3-2-06 SHORT HILLS: Another winter storm last yesterday with a grand total of 1” of snow plus some ice and frozen rain, perhaps those last two are the same thing. Today is windy, cold and sunny, but, in the sun, if you look up at the ends of the branches of the maples and elms the icicled buds are orange and red. I first noticed it about noon driving up the east side of the second Orange Mt. and then driving south on the GSP to visit a hospitalized friend. The willows, not to be left behind, have all taken on that yellow color they get before leafing. Nineteen days until the Vernal Equinox, time to think about skiing. Today’s pix shows the fat, red maple flower buds.