Why Hasn't Someone Strangled That Damned Groundhog Yet?

Good grief! Here it is March 1st and it's raining and in the lower 40's. I feel as if I'm living in some surreal alternate world. This just isn't normal. We usually don't actually have a spring season here. It just goes from the 50's to the 70's and then on up as summer nears. We spend winters golfing, grilling on the barbie, and doing whatever else we can to be outside. Unfortunately, this year I've become somewhat of a reclusive hermit and not by choice, I assure you. My skin is so pale you can practically see through it, allowing every large or small vein to shine with prominence. In fact, I'm considering covering all the mirrors in the house in black shrouds to mourn the death of what used to be my year-around tan. Sure, it was the dreaded golfer's tan, but it was a tan all the same. I miss that tan. I miss the sun. And now, I'll be missing the winter Olympics as well.

I'm sick of wearing the turtlenecks, boots and sweaters that I once longed to wear. What was I thinking? Now I long to wear anything that evens hints of summer. Yes, I'm the same person that usually bitches about the heat. I swear I'll never say another unkind word about the heat. Uh-Huh. Right!

During any normal winter (as in not THIS one), I will usually go through something like 1/4 of a cord of wood but this year I am almost down to the last few logs of an entire cord (which is equal to say... 2 large pickup trucks filled to the top of the cab) that we'd bought back in October. In the 24 years that we've lived in this house, I've never once gone through more than 1/2 cord. That says I'm either getting old and bone-y or it has been one helluva cold winter.

I've even worn my coat a lot this year, instead of the normal light jackets of years past. Our son (who lives in Austin) actually had to buy a coat this year, for the first time. Okay, so that's enough gritching about our unusual winter weather. I'm clinging to the whole if-March-comes-in-like-a-lion-it-will-go-out-like-a-lamb theory. Then, I might travel to where that damned groundhog lives so I can strangle him.


On a happier note, our daughter SD did receive a *waiting list letter* from the Univ. of Texas School of Law, which is a really good sign. However, this last week she flew into Dallas to visit a friend who is in law school at SMU and was able to attend classes with her for a day. The even better news is that she has been accepted at SMU Law along with a sizable scholarship. It's not a full ride or anything, but it would definitely help. She's gotten accepted by dozens of law schools across the country, most with offers of scholarships, but I think our little Texas native wants to come home from La-La Land. Of course, I want her to be happy with whatever decision she makes but I'd certainly feel a lot better if she were back in her home state, at least. Hmmm.... I think I see a road trip in my near future.


Oddly enough, our son went to San Antonio last week to visit a friend who is in school at St. Mary's University School of Law and attended classes with him for a day. He loved it and the experience has further fueled his burning desire to attend law school once he finishes his undergraduate degree at St. Edward's University in Austin.


It's rather unusual that both of our children want to be lawyers, especially since Mr. Snoots absolutely hates lawyers (except for our best friend, of course). Ironic? Perhaps.


Now.... About that damned groundhog....