Listen. Do you hear it? That rumbling in the distance as local bikers make their way down the highway. And then there's the flip-flop sound of, what else, flip-flops as people walk by in shorts and T-shirts.
A typical late-spring day in the South. But wait a minute, it's barely February.
Seventy degrees on Groundhog's Day. That is unreal. But as I write this, that is what the weatherman is forecasting. The next ten-day outlook is also very mild with highs hanging around the fifties.
Unless something changes, you had better be ready to do battle with the bugs and weeds in just a few short weeks, as the ground has never really frozen hard this winter. Of course, February and March in Alabama can always deliver some surprises.
This weather may make you think about cutting your hibernation short and planning your spring projects and honey-do list. This is a good time to take a stroll around the yard and pick up limbs that have fallen during the recent storms and rocks that have mysteriously grown in the yard. Look for low spots and fill them in with top soil or sand. They will most likely get a start of grass as Spring comes on. You'll probably need your rubber boots. The ground is a bit mucky.
This is also a great time to start up your lawnmower. Let it run for a few minutes to lubricate the engine thoroughly. Look for rusty spots in the metal, lightly sand them and spray on a little paint. Change the oil and sharpen the blades if you didn't do it last fall. Check all bolts and nuts to be sure they are tight.
The groundhog may come out wearing shades and carrying a lawn chair, or he may be carrying an umbrella. Either way, be weather-aware. These warm temps can always stir up some severe weather.
Remember, help is just around the corner at your local hardware store.
