Expecting good things (looking forward to spring) in the middle of winter

This is the itsy bitsy spider, building it's house on one of the first leaves of spring (because it's spring here already, pretty much). I know that looks like a fall colors leaf, but it's spring, for a pomegranate. Winter never lasts forever.

This is Indiana, who nearly died 6 months ago. I called her name, and she looked up so expectantly. Reminded me of the Jars of Clay song, "Call My Name."
This is another spring thing. It's a shoot on the new pear tree in the backyard (don't expect fruit--it's not filled with that spirit--it's an ornamental pear). But the shoot looked like a grouchy camel. Maybe it's not quite ready to be forced into spring just yet. Maybe it prefers hibernation. Some days, I can relate, but spring comes anyway, and that's probably, maybe, possibly, a good thing.