Every Day’s a New Day

February is normally associated with hearts and flowers and boxes of chocolates. Here in the Bitterroot Valley it’s most often associated with sub zero temperatures, snowfall, and hunkering down until you can actually move out of your driveway.

The arctic storm hit us a couple of days ago. The county snowplows were overloaded with work, so much so that the school actually closed for 2 days. Unheard of in Montana! Brad, on his lone tractor, plowed our neighborhood street and everyone’s driveway, and a few driveways on adjacent streets of single women stranded in their homes. We figured about 24 inches of snow fell those three days, and today it’s starting up again.

The dog is not pleased, the outdoor cat is unhappy and the hens are not amused as their daily snacks tend to freeze, solid, before they can finish. But the little loves are still laying - out of 8 hens we tend to get 5 eggs. Which is a feat in this winter whiteout.

For us, it’s kinda lovely. Neighbor Penny brought a plate of chocolate chip cookies to thank Brad for his help. I have hot cocoa bombs left over from Christmas, so evenings are spent with Netflix, a dog at our feet and an outdoor kitty sitting in my lap warming up before she has to go outside again.

Since we were aware that the storm was approaching, the pantry and freezers remain well stocked. Food, family and good neighbors. A couple of snowshoes to wander the back 5 acres, a warm home to return to, and the most stunning landscape you could ever imagine. Life is what you make it. And sometimes, if you just turn off all the din, take a deep breath, and just “be,” life can be truly magical.