And winter just keeps hanging on

This has been a winter for the record books in the Northeast.  The Great Lakes are almost all frozen over, something that rarely happens.  The snow and cold just won't go away, it seems.

I find myself only venturing out when I have to. . . to go to work, to put gas in the car and get groceries or run the car through the car wash.  I much prefer the warmth of my home and the company of my two Labs, Morgan and Molly, than to feel the brutal wind on my face.

I've always complained about the stores putting seasonal merchandise out far too soon.  You know, back to school merchandise before the Fourth of July, Halloween items the end of August. . . But this year, walking into BJs on Sunday afternoon and seeing lawn hoses, fertilizer, and insect repellent instilled a sense of hope. . . a promise that warm weather really will come again.

It won't be long now before my annual trek down South to my cousins' reunion.  This will be our sixth year and it is more fun each year.  Days of t-shirts and sandals, sun hats and good times!