A Snow Bunny or Something More Sinister?

*26-Dec-2009 ♰2-Mar-2010

He was erected on the day after Christmas. We took advantage of mild temps and rain turning into heavy, sticky snow to mold this tall sculpture in our front yard. Somehow, the yielding snow did not support our sophisticated engineering techniques and after finishing, the structure began leaning ever so slightly, then a little more. He would have doubtlessly met an early demise by simply tipping over if it hadn't been for strong frosts following the December thaw. He even withstood the attacks of some roving New Year's Eve revelers who were only able to knock off the ears we had glued on to disguise what was really to be a fertility symbol.

Neighbors, teachers from a local junior high school and even university students shook their heads in dismay and grumbled under their breaths, averting their glances embarassed from this impudent monument to virility.  They oughtn't have worried, as the sculpture was sacrificed to the advance of the fertile season. He stood proudly for nearly three months but in the end, the sun go to him. By March 2, it colapsed under its own weight and by March 14, only a few lumps of coal remained ...

Signs of Spring

The snow may still be knee-high or even deeper in many places, but there are many signs that winter is on his way out:

• The phallic symbol we we sculpted from snow in early December finally fell on March 2. It had even withstood  assaults by teens but was no match to the warming rays of the sun
• I removed the skis from my car. I somewhat miss them poking me in the ribs while I drive
• I sprung for a car wash
• On March 3, I went running instead of skiing
• I ran without a hat and without gloves
• The dog was occasionally running on grass 
• The dog is in need of cleaning before coming back into the house
• There were hardly any slippery spots on the sidewalk
• Dairy Queen on Snelling is open

• I caught glimpses of bare legs here and there
• Day-time temps have been above freezing for more than a week 
• The weather oracles are moving from snow storms to spring flooding