The harbor entry rocks and the rocky south shoreline, still ice coated from last week's storm, glisten in their pristine settings. The surrounding forest and hills seem to be ignoring this show of color and sparkle. They steadfastly retain the somber dull brown and grey of winter, their latent juices of fresh greening not yet sufficiently aroused by a sun still seeking its March equinox destiny. The pattern of persistent grey cloud cover, our lot for the many winter months, seems to be finally broken. Pale blue skies now dominate our days and when clouds enter the skyscape, they are white and fluffy.
Nights are cold and days remain cool, but the mid-day sun is warm.
Abby snoozes in sun patches by the south windows, moving from west to east as the day progresses. I loiter in the warmth of the sun drenched front stoop, sheltered from cooling lake breezes, and enjoying the sight and sound of the harbor ice jostling at my doorstep. A warming trend is in the making and by noon the sparkling blue open water in mid harbor had spread almost to the west beach, aided by a soft southerly breeze. The ice is disappearing and my guess is that we will see no more this winter. The Soo Locks open in a week, on the 23rd, but lakers are already on the move.