It's cold. Yesterday it snowed. Tulips and snowdrops are coming up and the days are getting longer, but still it's cold. Whitecaps on the bay. Hard to imagine diving under those waves today, but that time will be here soon. Many people escape this time of year, go south, lie on the beach and soak up the sun. Return with a tan. The sandhill cranes are coming north instead. They pass in flight, their voices croaking high above. The lilacs have buds, as do most of the trees and bushes, though flowers and leaves are a month away. Skiing is probably done. No blizzards to come. Early bedtime hard to justify when it's still light out. A pair of cardinals live nearby. They have a jolly family every year. Now that our cat is dead, I won't worry about the fledglings.