ABOUT A FOOT, GIVE OR TAKE

Yup, we got a little under twelve inches of snow last night (give or take in a few areas). Of course, as per usual, my town decided that a two hour delay would suffice, whilst all the other schools in the area were closed. (Alas, I'm not in high school anymore, so I'll say "so long" to snow days -- our school cancels every -- what? -- ten years? Even under two feet of snow.) Heck, we're all used to it already. Every citizen of the Midwest has a second job: driveway shovel-er and/or snow plower. For the amount of snow we got, I finally was able to wear my winter boots, which I've only worn twice this very dry winter. Due to their floral brown design, they're crazy hard to pair with anything, but I decided the chilly weather would give me an excuse if I was totally not matching. So, I paired the design with my stripey dress and a yellow cardi, along with some bunched tan socks on the boots. I think it looked okay, given the weather!

FALLING SNOW AND CHARMING MUSIC

Picture of the snow on campus, since it's dark when I get home usually!

Remember those "nasty yard puddles" I was talking about the other day? Well, here's an update: nasty yard puddles have evolved into full-blown snow fall and snow-covered roads. Geez, Punxsutawny Phil, I thought you predicted an early spring. Did you lie to us all? At least, all of us up here in the North? (Wouldn't be the first time we've been lied to -- aka "Welcome to the North, where the forecasts are made up and the seasons don't matter"... yeah, I stole that from a funny Facebook picture.)

THE CRACKLE OF THE PIER, THE SMELL OF THE ICE

The metal slabs of the pier crackled and snapped beneath our feet as we stepped out upon the water. An icy gust whistled across the expanse, making our eyes water and our fingers miss the shutter key. Ghostly memories of mirror-still water and tired fishermen -- their boats bobbing lazily in the reeds -- drift through our minds like afterimages. Our little pier sits alone -- now too frozen to dismantle by people that were too busy to care.

That was our backdrop for pictures this evening.