It came Sunday around noon with a gentle snow drifting down like cherry blossoms. Two inches were predicted which meant no worries about the driveway, clearing the car, even shoveling wouldn’t be too bad. Snow was still falling at bedtime, branches were bowing, cares were mounting.

I am as grateful as the parched earth for the moisture. As I woke thinking of the efforts that a big snow demands, my momentary resistance was eclipsed by the realization that I traded traffic and all it implies for this, and I was instantly happy to shovel snow.

Monday morning Wren burst out the door in her pink ‘outside’ sweater scattering deer and songbirds, but she stayed only as long as she needed to. I committed the day to incremental shoveling of essential pathways with rests between ventures out. It stayed cold all day despite abundant sunshine. Topaz refuses to go outside. I’m so glad for our long ramble on Saturday, enough to hold us for a couple of months.

Wren wore her parka for our longer forays out to shovel, and changed into her blue ‘inside’ sweater until the house warmed up enough. Like puppy like human, changing up layers all day long to stay just right.

Today the forecast was again for two inches of snow. I didn’t trust that, and when it started soft again this morning as it had on Sunday, I called the clinic and postponed my appointment. It was cloudy and cold all day and snowed off and on, for a grand total of new snow measuring half an inch. Ridiculous! But I heard that the clinic parking lot was so icy that people were falling down, and I was glad I stayed home. After a productive day I baked cinnamon rolls for the neighbor who was kind enough to clear our driveways. I think I’m closing in on the perfect recipe. We’ll know more tomorrow!