Snow is mostly a stranger in this part of the state. We dream about it, hope for it and are usually disappointed by it's lack of appearances. But, when it comes, it reigns supreme! We've been fooled before by inaccurate forecasts and wishful thinking. This time: weather reports were spot on! A phone call alerted me to the first flakes in Danville. The Main Street live webcam which had shown clear skies and dry pavement all morning long and only moments before, now revealed large white floating flakes drifting swiftly in the camera's view. I put on my coat and left work. A generally 20 minute ride took 45 harrowing minutes to complete. The cars were covered within an hour. All afternoon the snow thickened like creamy potato soup. By nightfall the snow blew sideways and the wind howeled spitting a mix of snow and sleet in my face as I stood in the yard with the dog. The tick, tick, tick of falling ice on my window kept me informed throughout the night of the storms' progression into chaos. By Friday, our friend the sun crowned the afternoon with brightness. All hopes of the storms' passing were dashed as it revved back up Friday afternoon, spreading fear and panic. It was the storm before the calm. That last dog walk late Friday night gave me moonlight and stars and clear sky.