KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

I love the day after a snowstorm. The sun is shining bright, the sky is that perfect blue, and the snow is as white as can be. I looked out at the bird feeder to see the male cardinal sitting there, his red color was brighter than ever against the snow. Welcome to New England.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Hiram Henry, who celebrated his day Dec. 21; Carolyn Duarte, Dec. 22; Anna Keenan, Dec. 23; Zachary Vukota, Dec. 24; and to Katherine Dourian and Zachary Wannamaker, who celebrate their day today, Dec. 25.

Special wishes go out to Stephen Perry, who celebrated his 21st birthday Dec. 24.

I am sure we all have great tales to tell about the storm. We had no power, so we went back to pioneer times when we got out the oil lamps and started the fireplace for heat. The pioneer spirit lasted about an hour, then we found ourselves trying to figure out how we were going to have coffee and cook some breakfast, how we were going to cook the kale soup and how we were going to bake the cookies after making the dough the day before. However, after five hours of pioneering we heard the beep of the microwave signaling that the power was back on. It was fun living in the past for a few hours, but we were also happy to have modern times back.

Sons and daughters are returning home for the holidays. Zack Waller is among them, as he returned home on Saturday night just before the storm hit hard.

Mom Pat has told us he is home for a week or so before he heads to Guatemala with some classmates from Cornell on a scholarship to volunteer for a week.

I am sure there are those of you who are traveling to family in the next few days, so I wish you happy and safe traveling.

I would like to wish you and your family all a very happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

I would also like to thank everyone for sharing your special occasions with me to share with others and also for your comments and support for this column. I look forward to another great year with you.

Merry Christmas to you all. Have a great week, and keep the home candles burning.