Sunlight does some amazing things this time of year

Or any time of year, for that matter. In optics, the pattern of rays and bright lines in the shadow of the glass is called a caustic. The word comes from the Greek word for "burnt," and derives from the observation, as far back as the Greeks, that sunlight focused to a point by glass or other curved, transparent surface can burn.

This is what it was like a year ago when the GOP rammed through their union-busting budget in the dark of night

Note: This is reprinted from my blog post a year ago about the events that took place in the Capitol on the evening of March 9, 2011.

I have never been more ashamed of my state government -- or more proud of the people of this great state. T and I were in the Rotunda with a couple dozen people at most. It was nearly 5:30, our meter was about to expire, and we were about to go.

Then someone said the Republicans were in the Senate chamber pulling a fast one, to hurry up the stairs and to let everyone know people were needed. You could feel the electronic waves ripple out all across the city -- Twitter, Facebook, email, text messages, IM, phone trees, you name it. The word got out and thousands came streaming toward the Capitol, students running up State Street. Crowds piled up outside.

Only a trickle of people were being admitted through the single door and security setup, so there were only a few hundred of us there to demonstrate as the Republican cowards (literally hiding inside what was supposed to be a closed building) did their dirty work.

The people kept coming. We found huge crowds outside as we left, still being held back by the security and single door. More people kept coming. We went home for a quick dinner. That's when we found out that the people had retaken our house. We headed back -- and for the last few blocks leading up to the Square, all the cars were beeping the "This Is What Democracy Looks Like" chant. A raucus automotive symphony.

When we got back to the Capitol, all the doors were open, the security had disappeared. Heck, they were already passing out water and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the Rotunda. And last I heard, the building was going to remain open all night.

There's just no way you can keep this many people who've had it and aren't going to take it anymore out of our Capitol, our house.

What a difference four days makes

Lake Wingra four days ago. Now warm breezes and then rain followed by a lot of sun have had their way with it. The snow is all gone and the ice has started breaking up. Right now, it's looking like an early spring.

What little snow we've had this winter has been more picturesque than devastating

Looking back at last Friday's modest little snow, now that the rain is washing it all away. This was in Wingra Park. It's all gone now.

As the ice recedes it reveals hidden depths

Ho-Nee-Um Pond, University of Wisconsin Arboretum, Madison: Ho-Nee-Um Pond is in that narrow strip of Arboretum that runs between the very busy thoroughfare, Monroe Street, and Lake Wingra. This was was photographed just a few feet away from Arbor Drive, off of Monroe Street.

Man riding the escalator in a winter wonderland

For all it red balls and circles and bullseyes, the Hilldale Target store is a rather undistinguished big box on University Ave. next to the Hilldale Shopping Center. But the glass wall on its east facade does offer some striking perspectives -- especially when it's snowing.