I'm sure that's not at all impressive for you snow-less people but: Ohhhh! :-)

Today - on the second consecutive day with temperatures of about 9 degrees (above zero!!!) and sunshine - was the first time since months that I could see again what the grass on campus looks like. Well, what dead brown grass looks like. But still. Grass and gravel and puddles of melting water and mud.

I know, very likely this is just a break and not the end of this year's ice age. Nevertheless, it's a very welcome break!