Snow Bound!

It's been quite the test of endurance the past 36 hours. With no warning whatsoever, we got nailed with 4 inches of snow. Baby stuff to some, but to former Californians who previously considered "Winterizing" pulling a tarp over the BBQ and calling it a season, we might have well been in the tundra. But somehow we've managed to survive.

Rob passed the time by breaking out the three-year-old Brand New Snow Shovel and attacking our driveway. For future reference, our driveway is 4.5 hours long.

I spent most of yesterday wringing my hands over it being increasingly unlikely that we would get mail delivery -- or more importantly, mail pick-up -- as we had an important envelope that needed to be post-marked by the end of the day. The mail never came. I'm just sure I'm going to be penalized.

Much to our bewilderment, our newspaper was delivered this morning. Even more incredibly, the local rag of a newspaper -- the FREE one -- was also delivered. Eventually the mail lady arrived, shamed by the paper carriers no doubt. We saw her while we were taking a very careful walk. We watched her chained minivan spin up the hill. We chatted with her while she arranged 3 days' worth of mail. She said she had only slid around today, much better than the 2 ditches she dove into yesterday.

During our walk, we were almost run over four times by various versions of ATVs. Funny, it never occurred to me that snow was one of those "all terrain"s. Seemed pretty effective, though, if you discount the crazed driving of 14 year old boys...although I'm not sure I can. One ATV slalomed past us, the driver in full hunter mask and fatigues, V throwing up all sorts of T. I'm not sure what war he was in, but it was clear he was ready for battle.

The forecast says the snow is done but the iceman cometh. Now that the nice mail lady has my Very Important Envelope, I'll be able to enjoy tomorrow's captivity.