Imbolc Valentine Moon
The dogs were quiet this morning. I slept in until 8:30. When I came out to the kitchen, 
they looked up at me, happy to see me and I let them outside. Gertie, our self-anointed early morning canine agitator, was quiet this morning. Why? No idea. She has slept in her crate the last two nights rather than in our bedroom. Maybe that explains some of it. Whatever it was, I’d like to see it again tomorrow.
(Gertie’s got her head out the furthest.)
After the worst snow event since the 1991 Halloween blizzard, we’re settling into another week of polar vortex style cold. Looks like we’re going to slide out of February on a Red Bull crashed-ice course.
Over the last day or so the snow lining the branches of the shrubs and trees has begun to melt in the now much warmer sun, more light on less square feet of earth. As it melts, though, it freezes back because the air temperature around it is still way below freezing. This has created some beautiful instances of clear ice topped snow, as if many of the snow-covered branches have sprouted diamond tiaras. Now presenting, Miss Euonymus. And for Miss Congeniality, the entrant from the oak hill, Miss Dogwood.
Kate’s going to stay at the quilt retreat an extra night so she can watch the Winter Olympics’ closing ceremonies. I’ll go get her tomorrow morning, after the roads have cleared. I’ve sat out the entire storm, taking Kate up to Rogers late morning on Thursday, then sitting right here, where I plan to stay until I leave to get her tomorrow.
