Overnight rain had washed away the last of the snow. When I glance at the thermometer at wake up time, it registers 50F (10C).
(Peach, out for a stroll)
![farmette life (1 of 15).jpg](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4608/24768331507_d09f125de8_z.jpg)
Breakfast, with daffodils, reminding of what's before us...
![farmette life (3 of 15).jpg](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4656/39606856682_161a1ffb03.jpg)
Then all morning long I get the dire messages, warning of a sudden plummet to below freezing. Rain changing to ice, then more ice. Hazardous driving. All morning long I listen to this.
Predictably, schools start to close early. We're used to snow, but ice storms are a menace even for the most seasoned driver. Snowdrop's school is tied to Madison public schools. They hold off closing, but I tell my daughter that it's silly to let her stay for a school nap, only to be interrupted with a sudden closing. And so after her lunch hour, I drive over to pick her up.
(I pass by Lake Monona -- rain has completely washed away the snow cover. It's a perfect surface for skating and I do spot one solo skater, but I have to say, for me, the idea of gliding in the rain over a lake that should be frozen is totally unnerving.)
![farmette life (5 of 15).jpg](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4740/39606858652_78555eefce_c.jpg)
At school, I find Snowdrop with only one other little girl and three teachers.
Most of the class is sick. One other child went home early.
We spent the morning disinfecting everything! -- one of her teachers tells me. We've never had this many kids out at the same time.
I'm thinking -- hang in there, Snowdrop!
We head out into the rain.
Is it raining hard, grandma?
It is, little one.
![farmette life (8 of 15).jpg](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4651/38928306694_85292acf0e.jpg)
Really hard?
Pretty hard. Let's get in the car!
![farmette life (9 of 15).jpg](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4740/27858555679_9047281c51_n.jpg)
Fat dollops of rain... but in January?
No sign of ice yet. Relieved, I drive to the farmhouse.
It's not easy these days to settle Snowdrop for a nap.
I have to go shopping first for my babies...
![farmette life (11 of 15).jpg](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4674/39636538741_0d6f582612.jpg)
I have to dress them warmly to go out.
Monkey, you have to rest!
![farmette life (15 of 15).jpg](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4666/39606871702_e8008fc011_n.jpg)
Eventually the house grows quiet but for the sound of the falling rain. Spring weather, changing to frigid winter weather tomorrow, then back again to a thaw, then a deep freeze... back and forth, back and forth.
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