This time of year used to be referred to as "cabin fever' season. Our days are longer and we're gaining about 5 minutes of sunlight to our days per day.

Yesterday after showering I went out to brush a fresh 1-1/2" of snow off the car, then drive out to Starbucks. Today the temperature dropped to 16°F and for dog walking we drove up to one of the trailheads where it was 10°F. The dog loved it and plowed through the trailside snow depth like it was diaphonous ferns. There were many people who drove up there to ski the trails and enjoy the views of town and mountains for Easter. This is the time of year the ravens head back to the nearby mountains to start their nests and domestic chick raisng. Their place is taken by seabirds and Canada geese but it is a bit too early for them. I thought I saw some trees with buds but we're a couple of weeks from leafing out. Nevertheless there are many devoted gardeners who are chomping at the bit to get outside, but no official outdoor gardening until Memorial Day.