Heaven knows the weather's miserable now

[anef]

It's sleeting now. I go out wrapped in my long winter coat, my nose and mouth covered, with hat and hood above. I try not to hunch against the wind, but it hurls sharp crystals at my eyes.  The spring blossoms on the trees are holding up well, with just a scatter of white or pink on the ground below, but the magnolia trees are full of fat waxy candles waiting to bloom.  If the flowers come out now it will be carnage.