As usual, I went out to greet people in front of the church before worship service this morning. Arthur, the Sunday sexton, pointed out three small white flowers blooming beside the gate, right next to the sidewalk. They’re snowdrops, of course (Galanthus species), the earliest garden flower, blooming right on schedule.

Carol and I walked out to Pope’s Island this afternoon, where we bought the Sunday newspapers and then sat in Dunkin’ Donuts reading and sipping coffee, and looking out the big plate glass window at the lower harbor with Palmer’s Island lighthouse in the distance. With the warm weather this past week, most of the ice has disappeared from the harbor.

But spring’s not here yet. I still see all the familiar winter waterfowl on the harbor. And the forecast is for more snow tonight.