At Last: A Hint Of Spring

Please forgive the geo-centricity. I realize full well that the summer is coming to an end in the Southern Hemisphere and that in the Southern US Spring has already unfolded. But here, in this cold corner where New York runs out and Massachusetts begins, the snow cover persists. It is melting slightly, but it is deep. And icy. There are more storms predicted: icy mix, rain, snow, wind. But in the midst of enduring seasonal affective grumpiness (SAG), there was a brief glimpse of hope this morning at 7 am ET.

The first redwing blackbird stood in the top of a tall bush and blew its referee's whistle. Over and over again. This bush, the surrounding area, all within his sight, his. Claiming it for himself. Even from others who had not yet arrived but who would surely come. Declaring his turf.

Every year the redwing blackbirds return to this corner of the planet in March just before the NCAA basketball tournament begins. Their return is the true March Madness. It signals that the end of winter is coming, even if the snow still covers the early green of the snow whites and crocuses.