In terms of the Zodiac it's still winter, but meteorologically it is spring. And the promise of spring has been in the air this week. No flowers here yet, though, so I am posting a picture of one of the last flowers I photographed last fall.

 
If you look closely, you can see flames inside thtough a window at the upper right corner of the building.

 

Fire police and firefighters directed traffic to deter around the fire and keep the way open for later arriving firetrucks like the one at left to get to the scene. The fire began in late afternoon and snarled traffic downtown for hours. As a former volunteer ambulance driver, my hat is off the citizens who volunteer their time as firefighters and fire police to protect the safety of our community regardless of hardships.

 
THE LONELIEST MAN IN HAMBURG
A lone firefighter perched atop an aerial ladder fights high winds to put water on Monday's fire through the roofs of burning buildings. Standing a half block away, I was chilled to the bone and repeatedly drenched in mist as winds carried the water away from the fire. The borough's hydrants could not supply all the water needed and relays of tank trucks from several fire companies brought water to the scene. I saw responding units from as far away as Fleetwood.

 

Lasr Saturday we were tantalized by a hint of spring. Bright sunshine, light breezw temperature in the 50s and birds singing. Well, it didn't last. We're back in the deeprreeze tonight with temperature in the teens and high winds. More snow due tomorrow. The photo is from a jaunt we took Saturday to look at a possible demolition and salvage job at a former dairy farm in NJ.