Pinch, punch, first of the month. I explained this game in my January 1 post, in case you haven’t a clue what I mean. I lost to my friend Ruth but got Hubby this morning. Apart from P&P competitions, we’re starting the month off quietly, compliments of the snow from yesterday.

The snow continued to come down, although mostly in spitting light drops, so no real accumulation. A quick walk after work and before the daily 5 PM Zoom with Mom was refreshingly cool. My plates arrived, too, so now just waiting for the frames from my alma mater. I had a choice of wildlife pictures and chose the red salamander because I figured most people go for the black bear and other charismatic megafauna. Many years ago on a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains near here we saw dozens of these all over the trail. Must have been party. They were beautiful, spots and all. I love underdogs, and I like knowing the extra money I paid for these will go toward conservation of the lesser-known, non-cuddly critters.