just to be clear...

I don't hate everything about winter. I don't hate when I am home and have no place I need to go, and there is coffee, and I have a good book. But even that is better in the summer:)

I don't hate the way the sun shines on the snow and it looks like a million diamonds, and when the trees are covered, illuminating each branch. I don't hate the kids going ice skating and sledding, and I don't hate how when it's so cold out, the dogs' paws don't need wiping off twenty times a a day as they come in the house.

But I hate the driving. I hate when you simply don't know where the road ends and the ditch starts. I hate when the snow blows sideways, when your headlights are a joke and all you can see is...snow. I hate driving in the winter. The sliding and the skidding and the slush and the unexpected slippery patches. I hate those phone calls (Margaret went off the road last winter with a few of the girls in the truck, they ended up at the lunch lady's house....)Abigail took the truck off the road on that same hill a few years back. Two of my daughters work in a hospital north of here, in one of the snowiest cities in the country, right on the lake. I can't even think about their commute, I have to pray. Emily and Abigail drive to the other city every day, and that's often no picnic either.

We have had our school bus go off the road a few times, and once our truck spun out in our own driveway and got stuck in the yard. Ha, I did that once with the old Big Van, too, it was not funny at the time, but my father-in-law saw a picture of it somehow, and it tickled him silly. I was trying to get out of the driveway and ended up sideways in the yard, stuck fast in the snow.

But filling the oil tank, keeping the space heaters running, and still walking around with socks and slippers and a big heavy sweater on...blah. I am a barefoot girl.

Anyway. This morning has been fun! The kitty kitten knocked down a picture frame and shattered the glass. I no sooner cleaned that up, than Duke started gagging...you know, that heaving that a dog does before...he barfs right near the open door you are trying to shoo him out of. blah.

I decided to sweep and mop, then throw in a load of towels. While I was in the laundry room, the phone rang, it was the office of Paul's eye dr., apparently the Dr. broke his arm so Paul has to reschedule. Then Paul texted me and asked me to call about the Bravada which is in the shop getting inspected...there are a few things that need fixing on it apparently, and it's not done yet...he had to drive the minivan to work because the truck needs new brakes. I am not looking forward to driving that truck to town needing new brakes, in the snow.

Anyway. There are children to teach, and children to rouse from their warm beds, and breakfast to make. I have not made a pot of coffee yet this fine cold morning. It is a balmy 15 degrees (-9.4 C). The snow is coming down in those big fluffy lake effect flakes, and it IS pretty. Kitty kitten is staring out the window in fascination, her little head swiveling around in wonder.

We are reading the book, "Farmer Boy." Did you know that Almanzo Wilder grew up in New York state? If you have never read this book, even if you don't want to read the whole Little House On The Prairie series, you should read it. Almanzo told Laura the stories of his growing up and about farm life, when they were old, and lived in Missouri. She wrote the book without ever visiting his childhood home. Then their daughter Rose grew up and visited the house in Malone, New York, and couldn't believe how accurately her mama had described it. It is such a clear depiction of what life was like in the 1800's. Oh, how hard they worked.

And, I am thinking of a summer field trip for these kids....his house is still there. We went years ago, when Emily was fascinated with the Little House books.

Wow, it's snowing out. And it DOES look pretty.