When I was a kid we got up early before school to listen to KEX Radio to learn if it has snowed enough overnight to close school. The announcer ran through the list in alphabetical order. If there was a lot of snow many names were read out until he came to the r’s for Riverdale. My brother and I would be jubilant, knowing we had a day of sledding with friends ahead of us. It was worth waiting for the r’s!

To my grandson’s dismay, despite the 18” of snow that fell in the last 24 hours he is doomed by technology. Since Covid, schools have learned to use Zoom to teach remotely. While the snow beckons outside he is forced to sit at a screen. For him the saving grace of school is his group of friends—not a mischief maker among them. I feel for the whole bunch of active 16 year old boys forced to sit still, staring at a screen. I imagine one or two will find a way to prank each other nevertheless. I look forward to hearing what happens.