Have to show you something

Evening sky tonight. The day was rather warm; the nights are cold, temperatures go down into the 50ies F.
I've been thinking of my friends in the USA and the storm. In Europe, there was a tradition to ring a bell against storm and lightning. Some steeples still have a bell which was used as the storm bell. It is still contained in popular phrases. "Ring the storm bell" ("Sturm laeuten") means to ring a doorbell vehemently.

Sunshine and Rain

We had a very dry April, which is good for the blossoms, but a very cold time, too, which is bad for the insects. So the blossoms remained widely unvisited.

Left: Cherrytree in the country between Hamburg and Stade

If May will be more on the wet side, we have a hopeful outlook on harvest and fruits.

"When the May is cool and wet, peasants will get rich, you bet." (Ist der Mai kuehl und nass, fuellt dem Bauern Scheun' und Fass.)

"Ash trees green before the oak: You won't need your weather cloak.
But if oaks are first in green, rains will wash the country clean."
(Gruent die Esche vor der Eiche, gibt's die grosse Bleiche. Gruent die Eiche vor der Esche, gibt's die grosse Waesche)

This is a rough translation for 2 German weather proverbs. In this year, the Ash was first to open buds. --

Bats are flying in couples! When we were sitting on the balcony at dusk the other day, a couple of small bats were playing. They were chasing each other in daring manoeuvres for almost half an hour, up and down in our backyard.
Added one day later: The incredible beauty of the chestnut blossom. Yellow and pink on one stem!