"come in" she said "I'll give you shelter from the cold"

her driveway is shoveled
her side walk clear
... and salted
the table set with the great aunt's simply elegant
gold trimmed china, which traveled, by the way in Conestoga wagon across the plains of Iowa...
my favorite white bridal spray roses are at our places...
in our very own tea cups...
 to keep!
the buffet is laden with delicious fare
and the house still decorated with all the traditions of Christmas

beauty for the eyes
food for the body
warmth for this below freezing day

but all of it inconsequential

I would have trudged thru all the snow of the day, as one in our company did!?!?
and settled for warming our empty hands around a bon-fire
just to be in the comfortable presence
of these my women friends