Quiet storm

The brouhaha before the storm was far louder than the storm itself, which arrived as fine snow falling silently as we slept. Looks like we got about four or five inches but more is expected throughout the day and the county is under a Level 2 Snow Emergency, which means we should stay off the roads unless it's absolutely necessary, which it isn't so we're staying home.

Lots of folks stayed home from church yesterday to avoid the cold, and the furnace struggled to keep the sanctuary warm. The rest room was toasty, though, so I jokingly suggested moving the service in there, but who wants to sing hymns next to a toilet, a trash can, or a can of Lysol spray?

A few starlings have been visiting our birdfeeders but I hope they don't alert the entire flock. The trailcam showed possums and deer and what might have been a fox but mostly squirrels cavorting in the snow. This is the time of year to watch for eagles along the river, but we didn't see any on our way home from church yesterday and we're not going out today so the eagles will have to wait before earning my applause and appreciation.

I received some unexpected appreciation recently but I don't know what to do with it. A high school teacher confessed that she idolizes me because I had the chance to go to grad school and teach college students, who she imagines must be much more dedicated and passionate learners than her students. I appreciate the support but I suspect that her view of higher education is not entirely accurate. At a time when our entire culture seems to think that what I do can be easily replaced by Artificial Intelligence, it feels odd to be told how lucky I am to teach college students.

Now the sun is rising over the snow-covered hill as juncos and cardinals arrive at the feeders.  Yesterday a Carolina wren kept hopping up to the big picture window as if begging to come inside. I sympathize--baby, it's cold outside! It's all very pretty, but if this is how Ohio welcomes home its weary travelers, I think I'd like to go back to Georgia.

Yes, we still have Christmas lights outside.