I just want to go on record and say, it's not the snow. We live in upstate New York, and we get a LOT of it. We anticipate it, worry about it, and deal with it constantly. It is, at the very least, the opener of most conversations from December - March. We complain and complain and complain, and I will not make any excuses for myself, I am right there with the complainers complaining away. But, this weekend, I had a little bit of an epiphany about our friend snow. Driving two of our normal routes this weekend, Saturday from Home to Auburn, and Sunday from Home to Oswego, I noticed how much the snow lets us see our world differently. From the cozy warmth of my car, my favorite hiding place, I drove by a house I see all the time, but to see its rich, deep blue bordering on violet color against the snow made me see it for the very first time. Maybe not the color for a house, but it gave me a great idea for painting our bedroom. Then I took note of the snow while driving home from Auburn, at twilight, with a touch of a sunset on the horizon. It was exceedingly heavy on the trees and blanketing the ground, lending a peaceful silence to our drive, and dampening all sound from the rushed and hurried world. Today, on my way home from Oswego, at dusk, with a rather brilliant sunset dancing in the clouds, was when I realized it is not the snow that we hate, but the dark. With snow comes cloud cover and sometimes we do not see sun for days at a time. Sure, life brightens, but it never gains that full on glow that a ray of sun brings. Yesterday and today, a bit of sun ON snow was a beautiful thing. So thank you Mr. Winter, snow away. In fact, if you could muster up enough properly timed snow to help us towards a snow day, I would be much appreciative. But do remember to send us a little 'ol Mr. Sun every now and again.

-Cheryl