When I lived in the North the blooming of the lilacs was a sign of warmer days ahead. Now, here in San Antonio, the Texas Mountain Laurel is that sign of warmth on the way. Since moving to Texas last December, the weather all winter long seemed to us like fall or spring. Then in March it really became spring. The laurels bloomed. Leaves came out on the bare trees. Trees that had leaves all winter got new ones. April feels now like like June or July. It feels wonderful to have skipped an entire winter with snow and ice. Someday I may long to see a soft snowfall and feel the crisp, cold air. For now, the sun feels like a healing touch.