Dog Tracks in Snow

Well the snow kept coming last night and now we have a total of about a foot. No school again. Got a 6:00 AM call form the Superintendent requesting several event cancelation notices to go on the district website.

Part of my morning was taking the snow blower out to clear the drives - just like yesterday. Nicki had to go into work. Oberlin College's motto when it comes to weather and all else: "Fearless". She took her camera and got shots around the Conservatory while I contained myself at home.

I'd call last night's debate a draw. A little testy at times which was expected. And they both sounded like Democrats which helps. Didn't change my vote.

Bird Tracks in Snow

Four to eight inches of snow - the magic numbers with the magic words. And we have no school today. We haven't had many full 5-day weeks in school lately. Next week the kids have Elections Day off while the teachers work.

Once again it is time to remember the exposure compensation numbers for snow photos (+1).

Tonight is the Democratic debate in Cleveland. I'm sure they will spend some time talking about the weather. Ohio must be important again. Nice to have so many phone conversations with my union brothers. They sure want to know how I'm going to vote next Tuesday.

Valentines Day

For our celebration of the day (and yet very spontaneously) Nicki and I went into Cleveland to see the Cleveland Orchestra play. They did a Hungarian opera selection called Bluebeard's Castle by Bartok about a bad duke who takes his new bride to his dark and gloomy castle. She finds 7 locked doors and wants them opened to brighten up the place. It's the old fatal "if you love me there will be no secrets". He suggests she leave the doors locked and don't ask questions but she insists. First door finds a torture chamber with walls covered with blood. Second door finds all his bloody weapons of war. Third door finds jewels and riches - splattered with blood. Fourth door finds a garden and more blood everywhere. Fifth door finds some other bloody stuff - I forget what. He keeps telling her he loves her and please stop asking - but she doesn't of course. Sixth door finds a lake of tears (symbolizing sadness over running out of blood?). And the last door finds his three dead former wives - which she joins. And he's back to being alone and sad. It really fit the valentines theme perfectly. Somebody had a sense of humor about scheduling. The singers and narrator actually did the lyrics in Hungarian and they ran the subtitles off a thing hanging from the ceiling and their voices were fantastic. The orchestra was great - very moody. We had good seats and the tickets were free (Nicki has connections at the office).