Not Quite the White Death (ReDux)

Once again the weather people have gotten us all jacked up for death by white and nothing could be further from the truth. We awakened this morning to a wet dust of snow and temperatures in the low 30s. I think my car thermometer on the way to Mass said it was 31. True, temperatures are expected to plummet as the day progresses and I guess the winds are supposed to pick-up but that's nothing given the hysteria the media promotes. In fact as I write this it's just your run of the mill winter day. Much ado about nothing... Now north of here in Minnesota and Wisconsin, they have something to be concerned about!

Hard to believe we're less than two weeks away from Christmas. Next Saturday Matt, Ciara and Aiden will arrive. Fred, Gail and Zoe will follow on Friday. Christmas Eve will be at Thom and Karen's house and then we'll have Christmas Day. In the meantime I hope to get Aiden up to the Behringer Crawford Museum to take in the trains; that will probably have to be Wednesday; he visits Grandma Jan on Thursday and I work M,T and F.

Not Quite the White Death

It's snowing this morning. There's an inch on the ground. The first real snow of the season. Maybe we'll get it out of the system early. Then we can endure the cold without the hassle that snow brings.

There are benefits to snow. I like the quiet especially on a weekend morning; the snow muffles all the ambient noise. The glaring white paints the landscape with a uniform sterility as far as the eye can see. The air is crisp and clean and still...It's the stillness like the quiet that conjures up snow's magical qualities.

Today's snow is a fitting end to a 2 week vacation. Stayed in town. Christmas shopped. Puttered around the house. Caught up on recreational reading. Otherwise didn't do much. The batteries are recharged but now have a cold to soldier through. Few plans today, maybe some grocery shopping, perhaps a little catching up before the grind of work to come tomorrow.

Christmas is a short 3 weeks from today. As always, anticipation is more enjoyable than the actual event. I'm looking forward most to friends and family; our time together will be busy and too short. We can only hope to live in the moment and enjoy the experience as it unfolds.

Of course December is also a time to take stock, reflect on the year that's winding up and look toward the year that is yet to unfold. There are many things that can be improved, little that can or should be changed but much that can be remembered.

Cold and Damp

Cold and damp this morning, the first day of December, a Wednesday at that. Hint of snow in the air and weather forecast. Yesterday's relentless and at times, heavy, rain has given the landscape a worn and droopy composure. I walked yesterday for about an hour and as per usual the rain held off until I was 30 minutes away from the house. The walk was finished in a downpour and strong headwind. I was cold and soggy by the time I got back to the house.