well,

the ice did go out of the rivers and ponds,

even the shallow vernal ponds are thin this, so far, dryish spring.

i keep finding more about this place

there are lots of oaks.

i really haven't been paying attention!

and this red wing blackbird was playing

hide and seek with me yesterday

and the pussy willows above the kitchen sink

are bursting forth.

lovely twigs i brought home

like precious jewels

from my walk yesterday

(when i had to tell my neighbors

why i was walking alone

and felt again the weight of grief, for a little bit)

but not this morning!

ice in, it's raining ice right now!

freezing rain, school is closed.

update:
some ice

indeed!