Graupel and robins

Graupel: A form of frozen precipitation consisting of snowflakes of ice crystals and supercooled water droplets frozen together. Not to be confused with sleet or hail.

We watched the graupel hit the deck last night as we sat inside eating our pork chops. This morning on the news, dire warnings of enough snow to cause havoc on the afternoon commute. And then record cold temperatures in Seattle tomorrow. Usually by late February, the ornamental trees are blooming up and down our street. But not this year.

I heard the first robin this week though-- a cheerful sound after months of waking up in dark silence. Now he's probably sorry he came out so early. When Nova is visiting, she likes to watch the birdies eating at the feeder. Here's a little poem for her this morning about a poor winter robin:

The fireside for the Cricket,
The wheat stack for the Mouse,
When trembling night-winds whistle
And moan all round the house;
The frosty ways like iron,
The branches plumed with snow, --
Alas! in Winter, dead and dark,
Where can poor Robin go?
Robin, Robin Redbreast,
O Robin dear!
And a crumb of bread for Robin,
His little heart to cheer.

From "Robin Redbreast"
William Allingham