Bob Wittersheim

Snow was heaped over sidewalks, blown into sloping mounds at doors. and standing in thick, unbroken swaths on park benches and bird baths. Today, while not sunny per se, was brighter. The thick, gray clouds that had brought the storm had blown over when wispy white ones replaced them.

Snow was heaped over sidewalks, blown into sloping mounds at doors. and standing in thick, unbroken swaths on park benches and bird baths. Today, while not sunny per se, was brighter. The thick, gray clouds that had brought the storm had blown over when wispy white ones replaced them.

Snow was heaped over sidewalks, blown into sloping mounds at doors. and standing in thick, unbroken swaths on park benches and bird baths. Today, while not sunny per se, was brighter. The thick, gray clouds that had brought the storm had blown over when wispy white ones replaced them.

I spied them from the window seat at the end of the upstairs hall in my house and thought they looked a bit like the thready, woolly yarn of my scarf.

I spied them from the window seat at the end of the upstairs hall in my house and thought they looked a bit like the thready, woolly yarn of my scarf.

I spied them from the window seat at the end of the upstairs hall in my house and thought they looked a bit like the thready, woolly yarn of my scarf.

I leaned closer to the pane, my breath fogging up the glass. There hadn't been much entertainment in the last few days. But watching their little family had given me lots of laughs. They had gotten a new puppy a week or two ago. and their two sons, along with their grown retriever, Clover, had been making the most of the days off.

I leaned closer to the pane, my breath fogging up the glass. There hadn't been much entertainment in the last few days. But watching their little family had given me lots of laughs. They had gotten a new puppy a week or two ago. and their two sons, along with their grown retriever, Clover, had been making the most of the days off.

I leaned closer to the pane, my breath fogging up the glass. There hadn't been much entertainment in the last few days. But watching their little family had given me lots of laughs. They had gotten a new puppy a week or two ago. and their two sons, along with their grown retriever, Clover, had been making the most of the days off.

While many of us had just let the snow pile up, waiting to clear paths and sidewalks,

While many of us had just let the snow pile up, waiting to clear paths and sidewalks,

While many of us had just let the snow pile up, waiting to clear paths and sidewalks,

The boys had been out every hour or two, with their shovels, making paths for the dogs. I imagined the promises they had made about that puppy, that they would walk him every day, that they would be sure to let him out and play with him. And so far, they were doing just that. Well, not walking him, really. It was too cold, and the pup too young for walks.

The boys had been out every hour or two, with their shovels, making paths for the dogs. I imagined the promises they had made about that puppy, that they would walk him every day, that they would be sure to let him out and play with him. And so far, they were doing just that. Well, not walking him, really. It was too cold, and the pup too young for walks.

The boys had been out every hour or two, with their shovels, making paths for the dogs. I imagined the promises they had made about that puppy, that they would walk him every day, that they would be sure to let him out and play with him. And so far, they were doing just that. Well, not walking him, really. It was too cold, and the pup too young for walks.

but they romped in the snow with him through balls which disappeared into snowbanks and kept the path from the door shoveled and clear. I'd baked some biscuits for the dogs and some banana bread

but they romped in the snow with him through balls which disappeared into snowbanks and kept the path from the door shoveled and clear. I'd baked some biscuits for the dogs and some banana bread

but they romped in the snow with him through balls which disappeared into snowbanks and kept the path from the door shoveled and clear. I'd baked some biscuits for the dogs and some banana bread

And once my own sidewalk was shoveled, I'd sneak over to their house to visit. I smiled to myself. thinking about the wild puppy kisses I'd be gifted and the happy, excited energy of their household. I shuffled down the long hall, a sweater around my shoulders and thick socks on my feet.

And once my own sidewalk was shoveled, I'd sneak over to their house to visit. I smiled to myself. thinking about the wild puppy kisses I'd be gifted and the happy, excited energy of their household. I shuffled down the long hall, a sweater around my shoulders and thick socks on my feet.