If the weather is what it is outside, one can always cut some branches and take them inside for something cheerful to look at (having been patiently waiting for about two weeks):
As this is an open post I just recommend the story without much ado, but my flist knows why I love it anyway, especially when they read my comment to the author ;-) "Save the last dance for me" , a Poppy/Minerva : http://asylums.insanejournal.com/hp_beholder/98725.html