Jeff Ingerle of Cheyenne, Wyoming was a visitor of his mom, Coleen Ingerle, from Monday, December 19th until Tuesday afternoon, December 20th. Julie Spilinek hosted a family Christmas Eve supper at the Elba Community Center that was attended by Nathan and Candace Stenka and children of Doniphan, Thomas Spilinek and Alex Calleros of Arcadia, Ryker and Ronan Houdek of Farwell, Devanee Spilinek and Caleb Carlson of Kearney, Jason and Tonya Spilinek, Danica and Liam of Grand Island, Tami Stenka, Michelle Stenka and Brandon Berney and children, Ed Spilinek, Russ and Missy Spilinek and Brady, and Matt and Amelia Retzlaff and family.

I felt like a fool. A tired fool no less.

As of Friday morning, the river readings are still “ice.” Maybe, with warmer weather for a few days, the river flow will open, without causing too many ice jams. With an aerator installed in our large pond, there is open water; with open water, the geese will come.

When I was growing up in northwest Merrick County, there were a few hallmarks of snow days that, to this day, I still envy my ten-year-old self for having the chance to enjoy.

Sure, primary among those staples of snowy winter days was the fact that my siblings and I didn’t have to go to school. However, second best was that we could spend the day at home, in front of a roaring fireplace, while doing whatever it was that we wanted to do.

It did not surprise me that the river readings Friday morning are “Ice.” There is some open water flowing down the river, but not much. I do feel for the livestock that have to be out in this cold.