Kingston, R.I. hadn't seen much snow this winter. In fact, the local flavor had commented that it surely had been the mildest they'd experienced since the great Hessian snow storm of 1778 when so many Hessian soldiers died of cold and exposure. Some seemed to intend that it was all because of pollution and w armer temperatures. Some even went as far to infer a sort of deicide, the Good Ixird was warming Himself up for the big day. Apparently, even his images, as they thought themselves to be, pulled no weight in heavenly circles. Despite the local flatulency, the snows did come and they blanketed our fair little town with all its splendiforous w hite-wash. Indeed, it really seemed to clean the place up a bit. -Along with its flawless camouflage, it seemed to settle folks into a peaceful day. But Nature herself, the w oman mother, is a fearful force to deal with. I knew her name when I was a young child, and partially remember it now She nursed me in the fields and nurtured me in the woods. .
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