Weather Update

It's late February here in Minnesota, and for the last week it's been bitterly cold. The highs have barely cleared zero, with an occasional 5 degrees for variety. Bitter bitter cold. The kind of cold where even for the short time it takes to hook the dog to a leash to go out into the back yard, you need shoes and a sweater.

That was then. This is now.

The cold has disappeared. Yesterday, temperatures flirted with 50 degrees--coyly peeping out from under its bangs and blinking s-l-o-w-l-y, making its eyelashes sweep dramatically up and down. Maybe putting the tip of its tongue in the corner of its mouth? Flirty!

Today was warm again, and the sky was clear and blue and the sun was warm. Birds are starting to call out their territories, people are leaving their coats at home. High school girls are wearing short skirts and canvas tennis shoes outdoors, and puddles are forming between the retreating snow banks. Last night, I lay in bed feeling too warm for even just a sheet, wondering if I could realistically open the window to cool off the room.

It feels like spring here, a season that doesn't arrive here this early. Not usually, anyway. Maybe we're just all celebrating the start of spring training?