It is cold here in Northern Indiana. I suppose you have heard. Here in the
northeast corner we have about 12 inches of snow and the blowing and drifting
began a couple of hours ago. My small town is pretty well shut down...shops,
restaurants, the library, even all the churches have called off for tomorrow.

I took my nightly walk anyway. I put on everything I could find in the
downstairs closet...long johns and jeans...two pair socks..my hiking boots...two
sweaters...big coat and I mean BIG coat..two hats, two scarves and mittens.

There was a sense of eeriness as I ventured out alone..Main Street was quiet
except for an occasional vehicle with the lights blinking, a snowmobile or two
(although it is even too cold for them with wind chill at 20 below!!), and a
roaming police car. They passed me several times...I wasn't sure if they were
worried about my safety in the cold or that I was a vagrant.

The houses in my neighborhood were closed up tightly...with blinds and
curtains drawn to keep in the heat and keep out the blowing winds. I imagined
families and couples together in houses playing Scrabble, reading books, talking by
the fire. I smiled to think of so many of my friends recently coupled up and
happy and together on this night....

The walk was arduous....pathways that were once shoveled were swept away by
the winter winds. There were drifts as beautiful as ice cream sundaes and
whipped cream...there were pathways of snow with swirling patterns which made me
think of last summer's beach walks. Everywhere I walked my tracks were new and
fresh as if I were the only one of earth. I did meet one walker...a girl, I
think. She warned me to be careful and hurry home..I nodded and smiled
through my scarf. I don't think her walk was for pleasure like mine.

Winter is amazing wherever you live. We like to talk about it...wait for
it...complain about it...but tonight as I sit looking at the snow blow off my
neighbor's roof, it is peaceful. I have a glass of red wine, Folktales on NPR,
books to read, and a Sweetheart to call who will want to know all about my day.
So, winter, to you I raise my glass on this night.

In other news, I did make the part in the play. The production is the last
week end of February. Needless to say, I am very excited. I have a wonderful
newspaper photo and article of my Dad. It was taken in 1959 before opening
night of "The Man Woman of Shaillot." I will save my articles and photos and
frame mine right next to his...the man who taught me to love words.

I also will be working in Lafayette this week helping children learn and love
beautiful words in a workshop called Ice Capades. Perfect for January, don't
you think?

I leave you with a few phrases of my own haiku...wishing you warmth and love
(I have an electric blanket!!) on this winter's night in January.

sifting through snowflakes
the powdered web caught my breath
sun is my hero

it's so cold at night
the moon pierces my window
much like halogen

dressing gown of white
falls from alabaster heights
cascades of moonlight