Wintery Weekend

Well, dear reader, as I sit writing to you, my barn roof is covered in snow, the front lawn is blanketed, and more snow is coming down. From inside, it looks charming. However, open the front door and all the charm ends. Sigh. As is the norm this time of year, we had a busy weekend. We had to leave the farm on Friday and Saturday. Saturday, we got caught in the first round of severe weather. The ride home from Indiana, which usually takes ten minutes or less, took us about 30 minutes. It was a white knuckle ride, and even my bib overall-wearing super hero was a bit nervous. 

I don't drive in the snow. If there's even a hint of a flurry in the air, I cancel my plans and stay home. Mock me if you will, I know, it's just a part of life in Southwestern Pennsylvania, but I am terribly afraid of driving on bad roads. When my hairdresser schedules my appointments, she knows that if it's snowing, I won't attend. My friends who know me well also expect a phone call of cancellation if it is calling for snow. They make fun of me, but they accept it. 

There was no possibility of canceling plans this weekend. Thankfully, we made it home safely and are well. Being cuddled in for the storm is nice, but staying in is not an option. We have animals to care for, making sure they are warm, cozy, and fed. Going out to tend the animals this time of year is painful. Every year, I say we are selling everything and moving to Aruba or Florida, but by the time spring arrives, I am enamored with where we live again and forget the pain of winter.

On a high note, the weather forecast calls for 50 degrees on Thursday. Now that, dear reader, is far more acceptable than the eight degrees we woke up to this morning. I'll take anything that doesn't freeze the watering troughs. We will make it through this cold, grey season. Break out the proper gear, bundle up, put on a pot of soup, and snuggle in once your outside chores are complete. Be mindful of your animal friends, both domestic and wild. Everyone enjoys a good meal and a place to snuggle in to stay warm. 

On this blistering cold Monday, stay safe, be smart, stay warm, and keep washing those hands.