Snow, Snow, Snow...

Just heard this on the local news: 49 of the 50 states have measurable snow on the ground right now. (Florida is the only state without.) I assume that includes mountain peaks. Interesting statistic. I thought we only got 4 inches here, but when I went to dig out my car this afternoon, I cleared off a good 6 inches...and we aren't totally done. There were a couple of inches on top of what my neighbor blew off the drive yesterday...and I didn't see it happen! My little house-on-a-slab can be cozy and snug in weather like this, but I sure begin to feel closed in. Since I'm retired, I guess I could live in warmer states, but I need to maintain at least this much proximity to my grandchildren. I've lived in this home longer than I have ever been anywhere in my entire life. It isn't much, but it's mine--and still "home" for my grandchildren. (God knows, MY grandparents' farm was the meeting place and oasis for all of the military children of the family--my siblings and cousins--and my nieces and nephews beyond that. My parents retired to there. Until the death of my grandparents and then my parents, and the place lost its magic for me, I never tired of going to the farm. We sold that beloved place to our farmer who takes care of it.) *I hate this time of year. The days are short and the nights so long. Travel is always dependent on the weather. I need more sunshine! I always do better when the sun is blazing, no matter the temps. I do have a luncheon date with one of my former students tomorrow. Her husband (also another former student) is deployed in the Middle East. I had Kristie in 4th grade and 6th grade and again in high school. (Poor kid!) I saw her last weekend at a benefit dinner for another former student. Kristie is one of the few who is still totally recognizable from her younger years... *I am due in Illinois on the weekend for my bro-in-law's 70th birthday. We'll see if the weather cooperates!