As Early Winter deepens, my fantasy looks past the cold into the ladder of time toward Early Spring. My fantasies climb the ladder, counting One week remains before the Sun starts to climb just a little toward equinox. Two weeks before the arrival of Deep Winter and the coldest days of the year. Three weeks before aphelion, the Earth’s position farthest from the Sun. Four weeks until owls and foxes mate. Five weeks until the tufted titmouse begins its mating calls and pines start to pollinate