Why didn't I put on my muffler?

Happiness is a warm house, a heavy jacket, gloves and a hat.

Temperatures rapidly switched from Indian summer to full-on winter during Thanksgiving vacation. Our day's have been in the 30s with icy breezes that swirl under coats, pants and collars. The mountain passes all require chains and deft driving around all the spinouts from the crazed SUV drivers who have no clue that there is a difference between steering and braking. We are expecting temps in the teens overnight. We've had little spits of snow for three days now. The smart folks put up their Christmas lights and decorations the day after a turkey dinner. It was relatively balmy and windless then. Now...let's just say we're in no rush to get those lights up.

Kids see it the process very differently. My kindergartners burst out of the classroom for recess today and screamed in delight, "Snow!" They didn't pay attention to the winds or the piercing cold; they were totally focused on the occasional snowflake that the weatherpersons reported as "lake effects snow" from Tahoe. And my favorite kindergarten quote for the day has to be, "It's a MIRACLE! I never even made a snowflake before!" from an astonished little girl unfolding her first-ever cut snowflake.

I'll welcome winter when it gets here because it won't be a cold as this change of season. We'll see snowy sparkling yards rather than a dusting of dry snow swirling along the sidewalks. We'll see neighbors shoveling driveways rather than deserted streets as we all huddle at home. We'll hear the excited yelling of children rather than gusting winds blasting against windows. It will be calm and peaceful even if it's also cold. And we'll be used to cooler temps and working in the yard when it's 35 degrees out, not huddling inside.

(I'm feeling a little guilty about leaving Kharma outside during the day while it alternately snows, sunshines, gusts, clouds--but my wonderful neighbor reports that the puppy takes it calmly and apparently ignores the weather while she plays in the yard.)

The Up Side

Indian summer leads to the first hard frosts. I'll spare anyone the photos, but it's so nice to have dog waste that is frozen solid. It doesn't stink, it doesn't stick to the grass, and it picks up nicely.

Hey, I'm just sayin'...

The Downside

There are many wonderful aspects of living with a dog. However, some things we could do without especially this occasionally rainy Autumn.

Rain, unlike snow, is wet.
Rain means a dog with muddy feet.

Rain, unlike snow, is not frozen.
Rain means soft soggy dog presents on the lawn.

Autumn is also called Fall for a good reason. There are leaves everywhere in our backyard, and if you don't keep them raked every day, then those soggy dog goodies are hidden.

Things hidden in leaves are easily stepped in and soggy things stick really well to shoes.

The family feels that puppies shouldn't be left out during the rain, even if they have a lovely dry doghouse. When puppies are left alone, even with toys galore, they find new things to play with. One rainy day, ours discovered toilet paper. This was a double roll--one of those wonderful rolls about 6 inches thick that just barely fit on the dispenser. Apparently those are the most fun to play with. We came home to find our downstairs bath looked like a freak blizzard had just roared through. Kharma looked very satisfied, entertained and ready for more fun!

We're so glad she doesn't mind being shut up alone.