely on the way. But I'm NOT looking forward to losing an hour of my precious sleep on Sunday morning!

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  5. I actually got sunburned going to the park with my nieces today! yay spring

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  6. Robin, your pictures were too funny. Am not sure I'm ready for that just yet!

    So you are into spring cleaning, of sorts, Susan?

    Were I not working nights, Citizen I would enjoy it more too.

    I hate losing that hour, Pinklea. I lose more than that as I fret over it the whole weekend.

    Char, check out Robin's photos (see sidebar: The Dreamtime, she's in Chicago)

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  7. When you described your Paris room I envisaged myself in Chagal's painting - from the Paris window....eith the pussy cat on the window sill...

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  8. Interesting...you have a great imagination :)
    on Monday I'm going to post something about Spring (in January!) -

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  9. Your fantasy sounds like a movie I'd like to watch. It's funny that everyone will be grousing about the "lost hour" but I never notice it. Well, except for changing what seems like our 300 clocks. Anyway, you'll always have Paris.

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  10. Dang it - we're having snow again! But I will still daydream with you about Paris :)

    Our DST doesn't start until the end of the month...Europe refuses to change...but frankly, I could use a couple more hours of sunlight these days :)

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  11. I love flinging my windows open - I can, well, gently! And I hate the clocks moving back and forward. Why can't they leave them alone? having read about your clocks going forward this weekend, I must check the diary quickly - I don't think ours go forward for a couple of weeks yet. But you never know!

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  12. I actually woke up to sunshine here in rainy Belgium, so I can totally relate to your spring-like feelings.

    As for Paris:
    I lived in (suburban) Paris during a year in the 90s. What struck me most was how many Paris locals were longing to leave their overcrowded town and head south to the Mediterranean coast,
    dreaming about a cottage in the hills.

    But I loved your imaginary trip, making me recall images from the movie "Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain" ("Amelie", 2001)

    I guess it's all about perspective ;-)

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  13. Today is our first nice day. The sun is shining and it is only a little bit cold out. Well, I still need a winter jacket and a scarf. Still, the sun is shining and little things are blooming, I have seen them! Crocuses and such. Hurray!

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  14. I'm completely on board with the window-flinging and the Paris apartment. How about when we both retire we'll go get us one of them and fling our twilight years away? (in all senses of the word)

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  15. Had to look up that one, Delwyn, but good thinking! His flying people scare me just a little!

    It really comes out with lack of sleep, Jeannette!

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  16. I remember when I lived in Europe, trying to keep track of the different time changes for each country. Sorry about the snow, CC, but do come along for the ride.

    It feels way too early, still. Can you gently fling them open onto your garden, Gilly?

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  17. ...and it expanded throughout the night as I thought about it more, Geewits!

    AND, I still have 2 clocks I never got around to changing last time, so finally every one will be in sync!

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  18. Well, Peter, the beauty of my fantasy is the banishment of any annoying crowds to some other street where I don't have to see them. But, truly, I think I would be fed up with the people very quickly.

    (and I loved Amelie, maybe I'll rent it this weekend)

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  19. Irene, so next time get out there on your bike with your camera and share them with us (for those times when you can't think of more than 6 sentences to write - add pictures!)

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  20. Hehe, now you'll be daydreaming out your windows, Gwen!

    XUP, how long must we wait?
    I could leave now and support us in pastries by massaging all those uptight Parisiennes who long to escape the crowds...

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  21. how wonderful - mmm croissants and Paris.. must do that soon, must drop hints... ;)

    Spring, however is already on it's way, pleased it found you too, x

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  22. Your fantasy is MUCH better than the reality of Daylight Savings Time!

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  23. And I envy how close you are to France, Katie.

    Sometimes I really dislike reality, Louise, thank's for visiting.

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  24. Yes, flinging open the window sounds better than sliding it across!

    We won't be putting the clocks forward for a while yet. 29th March. I just looked up on Google.

    Blogger is doing some weird things lately.

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  25. Oh yes, I'll come back to your fantasy with you - Paris, croissants, pavement cafes on the Left Bank, spring... Hmm-mmm. Isn't it amazing what spring does to one!

    And meanwhile, here, despite temps of 40+degrees celsius all week, it's supposed to be the march of autumn...

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  26. Oh that would be wonderful, and I would be in the aprtment next door and we would have cosy soiree's with vin de rouge....

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  27. Yes, Maggie, and I wish we didn't have screens blocking the air, too.

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  28. Oh Vanilla, is there any other city that has this effect on one?

    Yes, yes, Amanda, (may I call you that, if we are to have soirees?) how much fun we would have!

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  29. Oh I LOVE your Paris Fantasy...It sounds PERFECT to me....! So, indeed...Go back to it and expound on it some more....I think you have the biginning of a short story or maybe even a Novel.....!

    LOVE your Header picture. So very Beautiful....But I know you are so so SOOOO Ready to put Spring Flowers up there...lol!

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  30. Naomi, a short story at best! And yes, I am indeed ready for some spring flowers!

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  31. Thanks for the reminder about the clocks. I thought it was the end of March! Spring is definitely in the air up here but it's still jolly cold!

    CJ xx

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  32. grrrr.... blogger doesn't like me today *stare at blogger with angry eyes* Trying this again.

    In less than a month, I will be in Paris so will flung open a window on your behalf. Then I'll have a croissant :)

    I went for a run on Friday, my first "serious" run since last weekend. OMG I was overdressed! I felt and looked very flushed by the time I got home but oh it felt good NOT to wear gloves, or a hat, or a neck warmer! Bring on spring!

    It always takes me a week for my body to adjust to that misplaced hour. I woke up this morning to darkness and I know that in just a few weeks, we'll be having clear and sunny mornings again. I look forward to celebrating spring with you soon my friend :)

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  33. The last two days spring weather...then today snow again...March has always been my least favorite month as far as weather goes...

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  34. Spring seems to float around, doesn't it, CJ, touching down every now and then. And yes, Oliag it has the most extremes.

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  35. I thought of you UA after I posted this...

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  36. All of my stupid window open inward.

    So I have the balcony window things that you're talking about, but they open inward.

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  37. That can be such a pain, Kylie for furniture placement. And for banging your head when flinging open.

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