don't look now

...but I think spring is coming. Really!

from the Tribune's editorial page today:

This will come as no surprise to the weather-weary multitudes around here. But since Dec.1 Chicago has gone no longer than two days without snow, sleet, slush, hail, rain or some unspeakable mix of the above. This little winter nugget was reported in Tuesday's Tribune by WGN-TV's Tom Skilling. But Tom's sorry trend could end this week. No cause to break out the Coppertone, but still. This wet winter also has been cold. It has been gray -- among the cloudiest winters ever. Snowfall thus far -- and isn't that a menacing phrase? -- totals 53 inches. Since the start of the year, snow has fallen on 46 days, the most in any year since 1975.The winter of 2007-2008 has been a character-builder, and it's not over. We can't officially peel winter's icy grip from our region for another two weeks, with the arrival of the vernal equinox March 20. Not that winters here pay much attention to such niceties as calendars, equinoxes or other imperatives. Even then, the nastiness may continue. Snow, cold and gloom don't usually respect their cue to exit in Chicago.
But we know change is coming -- and not just because daylight-saving time arrived Sunday. Step outside. There's a softness in the air that would have been unimaginable a week ago. The sky is ... not always gray. And there's not a drop of anything falling from it -- for the moment.

* * *

Thank you for sending thoughts of spring our way. Keep 'em coming!