Well. I did not quite believe the forecasts but they proved to be right for once. And so I stepped out of my door this morning to be confronted with the almost-forgotten sight of snow on the ground. It has been a while, dear friend. And I did not expect to see a blanket of nice clean snow o’er top the city of Houston this morning, but there you go.

I have to say, it was a bit disconcerting(but wonderful!) driving around this morning. Driving to work in snow is a very normal occurrence in Scotland but not so here. So I felt as if I was in Aberdeen again for a bit, seeing the frosted tree tops and white roadsides flash by as I drove in. Of course, the (relatively) small bit of snow we got here is as nothing compared to a good Scottish winter. Although I was amused by one of the road-signs this morning: “ICY CONDITIONS. SNOW EXISTS. DRIVE WITH CAUTION.” Oh Houston. And yes, people in Houston really don’t understand snow. I was driving behind one person who had a blanket of snow entirely covering their rear windscreen. Um? Guess they didn’t feel like wiping it off before driving?? I put a good distance between them and I!!

Still – as fun as a small bit of snow is here…it’s nothing compared to driving in blizzard conditions down the A90. I don’t know if I miss that or not. Right now, yes. But if I was back in Scotland, I’d say no and that all snow should go away. Even though on a proper day – snow is wonderful. John texted me this morning from Aberdeen and notified me that it had snowed there too overnight! He sent me some pics from Calsayseat…scenes I’d seen many times before – grey and white everywhere. He also reminded me of our fun sledging adventure…sadly, that is almost impossible here in Houston – firstly, not enough snow. Secondly, not enough hills(or any?). I do miss John and wish we could recreate our winter fun day again!!

Also been texting with Chris – and since he and Jo and Lily are now in the south of England, it is warmer there than it is here. Definitely no snow there! I take some pride in the fact that it’s colder here. I also would be proud that as I was out and about this morning, I didn’t feel cold at all – didn’t even have my good wool coat(my “Scotland” coat as I like to think of it) zippered up. But I cannot take pride because I know the secret to staying warm – it is wearing long underwear. And since I’m wearing that, I can’t boast in my cold tolerance. But I can say I am very toasty and it is wonderful to be nice and warm inside when it’s so briskly cold outside!! Oh and of course, I got my peppermint mocha this morning and I can say that for once it’s very proper to get this drink since there is actual snow on the ground – and what drink goes better with snow than a peppermint mocha? Well, maybe a peppermint hot chocolate but it is early and caffeine. Y’know. Also saw Katie at Starbucks and she was super excited about the snow here too!! It is so fun how the snow puts us all in such good moods here in Houston…

Just one more note on the snow since I can and since it will melt soon and since we probably won’t get snow here in Houston for another eight years…so I must take advantage of it. The sight of snow really does cause so many Scotland memories to come flooding back…so many times walking into town with the crunch of snow underneath my boots and flurries of snow past my ears. Good memories because they’re associated with good friends and God’s goodness to me. Abounding in faithfulness, always.

Farewell, dear friends – peace and love and warmth and joy!