It’s so quiet this morning. Snow fell Sunday night and left a soft cover everywhere:  sidewalks, tree branches, rooftops, and cars. Rain and warmer temperatures are expected to wash it away so no one is shoveling, and there are no snow ploughs on the street (they’re not really needed).

It’s "snow day lite" and there are just a small number of foot prints on Third Street.

Snow or no snow, the Slope would be quiet anyway The public school kids have a week’s vacation and the private school kids have Monday and Tueday off. People who can are on vacation — off to Caribbean beaches, slopes in Vermont, long lines at Disney World in Orlando. Those with the extra moolah can use vacation time as an opportunity to escape this slushy season that just trudges on.

Even the kids upstairs who are usually up early playing extreme tag over our bedroom seem to be sleeping. Or maybe they’re at the beach.

But who needs the beach? It’s quiet in the slope and the children are sleeping.  I’m up early and alone in our dining room with my iBook, my coffee, and a bowl of Medley cereal. This is vacation enough for me.