This week Sue’s dictionary dished up ‘weather,’ and since I’m something of a freaky weather geek I couldn’t resist. Check out A Word in Your Ear for details on the challenge, other weather-related posts, and Sue’s own fabulous prose and photos.

I suppose I’ll arrange these chronologically by season, because, well, why not?

Nothing brings to mind the showery, warming days of spring to me more than bulbs bursting into bloom,

apple blossoms and storks returning to their nests to rear young,

and the snowline slowly retreating up the slopes of Mt. Fuji.

Summer brings storms and dramatic skies,

sunlight on water,

sudden squalls and rainbows,

still, misty mornings perfect for fishing,

and stunning sunsets.

Autumn for me triggers memories of crisp, sweater-weather days,

deep blue skies framing autumn foliage

and late in the season, foggy mornings and skeletal branches.

Winter weather can be punishing, especially in northern New England where I grew up, but it also provides low, lingering light and long shadows,

splashes of color in snowy trees,

silent, snow-stilled forests,

geese huddling out the weather on frozen ponds,

city parks transformed into wonderlands,

the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with a shovel,

or just to sit inside with a blanket and a cup of tea and watch it snow.

Thanks once again, Sue, for hosting this challenge. I’ve seen some great photos from others, particularly some stunning shots of lightning, which is something I’m still working on. Cheers!