If February comes, can Opening Day be far behind?

Down on the lake no fewer than 25 sailing craft of all sizes are circling and coming together, generally resembling a herd gathering to go somewhere. One boat has a beautiful blue sail, with zigzags of mauve and pink - and it's flying a black skull-and-crossbones.

On weekday mornings assorted college and high school crews row by before daybreak, pulling to the shouted commands of the coaches who motor alongside.

Weather today is colder than it looks, but the sun is out. I got up in the dark to make it to early choir practice, but soon a pink mist prefigured the sunrise, and the sun was visible until I got to the I-90 bridge, where it disappeared over a fogged-in lake.

Best not to think of Laguna Beach (or of Mexico, from whence a friend promises to return well-tanned, after a sojourn in Playa del Carmen.)

In addition to a wonderful beach and sunshine, Laguna has a fine art museum, dating from its days as a mecca for Southern California artists. We were there in time to see this exhibit, a retrospective of one of the better-known locals.

Later we attended an opening of exuberantly colorful works by a living artist, who divides his time between Europe, Maine and Laguna. My favorite was this picture, used on the advertising for the show.


(Opening Day is the official first day of boating, usually the first Saturday in May, usually - but not always - freezing cold!)