Berlin Ice

If spring just isn’t going to happen—then I’d rather it be like this. We went outside to feed the ducks (that’s what you do with a toddler who’s almost 3), but they turned out to have flown away.

Instead—this. We didn’t have our skates with us, but it worked out just fine. Beautifully smooth, dark, and thick. Just the way it should be.

Berlin ice. (And if you look closely, you can see the TV tower in the fog.)

But the police were there, too. When we reached the other side, a blue police car with a public address system pulled up: “To everyone on the ice! We’re having a thaw! If you fall through, you do so at your own risk.”

Okay, back across to the other side really fast, before the thaw really sets in. With this final burst of excitement serving as the highlight of the past winter.

(By the way: if anyone is actually planning to strap on their skates and rush over here—don’t do it. As we speak, a helicopter is circling outside the window, loudly urging the last daredevils off the ice. Bye-bye, winter!)