An eerily beautiful and powerful blizzard descended on Bedlam around 4 a.m, and some fool in Washington County ran outside in his boots and bathrobe and rushed up and down the hill with a camera until his fingers were frozen and the camera was covered in ice and his feet were frozen. A woman going to work in her tiny Honda slowed and then sped up, bless her. On the hill, donkeys brayed in a jeering chorus, Lenore followed me faithfully, burrowing in the snow.

Popcorn is awaiting the microwave, the wine will wait until dinner. Donkeys are in the barn, the plows are coming and going. We have seen snowshoers, hikers, boys on jetski’s, families taking in the snow and wind. It is cold The dogs do not want to spend much time outside. Much shoveling stamping of feet, shivering, drinking of tea. I am thawing.