Blizzard, (No) Lunar Eclipse, Dawkins, etc. etc. etc.

Well obviously the lunar eclipse still happened last night/early this morning (depending on your time zone and all), but here in Minnesota we had more snow and thus a sky full of clouds. The clouds did have an orange tint to them, though, which was probably some diffused light from the eclipse.

So it's officially winter, and I am already ready for spring (I have been for about a week). But at the same time, I try really hard not to wish myself somewhere else from where I am - remember the quote from Richard Dawkins:

"We are going to die, and that makes us the lucky ones. Most people are never going to die because there are never going to be born. The number of people who could be here in my place outnumber the sand grains of the Sahara. If you think about all the different ways in which our genes could be computed, you and I are quite grotesquely lucky to be here . . . the number of events that had to happen in order for you to exist, in order for me to exist . . . we are privileged to be alive, and we should make the most of our time on this world."

So it's winter. It's cold. Big fucking deal - how do I make the most of it? Wishing for spring is not making the most of it. It's just that we've had snow on the ground since November 16. And we'll probably have snow on the ground until March 16. That's close to half a year of snow! Maybe if I was more athletic, then I could enjoy the winter sports. But I have no interest in participating in winter sports, and I have a one and a half year old (exactly 18 months today!) who can barely walk in snow pants and boots (she looks like Ralphie from A Christmas Story). So, we make the most of it by playing inside and being together (the photo is of how she "helps" me cook).

Which reminds me, in a week from right now I will be at the airport, checking my bags and preparing for takeoff to Vermont . . . .
. . . . my nerves feel static.

And another appropriate quote:

"This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it." - Ralph Waldo Emerson