Last week was Groundhog Day. For people who are weary of winter it was a time to hope for a softening in the weather. The edges of cold melted just enough to remind us that being outside can be good. 

When I feel frozen in my orneriness, sometimes a warm wind blows by. Being with small children does it, as do the baby chicks. Listening to my daughter in law's music  takes the chill off my mood, and before I realize it I am singing too. 

But getting to the edge when you are stuck in the center of an ice patch is hard. 

One time I was mad and I made an excuse to my friend. 

"That's ok. You can stay mad as long as you want to."

As long as I want to? What was she talking about? I did not choose this.

Or did I?

The thought fit uncomfortably well. Maybe I did know how to get back to the edge. And that can be a good thing.