Today, finally, it feels as though spring is serious about its presence. We were able to keep the screen door to the deck open awhile, and Jackie and Jillie agitated continually to be out and about. And since it was so wonderfully warm, the sun's presence creeping onto the deck, I decided that I would groom our two little imps outside, on the deck. So assembling all the grooming scissors, brush and patience, we sat together on the deck, they and I, and the job was done.

My husband busied himself at the front of the house, shovelling the tons -- I kid you not -- of spent seeds from all of our bird feeders and feeding stations into compost bags to be hauled off for major composting by the municipality. While he was working, goldfinches and redpolls and squirrels still streamed out of the trees and onto the feeders when he briefly left the scene to bring in more compost bags.

We decided we'd go to the ravine for an early walk before bathing the newly groomed and oh so presentable little scamps, so off we went, light cotton jackets, no gloves for the first time in ages. Jackie and Jillie wore only their harnesses, the first time they've gone out into the ravine without even light coverings since late last fall. We don't think it really makes any difference to them, but they did seem to be particularly energized, full of vim and vinegar; piss too, if truth be told.

It was warmer even than yesterday, and tomorrow we've been informed by forecasters, will be warmer yet, with Monday topping it all with a 20-degree high. Most of the snow and ice has gone or is melting apace in the ravine, but there are still areas remaining where broad vistas of snow remain on the forest floor, and where the packed ice is six inches thick. Although we were dressed lightly, our feet were shod in boots and cleats.

Yesterday and today we saw our first Mourning Cloaks and small orange skippers, a sure sign of the season progressing firmly into spring, and about time.