An Olympian Winter

As of March 1, winter is over in my world. Snow covers most of the ground and the last two nights saw temperatures in the 20's but it is still spring for me. The first spring bulbs- tiny white snow crocuses- have appeared. The cardinals and chickadees are singing in the dark early morning and yesterday there was a pair of Canadian geese trying out nesting areas by the river.
We have had a cold snowy winter and spent much of it- evenings at least- hunkered down in our snug little house. Ohio saw near- record snowfall in February. I imagine it will be weeks before the mountains of now gray snow will melt away, piled from shoveled driveways and parking lots. We definitely had record ice cycles hanging from the house. Before I knocked them down last weekend, a few went from roof to the ground. They were beautiful when caught in the rare moments of bright sun, sparkling like crystal, clear and blue.
Jim and I always enjoy the Olympics and the 2010 Vancouver Games were no exception. During the day I looked forward to the evening when our work was done, knowing plans for pizza and a few hours of skiing, skating or skateboarding were in store. Oliver, our tuxedo'd gentleman cat, also anticipated these evenings atop a warm TV.