Dear Kid,

As I believe I may have mentioned, it is cold. And going to get even colder. (O, Joy.)

Note: Yes, it’s the same image as yesterday, but due to a technical yark! not everyone got to see it.

While there are people who love the winter and the cold, I am not one of them. I like one good snow accumulation a year, where you can go outside and appreciate the amazing job Mama Nature has done decorating the trees and come inside and be warm. I do not like sub-zero temperatures and howling winds—especially when I have to Go Places and show up looking more or less presentable.

As I have also mentioned, I am in charge of my own happiness. And while I completely believe in the value of a good kvetch now and then, there are some things (like the weather) I just don’t have any ability to control. Since I can’t control the speed or viciousness of the howling winds, I decided to make a list of The  to try to keep some balance in my perspective.

1. Next summer, when it is 95 degrees and 300% humidity, we can look back on this with fondness regret happiness…ok, we can just look back.
2. No one can complain that “it just isn’t winter without snow.”
3. It’s easy to justify hot chocolate, marshmallows, and brandy (for medicinal purposes only).
4. A roaring fire seems sort of silly when it’s shorts and T-shirt weather.
5. You don’t have to mow the snow.
6. You have a good excuse for hat hair.
7. Snowmen. You just can’t build them in the summer.
8. The winter Olympics.
9. Sweaters, scarves, layers, boots, and my entire winter wardrobe.
10. It’s never too hot to sleep.
11. Snow days.
12. Snuggling.

Stay warm, sweetie.

Love, Mom

Dear Kid,

‘Tis the night before Christmas and we’re off to visit family today.

We accidentally went to the mall yesterday—I had forgotten how much I love the huge mobs of people engaged in last minute shopping. Not. Fortunately, we were able to park (a major accomplishment), get in, purchase, and get out without too much trouble. And without permanent injury.

In the parking lot of the mall we went to, there was a car was set up. The one we saw was apparently an outpost of the main car wash service which was nearer the front of the mall. The idea is to have your car washed, waxed, buffed, and BeDazzled while you shop. I’ve never seen anything like that before. Because we’re so trend focused, I’m sure it will show up in Cincinnati in about 15 years.

It is lovely to walk outside without worrying about mittens and boots. It got a little on the toasty side yesterday mid-day (into the 90s). I assume this is more or less what Christmas in Australia feels like. One of the preschools around here brought in snow for the kids to play in. Unfortunately for the organizers, the kids (quite correctly) identified that snow is cold and wet. The older ones (four and up) were willing to play with it a little, but the younger ones decided to wait for the snow to melt and the world to return to normal.

Merry, merry. Jingle, jingle. Ho, ho, ho. And all that.

Love, Mom

Dear Kid,

It’s that time of year again. The time we like to call Winter.

Somehow this comes as a surprise to Booker every year. This year, I recorded some of the more interesting conversations he and I have had on our early morning walks.

Puppy: Mom, come smell this!
Me: No thank you
Puppy: You should really come smell this!
Me: No, moms don’t sniff things on the ground
Puppy: Ok, I’ll roll in it and you can sniff me!
Me: Booker!

Puppy: It’s really cold
Me: yup. hurry up
Puppy: I can’t hurry. It’s really cold.
Me: it’s warm inside.
Puppy: it’s too cold to walk home.

Puppy: Where’s the grass?
Me: Under the snow
Puppy: but puppies use grass
Me: today puppies use snow
Puppy: WHAT? that stuff’s cold
Me: it won’t get any warmer while you complain
Puppy: (this is just wrong)

Puppy: We should go outside
Me: It’s cold. You won’t be happy.
Puppy: We should go outside
Me: It’s really, really cold. You won’t be happy
Puppy: !!! Outside, Outside, Outside! This is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me!!!!
Me: Hold on, I’m getting my coat and gloves
Puppy: hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry
Me: OK. Out we go
Puppy: I’m cold. Let’s go inside

Puppy: I have snow in my toes.
Me: that’s what happens when you walk in the snow.
Puppy: it’s cold.
Me: Snow generally is.
Puppy: I have snow in my toes.
Me: would you like me to wipe off your paws?
Puppy: yes please. This one too.
Me: better?
Puppy: oh, yes… Let’s go sniff THAT snow.

Puppy: My feet are cold.
Me: We still have to walk home.
Puppy: But my feet are cold. I think I’ll shiver and look pathetic right here

Puppy: I have snow on my nose.
Me: That’s usually what happens when you stick your snout in the snow
Puppy: It tickles…and it tastes cold when I lick it off

Puppy: The ground moved!
Me: You slipped on the ice
Puppy: The ground isn’t supposed to move!
Me: It didn’t. You slipped on some ice
Puppy (affronted): somebody should fix that ground

Puppy: There is bad stuff in my toes
Me: It might be the stuff they put down to melt the snow
Puppy: I don’t like it
Me: Would you like me to wipe off your paws?
Puppy: Yes, please. You have warm hands
Me: Not any more

Puppy: Did you know you can smell through the snow?
Me: I was not aware of that
Puppy: Come here, I’ll show you
Me: No thank you
Puppy: Right here, it’s easy
Me: Mom’s don’t sniff through the snow
Puppy: How about right here?
Me: Haven’t we had this conversation before?
Puppy: All this sniffing would go a lot faster if you would help

Me: Didn’t you just sniff that spot?
Puppy: Yup
Me: Any particular reason you’re sniffing it again?
Puppy: You never know what might have happened in the last minute
Me: Fair enough

Puppy: Mom?
Me: Yes baby?
Puppy: I love you
Me: I love you too, sweetie
Puppy: I’m still cold
Me: I know. Ready to go home?
Puppy: Soon. I just need to finish sniffing

Love, Mom

Dear Kid Who Smells Like Short Hair,

Things have gone crazy here.

First of all, Mom and the Kid Who Smells Like Long Hair went to the groomers this morning. I’m really glad I just get my fur brushed and don’t have to get it cut, because it took a loooong time.

When they got home, Mom first helped Daddy stuff and seal A Lot of envelopes (I counted) which he had to mail for Ohio River Foundation. (I like Ohio River Foundation stuff. It smells like River and Mud which is fabulous. The envelopes didn’t smell like River or Mud. When I asked Daddy why he said it’s because they are asking people for money envelopes. I think they would be better if they smelled like River.)

Once that was done, Mom decided it was time to Make Some Progress. Do you know what it means to Make Some Progress? I do. First it mean moving a lot of dust around which made me sneeze. Twice. Then everyone had to help pull things out of closets. Mom went through all the things, found one or two items about which she could pronounce “We Don’t Need That,” and then everything else went back in the closets. That’s what it means to Make Some Progress.

I don’t want to be put in the “We Don’t Need That” pile or be put in a closet, so I’m hiding under the couch with my new chipmunk toy.

Mom says once she finishes this, it will be On to the Next Project. I’m hoping she forgets and decides to snuggle with me instead.

It snowed yesterday. I tried very hard to catch some snowflakes but they all disappeared. I don’t know how they do that and then reappear on the ground. It’s very confusing.

We’re supposed to get ice and freezing rain tomorrow. I don’t like ice so I think I might stay under the couch where it’s cozy. I’m also going to practice my pathetic look so someone will feel sorry for me and feed me treats. I love treats.

Hope someone is feeding you treats.

Love, Booker