Weather Report: Weather rules!

The past few days atmospheric events intertwine nearly all endeavor. We didn't lose our electricity as did the 650,000 people in Philadelphia. We are relatively comfortable, if a little inconvenienced. I am mindful of our good fortune...thus far.

Choir practice was canceled Wednesday this week and last, as well, due to the weather. The boys had a "snow day" Monday and Wednesday; Tuesday and Thursday were "late" days which means the bus picked them up two hours late and brought them home at the usual times. The delayed start days count as regular school days. John was home Monday and managed to get out the driveway the rest of the time.

Music lessons and practices have continued to happen.

We all helped shovel snow Monday late afternoon. A good thing since the next problem was freezing rain on top of everything. Wendy and I went in my Outback to the Tractor store for needed animal feed this morning. Tomorrow we will take Toby to the vet for his clearance and Health Department paperwork on the bite. Today, is the 10th quarantine day. Frezz will go with us for his annual. Toby will like that.

The locals say this Pennsylvania winter is more severe than most in recent memory. Daily, I find myself reminded of my mother and Missouri winters when I was a teen; the two-hole outhouse, a commode in a closet for the truly desperate, Friday washtub baths and hair-washing, cistern water pumped at the kitchen sink, hauled water for drinking, milk buckets and jars to sanitize, a cow to milk, five kids to track mud in, and to feed, coats piled on kitchen wall hooks, a bushel basket of socks, frozen laundry brought back indoors hanging in the kitchen to dry, weekly ironing of two bushel baskets of family clothing and linens. There is more, but I'll stop.

Wendy clearing the side door steps leading from the kitchen.

Out the front door.

For all the treacherous aspects of the winter, its difficulties, expenses and even the hardships it brings, it continues to amaze the eye.