.......that despite what the groundhog says Spring is always at least 6 weeks away.

In the Midwest, anyway.

The full moon that occurs in February is known in folklore and among Native American tribes as the Hunger moon. Because this is typically the month in which the heaviest of winter snows fall and hunting for food is virtually impossible.

Now, I am no hunter. And tucked snugly inside my second story condo I am relatively impervious to the record snow falls and blizzard-like conditions that have been such a fixture these past few weeks.

But I find I am hungry.

For mild blue skies. For green grass and bird song and fresh air that doesn't sting my cheeks and my lungs. I'm hungry for tender asparagus and wild strawberries; for sunsets that extend past 7 p.m. I'm hungry for Easter and Easter lilies and family get togethers that can comfortably take place outdoors.

In short I am hungry for Spring.