Of course, the storm didn’t amount to much but we didn’t know that at the time. We expected it to be as fearsome as the weatherman predicted but it actually turned into three paid days off and a nice little break in our day-to-day routine. We got to spend time together reading, snoozing, and getting on each other’s nerves.

Before the storm struck and it looked like we might actually be stuck inside for several days, we went to the video store to stock up. Of course, most of South Austin had the same idea, the difference being that they had it first. By the time we got there, our choices were a 1976-vintage driver’s ed training film and an Adam Sandler movie. A bit of advice here: if you’re ever faced with this choice, go with the training film; watching it will lower your insurance rates. The only thing Adam Sandler will lower is your IQ.

Of course, no matter what I had rented, I would have wanted something else. If I had picked a drama, I would have wanted a comedy. Conversely, if I had chosen a comedy, then I would have wanted a western. And if I had brought home anything starring Jack Black, I would have wanted God to strike me blind.

We eventually got tired of watching movies and decided to go for a walk in the short-lived winter wonderland. After 30 minutes, the cold drove us back home. Once safely ensconced in our snug little house, we made hot chocolate and warmed ourselves in front of a roaring fire. I’ll say this about Adam Sandler movies – they may not be funny but they sure do burn well.