The ice and snow are slowly, slowly melting from the garden and the ice sheet is receding on my little pond.
Through this particularly grey winter it hasn't just been the meteorological climate that has been bitingly harsh; the winter chill seems to have pervaded the general mood as well.
But under the worst of conditions, life and hope emerges (as sure as eggs is eggs) and sure enough this weekend, from under the snowy duvet on the pond appeared the first batch of frog spawn.
If the frogs have confidence that conditions will improve, then I want to share their optimism.
Here's to new beginnings!
Pippa's Song by Robert Browning
The year's at the spring,
The day's at the dawn;
Morning's at seven;
The hill-side's dew pearl'd;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his heaven-
All's right with the world!
