After many successive days of record setting days below zero while counting myself and my locale very fortunate that we were not part of the ERCOT power grid failure that caused so much grief and damage in my state, I was almost giddy with relief, as was the rest of the state, that temps here had risen; the sun was starting to thaw our uncleared streets and frozen pipes.

The warming and thaw finally made it safe enough to take a walk in our wildflower park. It was pure joy to see others walking in the park as well yesterday afternoon. Some by twos and others in family groups, there were more in the park than I've seen in weeks. Another great and welcomed surprise was seeing for the first time, blooming crocus in the raised planters.

I've never seen our large Home Depot parking lot so filled with vehicles and the same held true for my favorite grocery. People must have had very long waits to check out and I couldn't help but wonder if they were distancing from one another. People were out everywhere along the route home in the small business parks and lines at car washes stretched into the street.

Back home, a young man and his dog were talking to a neighbor in her driveway. The dog was leery of my mask but it was just terrific to welcome the young man to our street and to see his gorgeous yr old copper colored puppy talking with my older neighbor. Truly, what a difference a day makes! Best to all.