"Like other winter-weary Midwesterners, I am desperately searching for signs that spring isn't far off.

Shortly after the kids have enjoyed at least one good romp in the snow, I reach my fill of gray days, soggy gloves and slushy shoes.

Thankfully, the days are growing a little longer of late.

The groundhog didn't see his shadow. And, just recently, I saw a family of robins that didn't bother to fly south.

Such harbingers of warm weather surely know something we don't."