Yes, the weather is frightful

Karen and Shellie were much on my mind all day the 24th and now early on Christmas morning. Twenty-seven years ago they sang "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" as the rain kept falling all day the 13th. That is, it kept falling until about 5:30 PM when it changed to snow. Now, that was a snowstorm. Later that Christmas eve, Russ, Karen, Shellie and Rich had made a snowman so huge that it was looking in the window with ease - the bottom of the window was at least 8 feet above ground. To add to the effect, they placed a large Mexican hat on the snowman - the type with a wavy brim. Christmas morning that hat had at least a foot of snow making it ever so impressive. On the ground - well, it measured at 28 inches. What a day! As I have often said, that snow was probably the best Christmas present the kids ever received - and the same goes for me. It was my favorite Christmas ever.

P.S. I am still waiting for the present rain to change to snow!

Another P.S. It looks like I am joining Karen and Barry and heading South and East for a week plus. If it works out, I will spend some time with sister-inlaw, Maryjane, at her son's home in "Surprize" Arizona.

Greetings one and all

What to say? - other than I truly hope that each of you has a very good day. Weather permitting, Rich and Chris will join Karen, Barry and me at the card table and the snack table.
They are due to arrive later today.
Friday, Karen and Barry have invited me to head South with them - we will spend the weekend with Brian and Sarah - and then ??? It will be great seeing my boy, Brian. He was a major part of my Christmas for so many years. This is the first year Jennifer,s life that she will not be part of my Christmas. Living at Lake Tahoe is not condusive to travel when snow enters the picture - also true of Moody Ridge - Janet and Greg are regualr Christmas fixtures that will be missing this year. Thus we are having a kidless Christmas.
A quick toss in of a long ago memory - ever so tragic. I was absolutely positive that I would get a bicycle for Christmas. It was dreadfully difficult to act excited over my shiny, new rollerskates. What pain to smile on the outside while so wanting to cry. Poor me!

Snow Tires!

Greg's writing about having snow tires on his car reminded me of my Dad. He had four of the first snow tires, I believe. I know they were amazing tires. Anyhow, when there was no snow on the streets those tires sang. We would hear the singing tires from a block or two away and knew that Daddy was on his way home. It always made me feel happy to hear his tires. He only used them in the winter months.
How did we know the singing tires were his? Well, in the thirties there were not alot of cars in our neighbor hood and snow tires were even rarer. And, in fact, having a car was more unusual than not having one. Imagine - the teenagers survived! During the war years gas was rationed - teenagers again survived. We did alot of walking!
So now you know more than you ever wanted to know about snow tires and pathetic teenagers.

One Enchanted Evening

Oh, how trivial Karen made it sound - here is the real story!

The chariot arrived at my doorstep at about 5:30 PM. Prince Charming and his lovely Princess entered my home carrying gifts of - well, lets leave it at gifts. They then carried me of to their castle. The amazing Prince then donned his "chefs" disguise and proceeded to prepare a feast. The Princess and I went to the guest parlor where she amused me by playing the piano. Later the Prince joined us while the gourmet dinner he had prepared was baking. We had a couple of hours of merry chatter about the economy, the state of our state and the upcoming Christmas celebration.

It was 8:30 PM when we sat at the banquet table to feast upon roast duck with orange sauce and stuffing, potatoes ala baked, exquisite broccoli chunks and crisp fresh celery and carrots. It was magnificent! Prince Charming removed his apron and joined us.

Soon after eating it was time to return to my hovel in the hills. The Prince kindly got his chariot and took me there. He had to maneuver through a snowstorm and potential hidden dangers due to the snow and the darkness.

I went to bed shortly and dreamed about castles and the lords and ladies that dwell in such magnificence. Today I am singing "Some Day My Prince Will Come" - with too much doubt in my voice as it seems so unlikely at my age.

How cold is it?

I am aware that the temp was to drop to low levels last night. I am also aware that the furnace came on frequently during the night to keep the inside temp at 55. But here I sit, shivering in my cozy robe - the inside temp is all the way up to 64 degrees - it is eight after eight and the furnace has be running since six thirty. I already dread my next gas bill.

So I have an hour to get sufficiently bundled up to head out the door and go play bridge. Life can be so difficult!

P.S. I truly remember going to highschool when the temp was 17 below zero. It was so cold that I was allowed to ride the streetcar - a four block walk from home. It all got quite complicated when the streetcar went off the tracks and we could not proceed on!

Not So Glorious Snow

Yep, I am ready for rain - in any quantity, as long as there is enough to wash the blasted snow away. Snow is so beautiful and peaceful when falling - but at this point it is just white stuff that is complicating my life!
So yesterday I baked a bunch of potatoes and have 16 or so stuffed baked potatoes in my freezer - however, my freezer is rather full which means no more major cooking projects this week. I only did the potatoes all at once as I did not want them to start sprouting.
Today - laundry, some cleaning and remaking bed, finish Christmas cards and ironing - that should keep me busy! Certainly, one can not get bored when busy - or can they?
Enuf prattle - hope all of you are having a great day!

Glorious Snow!

It looked like we had 8-10 inches of the lovely white stuff. It crushed all the oleanders and shrubs to the other side of the front door. I did go out and attempt to revive them by freeing the multitude of branches that were smashed to ground level. One good size honeysuckle branch broke under the weight. Our street was plowed this PM - tis difficult to make it seem like a good job was done - it was a very selective job and probably will lead to one very icy hillside.

Yesterday I made seven full sized loaves of cranberry nut bread - you should have seen me up to my elbows in the dough as there was no other way to mix it thoroughly. It had seemed like such a good idea to tackle that recipe - that is, until I got into.

I look forward to learning how to post pictures on my blog - yes, I know, it is simple but not for simple minded folk. I have been tempted to give it a try on my own - but my computer was put on earth to cause me great frustration and I do not want to tempt it!

How foolish is foolishness?

Yesterday, I took computer in hand to write an entry for my blog. There was no way some gremlin somewhere was going to allow that - I had to fill out some form - which I did complete with some none to friendly comments but it would not depart my computer. So I wrote an e-mail to the genuises that either live in my computer or in Lower Mongolia or who knows where. Today I (obviously) was able to sign-in without incident.
Well, I finally reconnected with Marge - a park resident who I knew in my HS years - she lived in Davenport, Iowa. Marge and I dated two V-12's that were also from Davenport and were stationed at Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa. What is a V-12 you ask? They were young men who were drafted and went into the Navy - had they continued in that education program they would have become officers. There were some thousands of them at Iowa State. I do not remember how I met Paul but we started dating the fall of 1943 til I went on my way when I headed for college in Am (whoops - I pushed the wrong button - see below!)
es the fall of 1944. Marge and I even went to the Great Lakes Naval Station the summer of 1944 to see our guys. There was no e-mail so Paul and I wrote daily letters to each other. (Stamps were 3 cents) So I went on my merry way and Paul ended up marrying Marge. Oh, yes - Marge and I first met at a summer camp for Presbyterian kids - neither of the guys were there - but another fellow from her area decided I was nifty and so I got to know all the kids from the Davenport/MolineIll. area .
Well, back to Marge - I had been warned that she had not aged well - it was quite a shock never-the-less. She is definitely a "little old lady" in appearance and manner. Truthfully, it was sad as we did have lots of fun when we were adorable teenagers. I promised her I would be over to see her after the holidays.
Well, that covers any and all exciting news and certainly is enough rambling.

Live and learn

I have been waiting for a really wonderful or funny thing to happen - still waiting! so there is the usual nothing to write about. Well, I did have that carpet cleaned - now that is exciting! I have semi-decorated for Christmas - and semi-shopped for same. I must investigate a class or two - not that I want to expand my mind but I like to fill time - thus I will look for fluffy classes. I could, of course, re-attack reupholstering the two chairs that have been out of service since last spring - of pick-up my needle and resume the counted cross stitch that I started many years ago. Unfortunately, I picked that project on the beauty of the finished picture - and ignored difficulty levels etc. Live and learn - not me!