Along with a fierce wind and deepening cold. The birds are chewing through seed at a prodigious rate.

A neighborhood confab this morning as everyone was out clearing drives and walks. I managed to get the blower going just as work was finishing up—this machine requires patience first try after lying idle most of a year.

Over to Nik's this evening for dinner with Nik, Der, Ru, and Jeremy. Good converstation and good food.

Continuing the clarinet practice, although it is turning out to be slower and more painful than anticipated. The bars below gave me a lot of trouble at first, but I think I've finally mastered them, so progress is being made.