Softly powder falls on this early December day. We are reminded yearly of nature’s breathtaking wand that sprightly whitens the landscape within all but hours. It is nothing less than a magical painting.

I peer out over the view afforded freely by windows, twice arising old notions. The first is quietly comforting. I have nothing to do and all day to do it ! The snow silently descends and nearly beckons me to further relax and put another log on the fire.

Yes, that is for real. We burn a real fire every day. No gas. No valves or knobs; all logs cured for three years, hard wood only. Yes, that is notion #2.

As a farm boy, snow wasn’t always this luxurious. It just made all the work a little harder.

OK . Notion #3. And, why am I counting?