If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, . . . we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world. —C. S. Lewis Mere Christianity

I don’t know if I have ever been a place of deeper solitude than this. Silence surrounded me, and I was sure if only for a moment, I was the only person on the face of this earth.

All day long, we had been singing “Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go.” Then we turned a corner and saw this scene and suddenly we felt as though we had reached a very warm destination—a destination as warm and welcoming as any grandma’s house.

A late afternoon drive beside the Allegheny River led to this photo. The snow had stopped, but there is more on the way. I’m almost ready to return to Cocoa Joy and warmer weather. I talked with her trainer at Dog School 101 today and learned that she is being quite the big sister to Chip—protecting him and not allowing a pushing Yorkie to control his every step! Precious. Oh, I need a dog hug!!

I took this photo last week before the snow “hit.” It could have been taken on a spring day. But with the wind and the “chill-factor,” it was far from that!