New Experiences

If you follow me on Facebook, you have already heard me tell about the warm welcome we have gotten here in Connecticut...in fact, just this morning some snowfall record was broken in our honor.

Needless to say, it's been a little chilly around here. This week, I experienced negative temperatures for the first time ever in my life. Chalk today up as another new experience day too because I drove in the snow and mess for the first time ever.

For the last couple of weeks it seems any plans penciled into our calendar have been canceled due to the snow. Last week, Alex was supposed to begin a drama class with a local theater group. But the opening class? Closed because of last week's blizzard. In spite of the snow this morning, however, the class was scheduled to go on.

I knew I couldn't hole up in the house again and have her miss her first class just because I'm a little scared to drive in these conditions. On the other hand, as I willed the mini-van to make a left turn smoothly and quickly enough to miss oncoming traffic, I wondered aloud if risking the children's and my life was worth a drama class.

We made it without incident, albeit a bit tardy, but even her teacher was not yet there when we arrived. All total, our 25 minute commute there took us about 50 minutes. And then I had to turn around and take the same route back home. Another 40-50 minutes. Which didn't leave a whole lot of time for school for the boys and Audrey, but we squeezed it in.

And during that time, the snow stopped, the sun came out, and the salt started melting the snow off the streets. I'll say one thing for these Connecticutans Connecticutians Connecticutters people who live in Connecticut: they know how to clear a road fast. I allowed for 45 minutes for the trip back to the theater to pick Alex up.

It took 25 minutes.

So we waited in the car. The kids enjoyed a few moments to play their video games, and I enjoyed a few moments with my camera:







Have I mentioned that I don't grow tired of New England architecture?

You Capture - Doors

Down south, there is a church on every corner. While churches are not so numerous up here, the few you can find are beautiful.













One of the first things my oldest daughter noticed when we moved up here were all of the cemeteries. She wanted to know why there are so many more up here than in the south. I had to just tell her the truth: The northerners kinda had a head start on dying! Personally, I find them all to be so beautiful...and to imagine the amazing stories each family represented by each headstone has to tell!

This is one of a few cemeteries near us:



I love the architecture of the chapel/office on the cemetery site:



I don't think I'll ever grow bored with the architecture up here in New England.

Of course, one thing that doesn't overly impress me, architecturally speaking anyway, is this particular part of our rental home:



Yes, that's a door up there. Off the second floor. With no stairway. Don't ask. Because I really don't know.