It's freezing here in NYC. I mean, 32 degrees. It's colder than it was at Xmas. And a biting wind is gusting from the north. This climate change stuff, it stinks.

But being the nut I am, I went for my morning walk anyway. Very early. At least the sun is out, which hasn't been the case for awhile. Down by the river I drank my tea and almost froze my behind off. On the way back I decided not to go straight home, but to take a stroll around the neighborhood. I love to do that on holiday mornings, because everything's so quiet. And I couldn't get much colder, so why not? And it was peaceful, and sunny and bright, though flippin' cold. So it was, I admit, beautiful. At the ail end of this stroll I went through the little park, to see what flowers were coming up. The answer is, pansies, snowdrops, and hyacinths, with daffodils and tulips about to pop, though none of them look happy about it.

And then I noticed, on a bench, under a leaf: Easter eggs! Now remember, it's early on a freezing morning. Not only am I alone in the park, I'm alone on the street. And yet, gorgeous Easter eggs -- marbled, striped, spotted; one encrusted with tiny mirrors, one with dots of thick white paint like pearls. Over a dozen, each one an art work on its own, just lying around the park waiting to be discovered. Someone spent a lot of time making them, and then got up at dawn to leave them in the park, for other people to enjoy. And then didn't wait around to see it happen. I walked back and forth through the park a couple of times, just admiring them. On my way home I discovered two more, one in each planter in front of the nursing home.

So whoever did that: thanks!!! Though I'm sure you're not reading this; but maybe my gratitude emanations will go out to the universe, and hit you somewhere. Boy, did you make my day!