Snow day...again!

Since last Thursday, the local weather forecasters have been in a frenzy, predicting almost a blizzard for most of the South. Of course, relatively speaking, what qualifies as a blizzard here is any snowfall over a couple inches. Or sleet/ice on top of it.

All the grocery stores were emptied out of milk, bread, other essentials, depending on what you consider necessities. In my case, I always keep "scary disaster" stuff on hand -- can beans, other non-perishable food, water, batteries, hand-crank shortwave AM/FM radio, etc. What I did need was pet supplies -- cat litter for my two indoor cats, plenty of food for them as well as the outside strays. And dog food, chew treats so the dogs could work out their frustration at being housed up with serious chewing!

(As an aside: How I LOVE to watch a dog with a bone or chew treat; the look of pure bliss and contentment as they chew reminds me of a baby with a pacifier. Wish adults could find that in such a simple way!)

Anyway, back to preparations: I also went to the library and loaded up with some good novels, just in case the power goes off. I found a new Thomas H. Cook novel, "The Fate of Katherine Carr." If you've never read Cook, you should start now: He writes the most haunting mystery/crime stories, glorious prose that will cause you to pause and savor the evocative sentences. I could reread his novels for the sheer beauty of poetic prose. He's also a master of the classic "mind-game" or "puzzle" mystery, yet creates a depth of character and setting (usually the South) that leaves you remembering the story long after you put his books down. A MASTER STORY-TELLER! Enough of that though; I rarely praise any modern prose author, the true artists are so few and far between these days.

At any rate, for once it seems the forecasters were correct: The sleet started about dark last night, then switched over to snow. I heard snow thunder also, which I don't think I've EVER heard in my life -- scary strange! It snowed all night but had stopped this morning when I wakened to about 10 inches on the ground! A crust of ice was over the top, which made a crunching sound when you stepped on it.

Rambo had a fit; he was scared to death of the snow, probably due to the crunching sound when he stepped on it and then his feet falling through to the ground. He ran back in the house, then to the front door, begging to be let out. Perhaps he thought the white stuff wasn't in the front yard!? It was hilarious when I opened the door and he looked out to see MORE snow piled on the porch!

Eventually I had to shovel out a path so Rambo & Oscar could get out to do their business. After that brief trip outside, they have been sleeping; Oscar retreated to his crate, and I've not seen him since early morning! Rambo is on my lap -- I've learned how to type around him. (I know, I know...if someone had told me a few years ago I'd have a dog attached to me like Velcro I would have laughed hysterically. Always had cats, all my life...but never under-estimate the allure and addiction of a dog!)

I did get out early this morning and take some pictures. Then I cooked a big batch of vegetable soup, which was yummy. The house is warm, the soup made it smell wonderful, and now I'm about to work on my memoir. Life is good.

The only issue I have now is that I'm still waiting for my new insurance card, then I can get a complete medical checkup. However, the swollen lymph node seems to hardly be visible anymore. I really think it was a reaction to that triple-flu shot. We shall see, I suppose.

Have no idea when the streets will be safe to travel. At this time, there's predictions for a bit more snow tonight. Then tomorrow it'll only be in the low 30s, teens at night...so not much snow will melt, but what does will refreeze at night. Most of the week is supposed to be the same, but with sun returning Wednesday -- which may get life back to normal (everything has closed, schools, local government offices, etc.)

And now, without further ado, here's the photos (click for larger photo):

Across my front yard, looking up the street

Looking in the opposite direction from front of my house. The tire tracks on the street are from a 4-wheeler a kid drove up and down the street very early

My back yard, with snow drifts against the fence.

And lastly, the soup I had for lunch:



With that, I'm outta here.

2010: Year End Reflections

I'm sitting on my back porch in balmy 60 degree weather, enjoying the sunny breeze, typing on my QuickPad. Just this past weekend, snow was on the ground and temperatures hovered at near 18 degrees. Welcome to climate change, or for the disbelieving, unwashed masses, just the normal ups/downs of weather.

Earlier I took the dogs on another long walk, and enjoyed the weather. Rain on the way tomorrow. I've been taking extra long walks with the dogs in order to lose two pounds I gained from Christmas food indulgence! As of this morning, I'm almost there!

At any rate, I wanted to write a year's end summary about 2010, making note of the more significant events in my life. It was a peaceful year, uneventful in some ways, but I did make it through - and at my age, 59, that in itself is an accomplishment. So many never live to see my age, therefore each day is a small miracle.

This past year started with me being back in my house where DH & I lived for 25 years; I was very happy to be back home. And I still am.

A brief list of home-related tasks this year:

1. I did my own lawn care with a battery-operated Neuton lawnmower. No small feat when you consider I'd never mowed a yard while DH was alive. I even managed to rake tons of leaves, cart them to the curb in a wheelbarrow. I only hope I have the stamina to do that next year, since I saved money by not having to hire it done.

2. I had drainage ditches put in to keep the rainfall ruining my carport and had the sidewalk/front entryway improved. Had a nice garden-like shrubbery spot to enhance the front.

3. In the Fall, I had gutters removed, trim work done on one side of the house to improve drainage and eliminate gutter cleaning. Also had new doors put on the garage, some electrical work done in there so I could use the space for the stray cats to eat/sleep through winter months.

4. Rounding out the year in home improvement, I had a new central heat/air system installed with a ten-year warranty (labor & parts). Long overdue as the other system was getting very old.

5. In spring, I wasn't sure I'd be able to sell my other house, so I dropped my medical insurance due to income decrease (losing the rental income). I hoped if the house sold I could use a portion of the money for the pre-existing medical insurance via the new federal program for my state. It was a very loooooooong six months, but luckily I did sell my house and should be getting my insurance card this week. It's expensive: $583.00 per month with a $2,000.00 deductible but at my age, it's sheer folly to be without insurance (especially if you have savings/assets/investments/annuity to protect).

5. In October, I had the triple-flu vaccination, and within two weeks, noticed a swollen lymph node under my arm. It is still there, though decreasing, was never large. I haven't had it checked out due to being without medical insurance and the prohibitive costs of testing. I hope to get that checked next week. I still think it had to do with the flu shot, since I've learned others have had that side effect. But I'm not sure, so I must get it seen by a doctor. I haven't felt ill, other than a brief bout of nausea just about the time I noticed the swelling - two weeks after the flu shot. Otherwise, I feel fine.

6. For Christmas, I bought a Roku and joined Netflix. I'm loving the movies, and may cut back some of the channels I get via cable, saving money.

So those are the main points I want to remember for 2010, a reference for my journal if I need to look back.

Who knows what 2011 holds? January is always a very strange month for me; I've done some wild & crazy things in January's of the past! Maybe I get stir-crazy, not sure...

Thus, another year ends. For the New Year I have only two wishes: good health & living to age 60 so I can qualify for DH's SSI, which will certainly improve my monthly income and, hopefully, allow me to increase my savings.

Day After Christmas

Woke to more snow flurries, but by noon, occasional sunbursts. Bundled up the dogs in their new coats (gift from sister), put on my heavy coat, and we went for a walk! Since the wind had picked up, it cleared the streets of snow, no danger of icy spots. Brisk walk, but nice to get out of the house for awhile.

Pictures from the day:


Oscar models his new snug coat!


Rambo models his new coat!

Slinky & Bitty Kitty enjoy their gift, a play cube!

Morning sunlight on fallen snow with dog tracks!

And now I'm about to enjoy home-made vegetable soup that I cooked, yum.

Christmas Day Snowfall!

Just a reminder for myself that we're having a white Christmas in Dixie today!





As beautiful as it is though, I fear a real icy mess tomorrow since temperatures are supposed to fall into the 20s tonight.

Hope everyone's having a great Christmas 2010!