Well, we ended up with about 9 or 10 inches of snow, followed by 2 to 3 inches of ice pellets, followed by about 1/4 inch of freezing rain, finished off with 2 to 3 inches of more snow.

Being a man of the North, I got out during the first snow and cleared the driveway and sidewalk. Years of “It’s easier to move 6 inches of snow twice than 12 inches of snow once” kicked into gear. My family and neighbors seemed to find this interesting, as I was monitored from all angles while I did it.

However, the next day when I tried to repeat the process and ran into that nice, thick layer of ice, my 50-something year old back told me that it was a good idea to clear the sidewalk and just make a path up the driveway for the Amazon delivery guy.

The Young Prince and I will endeavor to clear away the rest of the driveway today and tomorrow. I won’t use salt, because I like my driveway, but an ice scraper and a shovel seem to do the trick. It’s just going to take time, effort, and stubbornness to finish the job.

In other news, I found out that more of my neighbors than I thought have snowblowers. I may have to inquire as to whether or not they have daughters of marrying age so that I may introduce my progeny to them.

The Young Prince has been on remote learning for the past couple of days, extending his Christmas break somewhat. Interestingly enough, his art assignments seem to have been the most challenging to complete. My kitchen table was set up as a canvas as he used common household items to create still life photographs using all the colors of the wind.

Irish Woman continues her tasks for her employer from the house, which seems to be centered around multiple phone calls each day, interspersed with silence as she works. These interludes are punctuated by curses at her monitor in a manner only a Kentucky woman of Irish descent can do when the computer does not do as she told it.

Crash, the Siamese Terror, has been comfortably ensconced in a kitty condo in the garage for the duration of the weather event. He gets regular checks and scratches each day. I am doing my best to not allow his outdoor abode get overly burdened with snow and ice.

The canine pets, Moonshine the WonderLab, Princess Sophie von Grrr of Beagle-Dachshund, and Ellie May, the pretty, but not too bright beagle/lab mix, are enjoying much napping in between bouts of insanity brought on by tennis balls and a “Mister Bill” chew toy. Actually, Sophie and Ellie enjoy the insanity. Moonshine, being the elder statesman he is, just sits back and watches his sisters lose their ever loving minds.

Moonshine, he of the thick undercoat, is OK with the snow and chilly temperatures. He’s a little old to cavort in the snow, but he goes about his business outside without a lot of change to his usual routine. Ellie thinks this is the most awesome time of her life, and has to be coaxed back into the house. Sophie, on the other hand, goes out, does her business, and is then happy to grace us with her indoors presence immediately, preferably on somebody’s lap and covered up with a blanket.

We’re slated to get more snow in the next few days, with temperatures not staying above freezing for at least another week after that. Looks like Old Man Winter finally decided to pay us a visit.