Surprise...

Snow started falling here about 8pm Christmas night and this is what we saw when we got up this morning. The photos were taken about 8:15 a.m., and since then, we got another 3-4 inches.

We were supposed to have company for dinner tonight, but it was quickly apparent that would have to be postponed. Not one bit of it melted during the day; all the tree limbs and branches are still covered. The weathermen tell us that tomorrow morning will bring a slippery mess and of course, they are advising that we all stay home. I can do that tomorrow, but I am supposed to work on Tuesday. I sure hope that I can!

 

Snow days always bring out the domestic in me. Since we did our family gathering on Christmas Eve and yesterday was spent reclining - I knew I had to move around today or risk freezing in reclining position (not from cold -  from inactivity!) Don't ask me why this box appeared around my text - I have no idea and I don't like it. I cleaned the master bedroom and bathroom this morning and cooked all afternoon. I made Great Northern bean soup in the crock pot, with the help of the spiral ham bone from Thanksgiving. It is luscious, with floating bits of ham, onion and celery. I also made turkey stock with the carcasses of two turkey breasts. It is amazing how much meat you can glean when you boil the bones to make stock. My cats will eat like queens for days, plus there is enough to make turkey soup and turkey salad, in addition to the slices for sandwiches! Cabin fever will set in tomorrow morning, so I'll have to find another project to take on. Should I take down and pack the Christmas decorations or leave them up until our company comes for dinner on January 8th?

 

 

This is what it looked like here on the 13th. The weather man just said that our yearly average snowfall is 7.2" and as of last weekend, we had already had 7.1". If it were the end of March, I wouldn't worry about it, but since we are still in mid-February, we stand the chance of more snow before the winter is out. At this point, I wish we lived in Barbados or St. Martin!

On the 13th, I was supposed to be at the flower shop at 10 a.m., but I called and went in late. According to the shop owner, the roads were clear enough that I should have been able to be there on time - since everyone else was. I didn't bother to explain, but having just come out of a wreck (in good weather), I hesitate to take any chance that might make another one imminent. Plus, our neighborhood is always more slippery than the main roads, since so many of our streets are shaded by pine trees. The half-mile between our home and the main road is often inaccessible or nearly so.

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Do you rely on invoices received in the mail for bills you owe? What happens if or when that piece of mail isn't delivered? Last week I got a call from the company that holds the loan on our heat pump. My January payment was late. I realized immediately that I had not received the invoice for that payment and explained that to the clerk who called. She asked that I mail it the next day - which I did - and told me I was responsible for the payment even if the invoice doesn't arrive here. So, I made a permanent note to myself of the amount and the due date, so that never happens again. I wish they would just send a payment coupon book and envelopes. I suspect it would be cheaper for that company to mail one coupon book per client per year than to generate an invoice each month. (And no, they don't offer on-line payments.)

Quotes + A Rant

Old age deprives the intelligent man only of qualities useless to wisdom.

Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

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We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.

Maya Angelou, poet (b. 1928)

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We're still housebound, but not because we can't get out. I choose not to leave the neighborhood until I have to; the rental van needs to go back to the company in the same pristine condition they gave it to me. If I try to leave now and drive on barely melting ice and snow, I might have a problem - so I'm staying put. Our esteemed painter made it here Monday (along with his able helper) so the rear hallway and stairwell are getting closer to the finish. Of course now, it makes the bonus room at the top of the stairs look shabbier than ever. Isn't that always the case? I forgot to ask the painter to do the ceiling too, so that will have to be done before too long. I'm always forgetting something.....lol

Update: I went out on Tuesday for a chiropractor's appointment and took my life and limbs in my hands trying to get from my garage to the van. The slush is melting slowly, but it is still very slick out there. There was a hefty amount of snow/slush/ice on top of the van, which was impossible to remove because it was stuck between the rims of the luggage carrier. On the way home, I stepped on the brake for a red light and all that snow and slush fell off the roof and onto the windshield. I immediately turned on the wipers to remove it and when the windshield was cleared, I saw a crack on the lower left side. It didn't go all the way through the glass; you can't feel it either on the outside or the inside - but I called the rental company to report it. They asked me to return that van on Wednesday and pick up a new one. The crack is oval shaped and if you measured the line from start to finish, it would be 8-9" long. Very odd. I don't know how long I will have to drive that new one until my van is ready, but there is a prediction for more bad weather here on Friday - so it's anybody's guess.

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Our dentist will think we don't like her. The day after my accident, I had to cancel an appointment for cleaning, and Monday, mr. kenju had to cancel his cleaning. When the office manager finally got there Monday, she called to reschedule and there were no dates we could take, due to already scheduled chiropractor appointments. It may take weeks to get in there! I found out they are moving the office at the end of February. I've been going to the dentist in that same building for over 20 years, so it will seem odd to go somewhere else. Silver lining? They are moving closer to where we live - only a little over three miles away.

Snow + Bugs + Raleigh in Photos

This is what I woke up to this morning. Luckily, within 60 minutes, it was gone.

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Go here, if you are science-minded. What ants can do boggles the mind! The video takes 6 and 1/2 minutes, and it is worth it.

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Here's what Raleigh looks like in the Fall. Beautiful presentations of our fair city.

Long Ago and Far Away

My dad with two kids I don't know. I think this photo was taken in the 20's, judging from the clothing and the rear of the car.

Mom and my grandmom on the farm. Neither of them were dressed for riding, so maybe he was their favorite horse. I can't imagine why they'd be in the pasture dressed like that. This was in the 20's also.

This is me (age 5) in the snow. I looked at the photo today and tried to feel the cold. Lord knows we could use some it it here.....LOL. I don't know where I was when this was taken either, but I do remember that hat. It was knitted and had a ruff of multi-colored wool around my face. I loved it!

One of the Best

Excuse me while I adore this photo. I think it is one of the best I have ever taken. The boy is very near and dear to my heart. I hope he will always be this adventuresome, but not foolhardy. This handsome, but not conceited.

When he was seven, he made this pop-up diorama for me. I'll bet you've never seen brown snowmen before.....LOL. His reasoning was that they would not "show up" against the white background if they were white too. For many years, I have carefully put this wonderful scene away after Christmas, hoping it will be safe for another year. Am I not a lucky grandma?

Well, hello there, little buddy!

I got these pics in email also. Supposedly, they are the truth, and not fixed up in a photo program. I didn't copy the wording that came with it, but some well-known nature photographer snapped them when he was on a mission to get photos of polar bears. I think the bear must have been well-fed, otherwise, I cannot imagine her doing what she did - and lying down in the subserviant pose like that one below. Wonders never cease, do they?

Shuffle Off to Buffalo?

Anyone want to go to Buffalo, NY ? A friend sent me this pic of the area where his daughter lives. They call it "lake effect" snow.

It's beautiful, but this is as close as I want to get!