Simon, Garfunkel, and Fluffy Snow...

You may wonder where I have been. Stuck under something heavy? Kind of...but not exactly. Well, anyway, I am back.

I-I am ho-o-o-ome. Gazing through my window, to the street below, I'm a freshly fallen, silent shroud of snow...

But I am not a Rock or an Island. I am a walking entertainment and education factory that also functions as a restaurant and housekeeping service throughout the day...through admittedly not as efficiently as professionals.

This is probably why, when I told my friends about my summer job at my daughter's camp, they were all so happy for me. "Oh, how nice, it will be like a vacation for you for the summer!"

Now just to clarify things, I am VERY happy about my summer job. I LOVE Deeny Riback and am truly grateful that I can use my god-given skills to help out, while providing an opportunity for Rachel to join her sister at camp this year. It will not be a vacation, but I understand why my girlfriend thinks so. After all, I have been up since 6 am, cooking and cleaning. We baked pumpkin bread, and we have done two extensive craft projects. I have read several books to them, and we each have written our own books. Finally, after much feeding and cleanup from crafts and then lunch, I prepared them for snow angels and playtime outside, which is absolutely Daddy's domain.

Still I wouldn't trade anything for the ability to be the person at home doing this job. Yes, it is challenging, and yes the girls do fight every half-hour or so...but here I am, witness to their growth and development, squabbles, learning, and first experiences of every kind.

So I am not a Rock or an Island. I am a Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, a Teacher and a Friend, the Good Cop and the Bad Cop.

And on this "winter's day, in a deep and dark December", the falling snow means we all get to stay home and enjoy it together. Squabbles and all...

Happy Snow Day to You!