Frank reports that was rainy. Well I can report that it was once again snowy. We had a delayed opening at 11 am. That gave me just enough time to shovel out and rake off the roof. I did make it over to the honors college due to the delay. We did have our 4 hour planting design studio. Then after that it was on to Hampshire College for the meeting about the river grant. I had been invited to be part of the planning meetings to brainstorm ideas and draft of the proposal during the summer. I had recommended my current colleague Frank to be a part of this. Now he is the main organizer. Not sure what role I will have. Maybe my work there is done. Things have a way of working out for the best in the long run. I tested a recipe for a late dinner and have to write up the review for the website. It is so nice to feel clear support through that venue. It does provide a feeling of happy sanity.

Frank took his wife shopping in Springfield today for linens. Weather was warm and sunny. Yesterday I was down that way to appear on a local TV show. But we are experiencing very cold weather. The ice and snow were really terrible this week. I am redesigning my junior year writing course. It will meet for the first time this afternoon. Weather was so bad Tuesday that the university was shut down by afternoon. In the late afternoon my retired colleague Julius spoke about his new book “Son of Kulak,” his Hungarian life. What a great talk! Now to get my book on track by summer, let’s hope. Work is unrelentingly busy. In the evening I helped host a dinner for the high school swim team. They happily wolfed down 7 loaves of garlic bread and tons of pasta.

Frank had a four hour class today. Interesting that I, too, had a four hour afternoon class today. In the morning I was also featured on a local TV show-http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/mass_appeal/taste/spiced-latkes

Frank seemed to go to Northampton regularly for osteopathy. He doesn’t mention the weather, so it probably was not significant. Today we are braving another snow storm, but so far our classes are not canceled. It is always hectic at the beginning of the semester and bad weather just contributes to the mix.

With Frank and Alice’s youngest turning 7 today, Frank writes that he feels old and lonely. He and Alice do downtown to buy Sidney a sweater for his birthday. My son is now 24 living on his own in the next state. It seems like yesterday that he was just 7.

Frank notes that although it is cold and wintry, they have no snow! He walks downtown from his home, which was right on campus next to Wilder Hall, to get both a shave and a massage. We still have two feet of snow on the ground. I would love to go for a massage. Instead I am preparing for the new semester.

A slow weekend for Frank and his family. His second oldest son Frederick has tonsillitis. I managed to drive into New York City to collect my work from two shows there. My dear friend Vernita hosted me last night. I think the invitation to join the Viridian Gallery in Chelsea will be very inspiring to get some new work organized for shows next year. Very motivating.

The Kappa Sigma banquet was on Frank’s agenda. Today is a busy day with more snow clean up here.

Frank managed to see his doctor in the morning with a four hour class in the afternoon. Jarvis from UConn visited briefly. Today schools are closed down with the biggest snowfall in recent history. Scratch that trip to NYC. I will be lucky to get shoveled out by tomorrow. No plowfriends anywhere to be found.

Frank is back to his busy routine. Today I met with one colleague and had coffee with a graduate student as well. She expressed interest in helping with the Waugh project as an independent study. Yay! Our classes will begin next week.