It is, indeed, the safety of our children that is paramount on these icy, cold, snowy days, not to mention that of the folks who need to get to school to make their education happen. So I understand the reason for snow days, or should I say snow "daze.'' But, truly, this is one incredible winter. AND I'VE HAD IT! And I'm even a lover of the season.

The school delays, school closings, delays that morph into closings have finally won. I dream about shoveling; I rarely know what day of the week it is. School cancellation lists scroll endlessly through my head, much like the commercial jingles you can't stop humming. A seven-day forecast suggesting a storm of any sort puts me into a panic. I no longer have the stamina to adjust and readjust and readjust school days and activity schedules and doctors' appointments. And trying to do it all while getting to work is pushing me to the edge of the snow drift. Even I have my limits, and they've cracked beneath my snow-filled pumps.

So I am flying the white snowy flag of surrender and most parents I know -- many complaining of fighting kids and lack of regimen -- will happily help to hoist it up the pole.

Still, there is hope in the day: Prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring! No, I don't typically get my weather reports from a woodchuck but I'll make an exception in this case. And I'll do it with the same fervor with which I'll ignore the prediction of our more local Octorara Orphie, who says winter's going to stick around for six more weeks. Give me the good-news groundhog!