This winter has been a rough one for many people: nationally, locally, and personally. \u00a059.3 inches of snow moved this winter up to seventh place for total snow accumulation here since 1868. \u00a0Not only has snow accumulation nudged records, but we have had one of the coldest winters in decades.<\/p>\n This was the second year that the Weather Channel gave names to winter storms. \u00a0I read that they enlisted the help of a high school Latin class in Bozeman, Montana and the students produced some interesting names like Maximus, Titan, Electra, Rex, and Atlas. \u00a0However, I stopped paying attention to the names by the time we reached Pax. \u00a0For one thing, it was the sixteenth storm and, by then, I was quite tired of snow.<\/p>\n When I first heard the name, I thought Pax as in Pax Romana? Peace in Rome? Surely not. \u00a0It was not a peaceful storm; it was a full-scale blizzard. \u00a0I must have heard the name wrong. \u00a0It must have been “Pox” as in ancient curses and insults; A pox upon thee<\/em>. \u00a0That would be more appropriate, like an ancient curse or wish that something bad will happen to someone. \u00a0A pox on you and your bright ideas and plans, from Mother Nature.<\/em>\u00a0 The sixteenth storm, Pox, was definitely a misfortunate calamity.<\/p>\n For me, this winter was filled with local events and non-events. \u00a0Many days were simply too cold to venture out because of frostbite warnings and I really didn’t have to. \u00a0I joined a local gym and, weather permitting, attended exercise classes twice a week. \u00a0I’m part of a writer’s workshop and am currently working on a mystery novel set in New York City. \u00a0I also joined a group of local women\u00a0who call themselves The Happy Wanderers. \u00a0Together, we went to the theater, museums, fairs, luncheons, and other events. \u00a0They are a group of very interesting mature women.<\/p>\n![\"IMG_7137\"](\"https:\/\/gallivantinggrandma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/IMG_7137.jpg\")
<\/a>The Pond<\/p>\n<\/a>Ice on the Dogwood Tree<\/p>\n<\/a>Shoveling Snow<\/p>\n<\/a>Looking Out the Window<\/p>\n