White is not a mere absence of color; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black. God paints in many colors; but He never paints so gorgeously, I had almost said so gaudily, as when He paints in white. ~G.K. Chesterton

Fierce and definate are perfect words for white. I can’t imagine snow being any other color. Our first blizzard is here. School was cancelled. Plans were cancelled. I took Beatrix to a window to see snow. She looked away, bothered by the glare. I watched the dog lop and bounce and struggle to get to her favored spots in the yard. I commend her for trying.

They say if you are ever caught in an avalanche, start swimming. A blizzard is an avalanche of the atmosphere. So we swim inside our warm house—moving, cleaning, wrapping, squabbling, eating, contemplating, reading, yawning, sipping, considering, remembering. It’s easy to give into the momemetum of the hypnotic white swirl. It’s called hybernation.

Daddy shovels, mom warms soup on the stove and butters hot dog buns. Only the baby naps.

Yes, it’s gorgeous. Paint on.

The box arrived late yesterday. I opened it today. My heart literally pounded as I sliced the tape. What could it be?

His Singer, from the blog His Unfinished Work , sent three items. All were protected from jostling by wadded Mr. Incredible gift wrap with the word “WACK!” all over it. The contents of the box included:

1. An eighteen-feet-long roll of Roll-On Self-Adhesive Easy Liner in a shade of blue I’d describe as 1970’s Disco Dolly Eyeshadow.

2. A Disco Dolly Eyeshadow blue and beige wooden key chain and mail caddy with the words Home Sweet Home arching over a red Victorian house. It is meant to look like it was bought at a church bazaar, lovingly handcarved and painted by a crafty and kind lady. A quick peek on the back of my new key caddy confirms it was Made in China.

3. Air Furniture Kid’s Chair! It too is Disco Dolly Eyeshadow Blue. A jellies-wearing girl on the boxtop is grinning ear-to-ear, enjoying a beverage on the Quality Tested Vinyl. It’s Portable, Durable, and Comfortable! It has Tough See-Through Construction and it is Easy to Inflate, Deflate, and Store. The box cautions me to keep it away from fire and people who weigh more than 132 pounds. That would include me. My children, however, are going to be absolutely thrilled with this chair. As soon as I can inflate it, I will take pictures and post.

Thank you, Megan, for hosting the blogger white elephant gift exchange. It was a lot of fun. And thank you, His Singer, for sending these three items my way.

My recipient was Martha. I sent her Mugly.