spring signs:

*the ice finally left our lake. when we got up this morning the whole lake was still covered in it, and now there's (almost) nothing left. we went down to look at it disappearing, and there was a great sound coming from it. i gave the lake a helping hand (or rather two helping feet), and stamped and kicked as much as i could on what was left of the ice. a sad thing is i discovered my left red rubber boot is not waterproof... a fun thing: i was standing on an ice floe. another sad thing: the ice floe sank...
* as soon as the ice had left several swans arrived at our lake. we saw at least 7 of them
* the rose bush seems to be alive
* i think i can see the beginning of a rhubarb leaf coming up from it's flower pot
* our neighbour is happy again, and even talked to us. twice! i almost thought he would never ever talk to us again this time  ¶ 9:52 PM