Snow was falling under a uniform gray sky, laying down a thin white blanket in the subfreezing temperatures, when I got up this morning. The geese and cranes flew to and fro as dry flakes gathered loosely on the plants, falling off with the slightest movement caused by wind, bird or beast.  The temperature slowly made its way above freezing, so by 10:00 am no snow remained.  Puck played with a wood chip after rolling in the dirt where the mulch had washed away, while sparrows and finches scratched in the driveway taking refuge on a far post and thick branches when I approached them.