Beyond The Shadow

 Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow.  So did Staten Island Chuck. That supposedly means we’re getting six more weeks of winter.

I wouldn’t mind the more cold weather, even if we’ve had more of it, for longer, than any time I can remember in the past few decades.  I just wish we didn’t have to deal with icy patches, sand and salt.

Now I remember why I have a “beater” bike!

The Shadow I Saw

Last week, I wrote about the coldest cycle-commute I've pedaled in many years.  The temperature rose gradually during the week, reaching the freezing mark on Friday and the 10-15C (50-60F) yesterday and today.

We didn't get much snow during the cold spell--the squall we experienced brought more wind than anything else--but the fallen flakes stayed on the ground and froze until the thaw.

The result has been mud everywhere.

Neither Punxsutawney Phil nor Staten Island Chuck  saw his shadow.  According to legend, that means Spring will soon arrive.  But I still anticipate more cold weather before the thaw becomes permanent (at least until next winter):  After all I saw this shadow

of a bare tree.