Well... that was quick

One of the joys, especially as you get older, of living in Florida is the relatively short, relatively mild winters. I would still love to live somewhere that gets snow on a regular basis again, perhaps in the north east or the upper mid-west, but for the foreseeable future, I live in Florida.

I'm not sure if it's global warming, climate change, or just one of those years, but winter seemed to pass by very quickly with very little cold.

I was driving to work the other day and came upon a flock of robins busily pulling up worms after a light rain. Mom looked out her window and found the first gold finch of the year gorging at her feeder. The lawns that had finally started turning brown are greening up again. And my japanese magnolia in the front yard broke into bloom last week. Three days later, this:

I seem to remember this process taking much longer when I was a child, but upon closer inspection, sure enough:

It's official. Spring has sprung.

And Punxatony Phil? Sorry dude, you keep this up and you'll be out of a job.

In other news...

Why I'm late for work:

And Kate? If you're still checking in, I just wanted to let you know that the lights are down, but Steve is still here.

Living by my front porch.

Frankly, we're amazed that he's still alive. He may be trying to grow roots, and if he is, we will plant him.