Groundhog Day 2013

We set the alarm this morning with one goal in mind:  catch the live broadcast of the Punxutawney prognostication.  The three of us came downstairs with the groundhogs in tow, sitting down by the computer just in time for some festive music, and then the big announcement:  Phil did not see his shadow.  That means spring is around the corner for those folks up north.  Moments later, we were pretty surprised that General Beau down here did not see his shadow.  That means six more weeks of winter for the South.  This may have come as a shock, but here are two things to think about:  first of all, it was actually a sunny morning.  Second of all, little did we realize, winter was on the way!  We had no idea about the forecast for the day, but when we got to church a little later in the afternoon, we discovered that it was actually snowing outside!

Sure, it was bitter cold.  We knew that.  That's one reason we didn't go to see General Beau in the morning:  it was too cold!  I think the temperature was in the twenties, which was a little too chilly for our tastes.  I just didn't feel great about keeping Madison in that sort of temperature for a prolonged amount of time.

Sure enough, it was snowing later on in the day.  That groundhog got it right!  Here's a photo of Madison playing in the huge amount of snow that fell during the first Great Blizzard of 2013:

If you look closely, you can see a snowflake or two in her hair.  It was actually flurrying a bit heavier than this picture shows, but obviously it was just that:  flurries.  Still, it was fun for Madison to run around in for a moment.  Okay, Daddy too.

It may not look like it in the photo, but it really was a magical moment.  There's something about snow and children put together - these two elements create magic.  There were heavy flakes descending down upon us, and Madison was running all about the courtyard in a wonderful attempt to catch just one on her tongue.  I don't think she succeeded this time, but it didn't matter to anyone.  It was just plain fun.  We had all been working hard this day, and the snow fall - however brief and limited - was a welcome sight!

The rest of the day went into the rest of the night, as has been the latest trend in a new series.  But tomorrow should be a great day at the Big Top!