It is pretty out in a dreary kind of way. The subtlest dusting of snow gives everything a steely look. The birds have arrived for breakfast 1/2 an hour early. When I first started feeding the birds in December it was mainly juncos, also known by their prettier name, snowbirds. Now I have a whole host of feathered friends; chickadees, tufted titmouse, an occasional downy woodpecker at the suet feeder, morning doves and yesterday my first purple finch. Tedsey loves to sit in the blue chair and watch the birds; mostly he snoozes.

Everyone who lives in New England talks about the weather incessantly and often in a grousing kind of way. " Too cold, too snowy, too windy, too icey, too rainy...." This last week of monsoon rains with basements flooding, power outages and no doubt devastating erosion has tested everyones mettle.

It seems to be snowing everywhere but Concord. Paul's brother called from N.J. to tell him they were all celebrating a 2nd snow day, had 24 inches and were skiing in their backyard. Peter texted us yesterday " awesome pow day at Sunday River " I am an eternal optimist (or try to be) and even I am feeling gray around the gills. Then I realize there's always March. Let it snow like it did in December and then let it be spring!