Two-Hour Delay

The scene this morning — heavy, wet, sticky snow that squishes when you walk on it. The 5:00 a.m. text from the school saying there's a two-hour delay tricks you into feeling you get to sleep in before the real alarm goes off. Any day that's made for pictures even after sleeping in can't be that bad.

Carousel

This week the kids are on winter recess from school, and we spent one of our afternoons at the New York State Museum. I like that we've been going regularly enough for them to remember the Cohoes mastodon and other exhibits.

Once the museum wears them out and they start laying on the floor, they regain their strength for their favorite part, several rides on the 100-year-old carousel.

Photo Op

Me demonstrating proper wedding photography technique yesterday afternoon at the Photography merit badge.

In the morning I taught the Computers merit badge — count 'em 17 Boy Scouts showed up (it's winter recess and school's out all week). With a giant grilled cheese lunch in the middle it was a totally great day off. Thanks for helping, Michelle Brimhall, Cindy Bringhurst, Andrea Smith!

Here are the two photos I'm showing them on the projector when I lay down on the floor, you decide which you like better.

How to Get Kids to Stand Still

Friday night I did a photography class with the West Glenville 4-H club, which ended up with light painting. Starting with a dark room, all light came from a $1 pack of glow sticks and two $1 flashlights from the Target bargain bin. Everybody had to hold still and make no noise for 20 seconds — I'm going to remember this trick.

Weirdest Valentine's Boomerang

This is the second Valentine's Day I've made sour cream cookies with fluffy pink frosting for the two little old ladies who live downstairs from me, along with a few lucky others (who may be identified by the fluffy pink frosting on the corners of their mouths).

Sometimes when you get your treat plates back, there's a treat on there for you. That was the case tonight ... I got a plate back with frozen sea bass. And really, what better way to say: "Your love reminds me of a cold, dead fish"?

Actually, I grew up 2,000 feet from the ocean, and I'm a big fan of seafood, so this is the perfect gift for me. Bonus points for creativity. And for giving me this story about my weirdest Valentine's Day gift ever.