Justin Jacobs

They say it was the storm of the century. Our little city got buried by over 15 inches of snow yesterday. My wife and I took turns shoveling the walks in the middle of a blizzard. We lost a few tree limbs, but the power stayed on and most of our day was spent working on the Crossword while our daughter played Roblox and watched the new season of Bluey.

It took about an hour for me to dig out our poor little Crossover SUV from the drive way in the morning. Most of the businesses I follow on Instagram have gave up on opening this weekend. We had to move around some plans to see family while we wait for the plows to come and release us from winters clutches. They are saying that the deep cold is going to set in now, the kind that feels like a million red hot needles poking you right in the face. The hunkering down will continue.

Winter in the Midwest can be a cruel mistress, but I find it to be the perfect backdrop for putting a record on, brewing a good cup of coffee or tea, and getting after my ever growing stack on unread books. Its also when I try to catchup on shows or movies that got lost in the shuffle last year – the Todd Haynes movie May December, and the show everyone seems to be talking about, Slow Horses, say hello.

I hope anyone who is having to deal with this storm is having a safe and warm weekend. When you are not out shoveling I hope you have a good book to read, a warm meal in your belly and perhaps a few drinks to lift the spirits.

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite poems.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.   
His house is in the village though;   
He will not see me stopping here   
To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   
To stop without a farmhouse near   
Between the woods and frozen lake   
The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   
To ask if there is some mistake.   
The only other sound’s the sweep   
Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   
But I have promises to keep,   
And miles to go before I sleep,   
And miles to go before I sleep.