Tuesday

We are not stuck in an Arctic rut, but I have to say, this morning's wake up temperature (1F, or -17C) did make me momentarily wonder if, perhaps due to some plate tectonic oddities, we're inching closer to the North Pole.

Well, it was a lovely sunrise.





The cheepers came out for a second, possibly because they knew that I had oatmeal raisin cookie bits in my pocket.

And then I buried myself under the quilt for a good hour to recover, only to torture myself some more by going out on the roof (windy!) to sweep the latest snow off the plates of glass.

I needed a very long, hot shower after that.

And a breakfast among flowers.





My morning was in the farmhouse and that was just lovely! On a sunny day, every corner of the place is bright and optimistic, as if telling us -- what's outside is beautiful, if you only give it a chance!


My afternoon is with Snowdrop. The girl is intense...






... curious,






... love filled,






... exuberant,






... spirited.






And indulgent.






(You'd agree if you knew how many times she let me sing "rock-a-bye Snowdrop, in grandma's lap..." this afternoon.)


I'm home now. The TV is on -- the President is making his yearly speech. I've cracked the last cheeper egg for supper, grated the last scrap of Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese. Outside, the crescent moon shines brightly over us tonight, here in the crisp and cold Upper Midwest. And that's such a beautiful thing.