I’m taking a quick detour from Mom’s photo album to honor my sister’s birthday. Clara would have turned 83 years old today. Here is the family groundhog when she turned five, sitting in front of her parents’ home at 406 North Geary Street in Albany:

It looks like she would have seen her shadow that day, for sure. I wonder whether they had six more weeks of winter?

Clara left us December 8, 2015. It was much too soon for my tastes—and I know I am far from alone in that sentiment.

Without our groundhog to tell us spring is coming—whether now or in six weeks—there is sense in which it just remains winter. Miss you, Sis.