Both Were Unexpected

One was welcome. One decidedly was not.

Less than an inch of snow was the forecast.
Eight inches arrived instead.

Fortunately, no cause for alarm: ample firewood kept the hearth roaring, hens continued producing eggs with impressive enthusiasm in their heated hen house, milk and half & half were on hand, and the Whisky Room remained fully stocked — as any sensible household would insist.

So what, then, was the unexpected and entirely unwelcome guest this weekend?

The flu.

The entire household was taken down for the count, though operations continued at a gentler pace. Horses were fed and watered (eventually), the teapot never stopped working, our honey reserves declined noticeably, and the sofa was promoted — temporarily — to infirmary status.

Like all things, this too will pass. The view from indoors was spectacular, and with next weekend’s forecast calling for nine inches, we are calmly preparing for anywhere between one and eighteen.