The winter cross quarter day falls in early February - halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is the depths of winter...and the first time you get hints of spring. It is the time of Groundhog Day and Tu Bi'Shevat; Candlemas and Imbolc.

It is close to the coldest part of the winter in Chicago, and this winter has been a fine example of that. The days are getting longer, but the snow keeps piling up...

While the humans of the house have been toiling away at work, the cats spend their days watching the birds at the feeder...and sleeping even more than usual.