Reminder

Blue skies and sunshine now blaze across a still white landscape. The roads are clear, but the pavements are still too icy to walk safely on, and it's been a home day thus far. As I type, this reminder of autumn planting has passed into shadow as the sun goes down behind the house, but the reflections on the icy snow glisten like jewels.

Imbolc with snow! How rare a treat. Spring is, if not quite here, just around the corner. Green shoots push through cold brown earth, and on the trees that haven't been blown over or toppled by snow, new buds are appearing. Catkins swing in the chill breeze, and winter's final blast is in retreat.