As it was, we had enough for the winter with a comfortable margin.We had finally settled down into our usual routines when mother nature pulled a rabb...t out of her hat.Snow comes early in the high country. It comes early and stays long. Without warning, we were hit with a blizzard. Overnight a good foot and a half came down. We usually weren’t concerned. Our woodpile was stacked and packed. The critters had plenty of feed, and so did we. The next morning, after breakfast, I spent most of my. She was proud of the help she had brought to many women. But now she was focused on her dogs and the need they currently shared. Being gone for three days again was turning emotional. Their decision was made and there would be some interesting times ahead but the knowledge of having Joe and the boys kept everything steady and manageable.They used an extra-large run for them when they would be away for a few days. It provided them with plenty of room to be together, had their beds and toys and. None of them spoke, they just watched us, and I couldn't tell if the stares were hostile, hopeful, or just curious.Finally we were led to a large, open room that had been breached by nature in multiple places. Roots projected through the ceiling, and a few trees even grew in drifts of dirt that had collected in the rubble. Sylvans, I remembered, though I hoped we wouldn't have to learn that the hard way. We were ushered into the centre of the room, surrounded by huge, furred, growling. "Now, I'm not condoning you looking up little girls' skirts. And you mustn't do that, by the way. I don't know if you did or not, of course," she agonized. "Did you?"I shook my head."Well ... I know boys are curious ... you know, at your age... " She stared out the window a moment."Try to not ... get me called down to school anymore, O.K?" She tousled my hair and pulled me close and I knew the lecture was over. She wasn't sure I had done it and wasn't sure what to do with me if I had."So when.