The Sky Is Falling

There has been a warm up in Kharkov. We've busted out of the 20s into the 30s and 40s, which means a couple of things:
1. The snow is melting and my feet are wet. My valenki (felt boots) were not made. for "byezdorozhnost'" (lit. roadlessness). note: must find waterproof boots.
2. The perpetual snow has turned to perpetual rain.
3. Huge sections of the sidewalks are cordoned off because of snow and ice avalanching off of roofs around town. So far, one person has been killed and one car has been destroyed (i'll try to find a photo of the car).
In truth, I am glad to see the snow go. Every time we ventured out, it felt like a slog. We couldnt find enough will power to go to any of the city sites. We didnt see the town as much as the ice covered sidewalks. Thus, I look forward to seeing the city , which we just read is the prettiest of all of the industrial cities in Ukraine :o)