We had a cold, windy night again last night. There wasn't enough snow to measure on my snow board this morning - it was blown clean. I had a fair amount in the four-inch gauge, but had to guess at how much new snow we actually got. According to my stake, we've gained about 4 inches as it measures 19.5 inches, but even that is probably not much of an indicator. I guess what matters is how much depth there is on the ground generally, so for that I'd need to measure several places and take an average - lots of luck doing that, Fred said there were big drifts across the driveways in places this morning and in other places no snow at all. We've concluded that all snow measurements taken anywhere are probably guesswork much of the time.

All the driveways are cleared and the deck is shoveled off. We're good for whatever the day brings. One thing for sure is snow, as it's still snowing steadily. At least the wind has gone down.

We have been thinking back to last year January 3rd. That was the day Bill and Monika got married and it was bitterly cold and snowing lightly that morning. Later in the day the sun came out, but I doubt that will happen today. I sent them a Happy Anniversary wish by e-mail. We may not hear from them until after their interview at the embassy in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Then I hope it's to make plans to come home.

I took pictures this morning. Fred said the snow was easy to handle today - light and dry. He may need to go out again by late afternoon if it keeps snowing. Bill Rossi is still hung up with an ailing snow blower. It's hard to find a place to plow snow at his place, but Cousin Larry is doing the best he can. Bill has Harry Gamblin in Walden coming to pick up his rig on Monday. Hopefully Harry will have it back to him in a day or so.

The Rossi's had a call from Andre LaPrade this weekend and Andre said he's doing fine. He's had some health problems, so it's good to know things are better for him now. Several people had asked about Andre and Sherry, so we're glad to share this report.

I think Woody has the right idea. He spends most of his days curled up on the high cupboards in the kitchen. He is out of the way there but can keep an eye on everything without moving much at all. He will perhaps come down for a snack when we begin bustling about for our lunch, or he may not. He begins to wake up about the time we are preparing dinner or as we're settling down for the evening to watch TV. He's curious about whatever we're doing, and if we're being quiet he begins racing about chasing nothing, asking to go out and within minutes knocking to come back in. Winter is hard on him - and it's a mixed blessing for us. No more little critters brought in, but we have to do considerably more entertaining of our cat when he is awake.