Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Snowfall has been sparse this year but today started to make up for it. There was barely a dusting when I was out at 5:30am but it came down all day long. I just finished shoveling the first 6-8 inches on the deck, stairs and yard paths (Squirt’s belly is 8” high – you do the math). It only took the half time show and the last two quarters of the Monday Night Football game to finish. However - so Robert doesn’t miss out on the fun - I left the drive and sidewalk for him to snowthrow when gets home from his corporate dinner function tonight. (I fully believe in team efforts.)

At lunch today, Squirt went running outside full steam ahead and I don’t know if he thought it was all one level or what but he jumped off of the deck and landed in a snow bank. It didn’t stop him though – just slowed him down a bit. He sometimes gets confused especially if part of the snow is frozen enough to hold his weight and part isn’t. He has been stuck more than once trying to jump onto the deck when is rump is buried a snow pile. But we are always there to rescue him!

I hope all of you are well prepared for the momentous occasion which is very close at hand. No, no, no – not Christmas - the shortest day of the year occurs Thursday. It’s time for a celebration! We will have 5 hours and 30 minutes between sun up and sundown and then the days start to get longer. By February 21st we will have 9 hours and 41 minutes of daylight per day and it only gets brighter. (Quite frankly, I’m not sure I am done with my “winter’s nap” yet.) Our longest day will be June 21st which we will have 19 hours and 22 minutes of sunlight and a pink glow the rest of the time. Some of the suggested celebrations are cross country and downhill skiing (on lighted trails of course), showshoe with the wolves, hike, sled, mountain bike, etc. etc. Unless the wolves are cooperative, someone may have a hard time walking with them. Actually, the dark hasn’t been too bad. We are used to going to work in the dark – have done it for years. Now we just go home in the dark. I was really expecting it to be worse but with Solstice on Thursday, I realized – no big deal for us.

With the upcoming holidays, traffic was much lighter today than in the past as many people have left town for warmer climates however, I am sure the malls are just as crowded. I talked to several people and holiday destinations range from Philly to Southern California to Seattle to Hawaii. Some are even going to Europe and Africa. Now that’s a good way to spend Christmas week – on safari (maybe next year)! Holiday cheer and cheesecake abound at the office. I can’t seem to go to any coffee pot witout coming back with a piece of this or a taste of that. (Come on – you have to try it!).

Wow – it’s still snowing….wonder if we will have to shovel before going to work tomorrow???