What’s that sound outside my window?

A familiar rhythmic scraping sound penetrated my dreams. It kept going on and on: “What the heck is it?”

Are the stockings hung by the chimney with care? Nah. There are stockings hanging around here but not with care! I roll over. My alarm hasn’t even gone off to start my on again – off again -snooze button game!

Then I recognize the sound! Sidewalks are being shoveled. It must have snowed overnight. There have been big snowstorms all over the East Coast and Midwest. We missed the first dump. We got some insignificant dusting but nothing to fret over. But by the sounds of the shoveling outside my window, I know we got something! I’m almost afraid to look. Obviously, I haven’t kept up with the weather forecasts.

It’s funny how after thirty years in Chicago, I still hope that the snow will avoid us somehow – “this winter.” It’s ridiculous. I don’t hate Winter. It’s kinda like everything else that doesn’t kill you – you just get through it. I have friends who have fled Chicago and its notorious Winters. No punk bitches here. I pride myself on surviving Winters in Chicago:
Oh puh-lease! You think it’s cold? You oughta live in Chicago.

I go to my home office. I look out the window. Yep! It’s a Winter Wonderland outside. As I look through the french doors off my office I realize that it’s kinda picturesque. I can see my neighbor’s Holiday wreath over their front entrance across the street. And I feel all cheerful inside!! I remember the three holiday parties I trekked to on Sunday – each one like a lover – totally satisfying and totally different. Yeah, they were some great parties.

I’m going to start off this day that way – cheerful!! It’s almost Christmas. And I am about to perform (with the Shivers) some holiday music downtown in a high rise lobby during the lunch hour. I better get moving!