The weather is absolutely dreadful today. It is so dark and dreary. It was dark and rainy yesterday too. Yes, that is right--February rain. Overnight, the 2 inches of solid glare ice accumulated in my driveway is gone. It did not even go below freezing last night. And broad patches of brown grass has appeared in my yard. But today the wind won't quit, sustained at 20 mph with gusts frequently up to 45 mph. A metallic howling sound echoes down the fireplace chimney into the living room. It set the squirrels a running. Must have been about 20 of them intent on escaping to safer quarters. I watched as one after the other descended the giant old oak tree at the corner of my house, each taking the exact same path with fearful purpose on their little faces, landing with a thud onto the roof. From inside I could track the scrambling noises made diagonally to the other corner of the house, where I assumed they sought the perhaps more secure boughs of the big evergreen. This is the kind of day that just puts everyone on edge. I am looking forward to seeing the sun shine again.