One last hoorah

Arianna insisted on going outside today. Although her fingers were red and cold when she came inside, she was pleased with her snow man.

At month's end, with snow melting and the top-most layer of earth giving way under foot, we're looking forward to Spring.







I. One more snow man before it all melts away




II. Despite cold hands, Arianna gives us a smile




III. Arianna's snow man

Unglaublich!

A week ago the clematis was covered in snow . . .




and snow-covered trees etched a sky alive with geese.





Today, while outside refilling the bird feeders, I was startled to see something unbelievable (unglaublich) . . .





Now, the appearance of daffodil leaves in February is uncommon. Especially when the ground is still covered in snow. Since the Cottage Garden faces south and we had sun yesterday, some of the snow has melted.





But, by all accounts it's still Winter and these are waaaay too early.

Winter's Norm

Sick again . . .

More snow to shovel . . .

Heavy, wet snow fell on the Fox River Valley while we slept last night. A pretty picture to be sure, but as February winds down . . . .

These were taken in the early morning hours. Since Arianna is still sick, I attended the early Mass at St. Catherine's. When I got home, the house was still. So, I decided to take a few pictures.



I. Backyard looking west





II. Not as cozy as in Summer, is it?





III. White tail deer on the move





IV. Oak leaves shudder in the cold

Valentines Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Thankfully, Arianna has gotten over her illness.

She's been looking forward to this day for quite some time. Ever the party planner, she has been decorating the house and dreaming up activities for us to do since January.

Although the activities were not as time consuming as she would have liked them to be, Arianna was fairly pleased with the results of her party.

It was a pleasant afternoon. Everybody enjoyed each others company.

And so now we ask ourselves . . . what's the next holiday to plan for?

Hmm?

Couldn't be a birthday.




Arianna at her well table.

Earthquake

Sharon ran up stairs from the basement. I sprang up out of a sound sleep and reached for my glasses. When I heard Sharon, she was already opening the door to Bruno's bedroom. She had heard a rattle and then felt the house shake; she expected to find Bruno dead on the floor, not sound asleep in bed.

What shook the house?

A tree, we thought. So we went into the sunroom. Nothing to see but the foot or so of fresh fallen snow.

It wasn't until this morning that I discovered the cause of our frightful awakening last night: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Breaking-News-Earthquake-Shakes-Chicagoland-84000302.html. And, although a slight tremor, a feeling that I'm thankful I don't have to be concerned about on a routine basis.

Snow Day

Weather forecasters predicted 12 -15" of new snow through Thursday morning. Given the amount of snowfall out east, it's a mere trifle.

Still, St. Catherine called a snow day. And I opted to forgo the commute and worked remotely.

Arianna was not able to take advantage of the day off because . . . can you guess? That's right, sick again. 4th Grade is turning out to be a genuine nuisance. Less than a meeting of minds with Arianna's teacher. And, repeated absences due to illness.

A rarity . . . der alte Hund caught on "film".

Assembly Speaker

On Friday, to conclude Catholic Schools Week, there was an assembly at St. Catherine's. Arianna and the other Honor Roll students were publicly congratulated. In addition to her Honor Roll Award, she received a "Creative Artist" certificate.

What, I'd have really liked to see was her "speech".

Arianna won a drawing that gave her the privilege to address the entire school (and visiting parents) on why she and her classmates appreciate the sacrifice made by their parents to send them to St. Catherine of Siena.

Sharon captured it on video, but . . . it's not really the same, is it?

Candlemas / Groundhog Day / Mid-Winter

We did not undertake our traditional Ground Hog Day entertainment this evening. No TV on school nights.

###

How Bruno must suffer.

His belligerent attitude is sometimes too much. And he doesn't just try to pick a fight with Sharon or me either. Arianna is not excluded from being confronted by him.

What is going on is a mystery to us.

Brain chemistry?

Senility?

It's a roller coaster ride that I've stopped expecting to end soon.