Monday brought us a delightful winter surprise .. A blanket of fresh snow! Though our area only received about 3 to 4 inches, it was enough to transform the landscape into a winter wonderland. Down south near Cape May, and at my parents' home across the bay on Fenwick Island, they saw a much more dramatic snowfall, with totals reaching 10 to 12 inches. But even our modest accumulation provided plenty of fun for both me and Mr. Huxley.
After grabbing the snow blower to clear the driveway and paths .. I decided it was time for Huxley to experience his first real snowfall. Initially, he approached the whole scene with caution, lifting one paw at a time to test this strange, cold, fluffy stuff. But once he got a feel for it, his hesitation vanished. In true Huxley fashion, he plunged headfirst into the snow, running through it with an energy that only a puppy could muster.
The highlight of his adventure came .. When he spotted the neighbors’ little girl playing in her yard next door. Any pretense of calm was gone as Huxley darted over to greet his "girlfriend," circling around her as she giggled and tried to keep up with his antics. The two of them were a blur of motion, their joy visible in the crisp winter air. It was pure magic watching their innocent, unbridled fun.
After about ten minutes, I decided it was time for Huxley to come inside and warm up. His tiny frame was adorned with what I call "snowberries" — little clumps of snow stuck to his fur. We melted them away and towel-dried him until he was as good as new. Still, his puppy enthusiasm hadn’t waned. No sooner had I finished drying him than he was pawing at the door, ready for round two.
Unfortunately for Huxley, this Daddy is no puppy anymore. I need my warmth and rest these days, and I convinced him to wait a little longer before venturing back out.
As I wind down from the excitement of Huxley’s first snowy escapade .. I thought I’d share an appropriate addition to the winter theme: a coin that’s both unique and meaningful. A few years ago, I purchased a 1964 Austrian Innsbruck Winter Olympic Games silver coin (Among a few others) from a kind young lady in Oregon. She was liquidating her father’s collection to help with medical bills, and I was honored to give one of his treasures a new home.
This .900 fine silver coin features .. A ski jumper in mid-flight on the reverse, a beautiful tribute to the elegance and skill of winter sports. The obverse showcases nine shields or coats of arms, representing Austria’s rich history and heritage. It’s a neat little piece to have in my stack, and its wintery theme makes it feel especially fitting this week.
It’s been a week of simple joys and cherished memories. Here’s to more snowy adventures .. And maybe even another coin or two to add to the collection!
