All night and all morning and all afternoon it snowed. We meditated through the sounds of snow plows coming up the hills and around the hall where we sat. Deep in my breathing, the rumbling truck sounded to me sometimes like a bowling ball rolling down the lane, spinning its way toward the pins.

The snow was gentle and steady, with bright clouds behind. Six inches gathered, then seven, and Jack said it was as if the world around were saying to us all, "Relax. You are here. This is a good time to not be busy. Here is your chance to take a seat in the midst of it all and deepen your practice. Besides, no one can find you!"