The Difference A Week Can Make

 Last Monday I took a picture of my neighbor's flowers as I walked to work. And this morning they're covered in snow. The sad thing is, our little pigeon left her nest long enough for snow to gather there, and when we looked, we found out the eggs had hatched and the chicks had died. And to make it even sadder, she came back and she's sitting on them again. As soon as she leaves, we're rebuilding the feeder and putting a back on it and turning it into a bird house. Then maybe she'll come back and we'll get a happy ending!

Welcome, March

In like a lion. Hope that means we'll go out like a lamb. All I know is I feel a bit like a polar bear right now. Why couldn't it have done this back in December. I like white Christmases. Not March so much, tho!

We're All Going To Eat Well

I've had this violet for 14 years or so, and it hasn't bloomed for a while. It's nicely decided to share its color with us during these frigid winter days. It's been a crazy week--subzero temps with snow and the promise of major nastiness tonight and tomorrow. We have been busy every day at the store-- I can't imagine that there isn't a house in this town without an overflowing pantry. Just how much milk and bread does everyone need? But my boss is happy.

I Know the Beauty Is There, I Just Can't See It Right Now

We got our first real snow of the winter. Personally, I could have done without it. I like snow in December, then I'm just ready for spring. I suffer from sun-deprivation depression, so this time of the year I just count the days and watch for the sun to get a bit closer. I wish I could say I appreciate the beauty of it, but I just see a cold walk to work (only 3 blocks, thank goodness) and a hassle trying to do anything that needs done outside of the walls of my house. Even taking the trash to the curb for pickup. Maybe that just means I'm getting old!

Morning Coffee

Jinx finally got to go outside and run around (the rain melted almost all of the foot deep snow) until he came in, exhausted. It's amazing the positions cats get in, all twisted around. He slept all afternoon!
(yes, that's a box with a piece of carpet on in-- so he can look out the window in comfort.)

The Sun Rises on a Brighter Day!

We have water! The plumbers got here yesterday afternoon and it was an easy fix. My husband said he got done in less than an hour. While one plumber was under the house fixing the problem the other one was in the drive way, getting his truck unstuck! We have a narrow drive way and he slid off of it. Anyway, got home from work and was able to take a hot shower. Best shower of my life! It's supposed to get warmer today, maybe into the low 40s (heat wave!) with rain. My concern is the fact that there is no where for it to go. Somehow, I don't think the City crew is going to drive around this morning digging out the sewer drains. I had almost hoped to wake up to freezing rain and use it as an excuse to not show up to work. I could use a day off--such a long week!

Just for a taste of the fun we've been having, I'm sharing this video. I think you have to go to YouTube to watch it. The last 30 seconds or so are our stretch of road. People have talked about the "Snow of '82" for years (18" that year) but I think this is worse, just because of the colder temps.

Wonderful Winter Weather

When I walked into work yesterday, my boss looked surprised. The head meat-cutter, the only other person there except for the boss' son, told me no one else showed up and they didn't expect me, either. I live 3 blocks away, for heavens sake. I was going to show up. To be honest, I was a bit pissed. If they didn't want me, they should have called! How was I to assume that he would assume I wasn't coming?  The store was sold out of milk, and bread, and eggs, and assorted other staples. I've never seen the shelves that empty, and there is no guarantee we'll get any today. So I worked 3 hours then they sent me home because they closed early. I could have used one of my personal days, now I'm just going to have a short check. Oh, well. So anyway, I'm going to bundle up and do it again this morning (unless he calls. Surely, he'll call this time). It's 13 below right now. It's going to be an ice-cream headache the whole way! My husband's home again. He works 15 miles away and we still can't get the car out of the garage. Hopefully, things will be better tomorrow!

Because the Stupid People Need Those Cigarettes!

I haven't heard anything official, but I'm guessing we got close to a foot of snow yesterday. The drift is bad and the temps are sub-zero. The authorities have declared most of the roads closed and dangerous. I live three blocks from work, so I'm sure here in another hour or two I'll be trekking my way to the store--most of my fellow employees live in the next town over or in the country so we'll be working with a skeleton crew. Ideally, we wouldn't even open because people shouldn't be out! But, and I know this from experience, I'll have customers come in for one thing. Milk, a loaf of bread (I'm sure we're out of both) or a pack of cigarettes. It's not so much that they need them but they simply have this itch to challenge the elements. Not me--I'd be quite happy to stay in! I'm holding on to the tiniest flicker of hope that my boss calls and tells me to stay home. (Not going to happen, but a girl can dream!)

Morning Coffee

I wish I could have gotten a better picture, but my husband started talking to him and that was the end of that-no more poses. Besides, it's so bright outside, maybe a picture without glare wasn't going to happen, anyway! Poor Jinx is so confused. He wants to go outside, he walks around making little meow noises and walks to the door. Then he sits on the porch looking out at the snow for a few minutes before he wants back in. And then we do it all again!

Dreaming of Warmer Days

I'm stuck inside today, loads of snow coming down. It's beautiful and the temperature is hoovering right at freezing with no wind. It would be a great time to go for a walk, before the arctic cold moves in. The son has already been out once already. It's been years since I've taken a walk in the snow. But... I tend to fall and break things, so the best thing for me to do is stay inside and admire it through the window. I did go stand on my deck and bask in the peace of it earlier. Anyway, as pretty as it is, I'm already looking forward to Spring. I planned on planting an herb garden last Summer but that didn't happen. My resolution (for lack of a better word) is to make it happen this year. I love fresh herbs, and saving bees is an added plus!

My Life The Last Two Days!

You would think we live high in the mountains where snow means being stuck for weeks. Instead, we live in an area where, even at it's worst, the snow plows do a pretty good job. The last time I got snowed in and couldn't get the car out for a week was in 1982. But people totally freak out. Our forecast calls for (maybe) a few inches of snow over the next few days. The bigger threat is ice, and I think if that was going to happen it would have happened this morning. It didn't. I was stuck standing at the register all day today. I don't do well standing in one spot--I'm a bit fidgety and need to move around. Hopefully tomorrow everyone will have calmed down. Fingers crossed! Stay safe and warm, where ever you are!

Persimmon Prognosticator

In the Fall I split some persimmons and they showed spoons, which, according to local lore, means lots of snow. Well, there has been a good amount of snow across the country over the Winter, and we, ourselves, have had quite a few days with snow, but we've had very little accumulation. Until now. When we're all ready for Spring. The seeds didn't say where or when so I guess I'm going to say the seeds predicted right. From now on, I will trust the seeds over the groundhogs!

There's No Place Like Home

We made it home Wednesday afternoon, a day ahead of schedule. The original plan was to spend the day in Denver at the hospital because both my brother and sister-in-law needed to go into work for awhile, so we were going to take the shift. But. My niece had a bad night Monday and into Tuesday morning, so tests were ordered and my sister-in-law called and told work she wouldn't be there. We spent the morning at the hospital, but with the weather reports coming in, we decided it might be best to head home. It was hard on Mom. I know she wanted to stay. But she has back trouble and this trip was not kind to her. My niece's recovery is going to be long--there is no way Mom could stay the whole time. Maybe 10 years ago, but her health just isn't up to it anymore. There have been times in the past when they were going through rough times and Mom went and stayed and helped around the house and took care of the other kids, but she just can't, anymore. The spirit is willing, but the body just can't do it. It hurts to see her like this. She was always so strong and active. I almost think it's harder for my brother to see her like this because he only sees her once or twice a year, whereas I have seen her gradually going down-hill.

Anyway, the whole point of this, before I got off track, was that we left just a few hours ahead of "Winter Storm Q". We stopped for the night in the middle of Kansas, got up early (with some nudging from me) and got back on the road. If we had stuck to our original plan to leave Wednesday we would probably just be getting started. As much as I wanted to be there, it's good to be home!

Morning Coffee

Roscoe, our resident wanderer, wanted out 2 1/2 weeks ago and didn't come back. He has disappeared on us before, but never for more than a week. We were having frigidly cold weather at the time and we've had a few small snows, nothing that was worth measuring, but enough that I would think any creature of intelligence would want to be in and warm. We hoped, because he is such a friendly cat, that someone had taken him in. But he is wearing a collar, so we feared the worse. We got up this morning and there he sat in the hall-way in front of our son's door. He must have showed up after we went to bed. I'm surprised he didn't come in and jump on our bed. He has followed us around all morning, "talking". I'm sure he has been telling us his story. Wish I understood feline. Now he is sacked out on the husband's lap. He's a bit thinner, but otherwise seems no worse for the wear. After a week of bad news, this is quite welcome!

We got more snow on top of the ice. I want sun on my face. I want to till and hoe and pull weeds. I want to feel the dirt between my toes. I want green!

It Snowed!...Again

Weather moves in cycles, or so I read. It seemed when I was young we had real winters with snow deep enough to go sledding and build snowmen and igloos--igloos that lasted for weeks. I remember bundling up and playing in the snow for hours. It was cold, but not frigid. And Spring came when it was supposed too--March, maybe April if we had a long winter, like the year I graduated and we went to school into June because we had missed so many days. But since I've had my kids we have had few winters where there was more than an inch or so, and rarely more than once or twice a winter. In fact, we've had such warm winters on occasion, I've had flowers coming up in February. Yesterday we had our third measurable snow and it's only the middle of January. The forecast shows more coming, if you can believe the forecasts! Somehow, I'm just not prepared! I don't have any snow boots or long-johns anymore. I don't even have a good winter coat. I guess with all of the mild winters I haven't replaced anything as they have worn out. I would eventually love to move to Florida to be close to some friends and family but I will probably stay in Illinois for the rest of my life. Maybe I should start watching the post-winter sales, maybe I can get some cold-weather gear for next year! The thing I find funny is the fact that my brother who lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming is having better weather than we are!

Weekend Plans

I've heard dire predictions of snow all week and it finally got here, but luck was on our side again, and we didn't get very much. It's pretty, but really wet and sloppy. The last snow we had was really dry--no shovels required. A broom was enough to do the trick! Anyway, I have every intention to stay in today. I just got the new Dr.Who/CompleteSpecials box set and I plan on doing a bit of a movie marathon this afternoon and tomorrow! I've been a Dr. Who fan since I was a young teen, so the new seasons have been a high point for me the last few years. Thank goodness Syfy showed Seasons 1-4 because we don't get BBC America on our cable. But they didn't show the Specials from this last year and I had to wait until they came out on DVD. Well, the time has arrived! Thank goodness for the snow and a reason to stay home this weekend!

Winter Wonderland

We seemed to get some good snows when I was a kid. In fact, my High School Graduation was held two weeks later then normal because we had so much snow that year that we missed about 3 weeks of school. My kids have never seen a winter like we saw in the 70's and early 80's. In fact, I just realized recently that they have never been sledding. How sad! Well, last week they got a little taste of it. I believe this is the most snow we've had since we moved to this house, and that will be 10 years come September. It's true that 10 years ago during the first of January we got a good amount, but that was also with freezing rain on top of it. Not good to play in. Unfortunately, both kids are old enough now it was more of an inconvenience (trying to dig the car out!) than it was fun. But the school called two snow days, so my son thought it was a wonderful thing!