The holiday season

Winter has arrived early and with a vengeance this year. We've endured cold weather for several weeks now, but it's hit especially hard lately, with today being an especially bitter day - brutally cold, and very windy. (The temperature is currently 1 degree here, according to weather.com, with a wind-chill of -22.) Also, two days ago we got hit with what they say was the biggest snowfall in the area in a quarter-century ... about 10 inches ... and then it was followed up by another several inches last night! However, the weather difficulties are worth the concomitant joy we're experiencing. An annual tradition that will take place this week is a big family sleepover at my brother's house, and I'm especially eager to see my son John, home from his senior year at St. Olaf College, and my daughter Christy and her still relatively new husband Reggie, who just drove in yesterday from their home in Colorado (via Reggie's parents in Kansas). So, they're no doubt exhausted from the long trip ... but still, this is bound to be a great few days!