If I were a bear, I wouldn’t mind all this snow. I’d curl up in a cozy place and take a very long nap. I’m not a bear but, even so, I’ve been hibernating. I’ve barely been out of the house for two weeks. 

Then the temperature rose more than 70 degrees and dark fog descended with mist and rain. Next, the temp dropped again, with more extreme cold weather, so that, because it had rained, all the roads and sidewalks became glazed with ice. Then we’ve had a series of blizzards…

Our relatives in distant states have been calling—they’re worried about us. They all ask, “Why are you living up there???” We’re asking ourselves the same question these days.

I wonder about the birds, deer, foxes, and coyotes that wander around—how do they survive in this arctic-style winter?

The other day I noticed a gaggle of wild turkeys clustered around the door of one of our neighbors’ house. It was as if they were demanding to be let inside!

And then there are the people who work outdoors all year long—the folks who deliver our mail and newspapers, maintain our utilities, pick up our garbage, plow and shovel… They all deserve a special thank you this winter.

Our backyard is beautiful—pristine white, with thick reams of snow on all the branches. Sitting indoors, I enjoy the view from my window. I’m grateful, more than I can say, for the furnace that keeps us warm.

But for next winter—I dream of being a snowbird—to fly away to someplace warm for much more of the winter.