The dark of winter

Whew. It's blowing sideways out there at the moment. The wind is howling, whipping the power lines like snapping rubber bands, the rain pounding the side of the house and rattling the windows trying to get in. The dogs are barking, sounding the weather alert. ("Rain, rain, go away...?") That said, we're cozy and warm with cats in our laps, and the blue glow of the TV to distract us. I keep repeating my mantra: " this, too, shall pass." Spring will be here before we know it, right?