We're on the approach to the Vernal Equinox, when the sun sits closer to us as it approaches the celestial equinox, and our days are longer, nights shorter. We've noted the differences, since we already have longer days, the sun setting on our horizon much later than it did in November. March 20th marks the full astronomical transition bringing us into spring, another three weeks to go.

Meanwhile, we've had a peculiar February, with extremely cold temperatures and plenty of snow, balanced off with milder spates and February thunderstorms, lots of them. Our snowpack is beginning to decrease, but it will take much longer exposure to warmth and sun to dissipate entirely.

When we venture out into our backyard we've got to be careful because of the ice that has replaced the packed-down snow on our walkways, kept cleared throughout the winter months because of our two little dogs. Venturing out into the confines of the forested ravine, we wear cleats over our winter boots, enabling us to walk with confidence.

The freeze-and-thaw cycles have reduced the snow, but the snow covering the landscape has become denaturized in the process, corrupted so to speak. One does well to remain strictly on the trails, otherwise risking a rude surprise when a leg suddenly disappears up to the thigh in snow that has surrendered its structure to the forces of thaw-and-melt, despite the ambient cold atmosphere.

Now, ice has formed above the snowpack as well on the trails, since when there are clear skies the sun's springtime warmth serves to melt the surface and when nighttime falls and the temperature drops again, and it all turns to thick, solid ice. Our two little dogs explore the still-lofty areas of snowbanks that sustain their inconsiderable weight, but they find themselves slipping over the newly-icy surface.

Transition is clearly in progress. The promise of spring before us.