Birds are smart. I wish I was one, especially in the winter when it's so cold that all you want to do is crawl under a blanket and stay there until the sun comes out. So many of my friends and family look forward to the snow and cold because they love to ski and snowboard down a mountaintop close by in Western Massachusetts or skiing in Utah. Give me a pool or a walking trail in Florida in the middle of February or March and I'm happy as a lark!

Have you ever seen a flock of birds in one place? My son used to say they were having a bird meeting. Perhaps when they have a bird meeting they discuss when they will fly south and where they will finally arrive. What do you think?

We had approximately 5 inches of snow yesterday. The roads were slick and accidents were reported in many areas here in Western Massachusetts. Today the wind is blowing and the temperature is 5 degrees Farenheit which makes it feel like -15 degrees Farenheit. We'll be keeping the wood pellet stoves going all day to generate heat. I have two sons home from college. One is making perogies with his grandmother and the other is taking pictures of bridges with my husband. It's a cold day to be outside taking pictures!!

I'm glad I have this week off. I teach nursing assistants and LPN students at a vocational technical school which has the same vacations as regular schools. I am enjoying spending the time relaxing with my 5 dogs and 1 cat. They give me great pleasure and are a wonderful source of companionship to me. I have a toy poodle, a yorkshire terrier, a cocker spaniel, a cockapoo from the one litter of pups we had from the cocker spaniel and toy poodle, and a peekapoo from a patient I had who no longer could care for her. Our cat is a short haired black, gray and white tabby who is 1.5 years old. I'll be keeping all my pets close by during these cold days and nights!!