IT'S STILL WINTER

 

It is still winter.  There are still mounds of snow.  The snow is dirty.  Parking is miserable.  It is still cold.  And I am CRANKY.

OUT OF THE SNOW

 

We are emerging from the snow. This must be what it is like for the animals that hibernate. We are coming into a new, warm world after being buried beneath the snows of winter. Everything slowed down. Activity seemed very limited. We were not able to move about at our accustomed pace nor get to the places and activities of our liking. It was life slowed down to a minimum of living.

There may be more snow, but it won’t be like these have been. We have melting now. We have sunshine. We have the promise of a new world and a new day. Renewed life. Thanks Be To God!

STILL CHRISTMAS

 

It is still "Christmas" at our house.  It is Saturday.  The sun is shining.  There are great piles of snow everywhere.  I am lovin' it all. 

The weather gurus and the media hype mongers are warning about the next snow to come that will dump another ten to eighteen inches of snow.  Already the masses are moaning and groaning about the inconveniences of it all.  BRING IT ON!!!  Let's enjoy it.  Let's savor it.  It will be here such a short time.  Then we can enjoy spring and all of it's wonders -- like the endless rain that people are then going to be complaining about.

Why is it that what we have is never just right?  Not round enough, not warm enough.  Not soft enough, not sunny enough.  What is that about us anyway?  Let's just enjoy the day.  Enjoy the moment.  Whatever it is will be different soon.  And that will be another challenge for enjoyment.
 

... AND YET AGAIN

 

This is what I can see from the upstairs back window.  Cupid is underneath there somewhere.  I hope he is well insulated and comes back to us still smiling with wonder after the thaw.  This has been amazing.  Later I hope to get a picture of Gabriel out between the front walk banks of snow.
 

... AND MORE SNOW

 

Tomorrow morning's snow arrived TODAY!!!  I had a seven AM appointment at the dentist.  When I came out at eight thirty it was SNOWING!!  I was glad that I could drive home and just stay in for the rest of the day.  Being semi-retired allows for some benefits.  Wednesday is NOT my day to work.

So, two froached eggs, two pieces of white toast with butter, and some good coffee.  An hour and a half in the dentist chair does deserve reward.  Read the paper.  Checked e-mail.  Snow.  Snow.  Snow.  Some times thick, fat clumps.  Sometimes big flakes.  Constant, though.  By the time I decided to take some pictures of the garden cupid, I had to shovel the deck.  All this beautiful, amazing snow.

Now onto the daily puzzles and some "Tell Me More" Spanish.  Life is good!
 

SNOW IN CONNECTICUT

 
 

Yesterday morning at five thirty when I took Gabriel out for his first walk, the snow was squeaky under my boots.  Cold.  Pretty cold for us close to Long Island Sound here on the southern edge of Connecticut.  Below ten is cold for us these days.  Used to be that it got a LOT colder -- not these days.  No more driving across Holly Pond as the 'old timers' used to tell us.  Just squeaky cold.

It is cool in the house.  The thermostat is set at sixty-six and this is a constant source of contention.  Mind you that in the summer seventy six is a source of contention.  I believe in adding and discarding layers of clothing as the temperature requires.  Bill believes in creature comfort on his own terms.  I have been elected to do the finances; I win the thermostat battle. 

This is still the middle of January and people are complaining.  Grumble, grumble, grumble.  The same people complain about the heat and humidity of summer.  Grumble, grumble, grumble.  The day is to be enjoyed.  We can grumble or we can accept what is.  I choose, mostly, to enjoy what is.  Not always.  Mostly.

 

BRING IT ON

Snow is one of the beautiful wonders in my life.  Each snowfall a unique entity to be savored.  As the snow blankets the neighborhood, I walk from window to window observing all the new patterns and designs.  New photo opportunities.  New driving adventures -- learning to be a safe driver.  Or no driver at all if that is the better way to go.  Read Jeff's take on the coming storm here.

Being semi-retired I have the privilege of settling in and being an observer.  I don't really HAVE to go out in the snow.  I have done my snow time in the past -- walking my mile or so to school is Chicago where there was NEVER a closing for snow.  Shoveling.  Yes, I have shoveled tons of snow.  Was probably good for me at the time.  Now?  I let the younger ones do the work while I walk from window to window and delight in all that beautiful white snow.

ROSEMARY AND "TIME"

Snow came to Connecticut yesterday and it was one of those wet, heavy, beautiful snows that lies heavily on the tree branches and changes the landscape into a fairyland.  The kind of snow that creates a hushed and peaceful world.  Only I wasn't in the hushed and peaceful world.  I was at work fielding phone calls from patients who were mostly not taking responsibility for themselves.  I hate that.  We are trained to be patient and understanding and kind and listening and helpful.  Well, OK, I can do that.  And I do do that.  But it does take its toll.  It wears me out.  It drains the compassion right out of me.

And then work was over after darkness had fallen.  I was tired, came home, had supper, finished the novel I was reading.  Went to bed.  Slept well.  Awakened refreshed.  Awakened late and refreshed.  Errands to run.  Stuff to do.  Time.  Where is all that childhood time that went on and on and on forever?  Not n my life.  Not now anyway. 

There are just too many things that I want to do piled on top of the things that I have to do.  And then time seems to fold in upon itself.  Plus, being the nut that I am, I am constantly adding in new things that I want to do and then the have to do things go wanting and then life gets to be hectic and time spirals down upon me.

Relax, Barbara, take a deep breath, enjoy the snow.  Time will take care of itself.

THE LION OF MARCH

There was a dusting of snow when I took my seven pound shih tzu, Gabriel, for his last walk of the day. As is my current custom, I then settled into bed to read for a bit. The dragon novel that I have been enjoying just wasn't holding my attention so I turned out the light and snuggled down under the blankets. It was some time before I fell into a light sleep. I kept coming into consciousness and opening my eyes and finding it light. Each time I checked the clock, each time is was still night time.

Finally, I got out of bed and went downstairs to turn out the lights that I had obviously left on. Only there were no lights on. The world, however, was very light. In fact there was a pink glow to the neighborhood the origin of which I never located. Surmising that this was some sort of reflection off the snow, I went back to bed, finally, to sleep, awakening at the normal time.

I don't consider that March came to us like a lion because it must have been a very gentle snow. There were six to eight inch high gatherings of snow on fence tops and even narrow porch railings. LOTS and LOTS of snow. Beautiful white snow. Covering the whole of my immediate world.

Gabriel, being only a few inches high, had a difficult time finding just the right places for his morning ritual. Heretofore, the snows have been heavy enough that he could manage walking on top. This snow was way to soft. Nature won out though, but he was not happy.

Here he is, my Lion of March

SNOW

It is snowing in Noroton Heights. Not a bliizzard, but not just a flurry either. Just steadily gently falling flakes, touching the ground and melting. Too warm for ice. It may be the last snow of the season -- or not. But I am enjoying the spectacle just beyond my computer screen. Big, fat, clean, white flakes. The gentle falling. Softly meandering down from sky to ground. There is something quite peaceful about it.

Shrove Tuesday tomorrow and then Ash Wednesday. And Christmas is still up at our house. I just managed to pack the creches away this morning. Putting baby Jesus to bed before the tortuous adult trip to the cross. And, honestly, I don't know just how much of the strory/stories I really believe. It depends on the day. Some things I can believe in because I am such a believer in the super natural. I don't know whether that is heretical thinking or not, but that's how it is with me.

Tomorrow I will get the rest of Christmas put away and do some serious thinking about Lent. I know that I am not going to 'give up' anything. But I am willing to try to establish something new in my life. Or a new discipline of something 'not' new. Don't know what that is yet. Developing my artwork? Establishing a writing time? Maybe something not even for or about me. Maybe a discipline of contacting others. Not phone calls. Can't do the phone thing. Cards though. I could easily send cards and that is something I am supposed to do anyway and just haven't been able to accomplish. I have spent too much time trying to make a card template, frustrating myself beyond belief, stifling any creativity or motivation. To end all that I got the Hallmark Card software and think I may have solved nine tenths of the procrastination. So maybe I can do that.

At least I have a vague plan.