My mukluks dried from the weekend snow, and I put them down the cellar with the ice skates I never wear and the cross country skis I used until my knees and back screamed. How silly of me! The next storm, a nor’easter, is due to start around midnight tonight, and I figure I might just need those mukluks. It looks as if we’ll get 8 inches here on the cape while Boston can expect around 14.

I’m of two minds when it comes to snow. I love watching the flakes fall and how pristine the trees and yards look before a foot, a shovel or a plow has its way. I never mind it when Gracie runs and leaves paw prints in the snow. They seem right, natural, and not a disturbance to the beauty of the landscape. The other part of me wonders when the plow will get here to free me as I can’t wait to be out of my involuntary prison even though I know some roads will still have a snow cover. When I drive over them, my tires make a crunching sound which reminds me to be careful.

Last night my leg hurt so badly that I yelped out loud several times and woke myself up. I tried different methods to get rid of the pain. I changed position which helped for a while, stood on the cold floor which also helped for a while, took off my socks and finally, around three, took something for the pain. I fell asleep until well after noon, and that was just the beginning of my day. I started the coffee and went to get the newspaper. I was careful to avoid any ice or snow. The paper was in the driveway so I retrieved it, walked back to the house and tried to open the door. It had locked itself. The backdoor had done that before but never the front. I stood there for a while pondering my options. I couldn’t choose across the street for help as they are in their 70’s and climbing the fence in the back was beyond them. My young, nimble neighbors still work. The house right next door looked dark and empty, but I figured I’d give it a try anyway. I knocked on the door and Sebastian, my neighbor and landscaper, was home. I told him my tale of woe and he followed me home whereupon he jumped the fence, went in the back door, came to the front and let me inside. Come to find out he’s sick and had just come from the doctor’s office. I thanked him and told him I hoped he’d get better and he wished for me the same.

I’m leery of the rest of the day as bad things do come in three’s. I’ll keep you posted.