Sunday

 Guys, busier than hen's teeth!  Got a lot done.  Shined up and cleaned of course, the kitchen floor.  Everything else done including the wash; except I either go to the park--- and though the sun is shining brightly, get my newly done hair drenched in the dew.  Even this late in the morning.  Almost noon and the humidity is 90%.

That picture in the header is one of my better ones that I  published in Flickr.   Dear Anna, one of my dear Face Book friends had a picture of one of these that she published; and when I begged as pitieously as I could, she said she should share some seeds with me.  I LOVE  wildflowers.  And wildflowers are what I seek to take pictures off..macros usually. And landscapes.  Not that much a picture person except for the zillion selfies of me and her that I have.  :-)  Anyone can take another pic of a rose, but an "Indian Blanket" as what I took a picture of in the header...those are not as easily found.  Its name is Gaillardia pulchella.

Katie said to let you know that she is eating her prescription diet for hyperthyroidism.  It appears that I am sensitive to the methimazole I was applying to her ear..and she in turn, loves me very VERY much and rubs on me, scents me too, every waking hour.  It gets on me.  And I can feel it when it does.  I gave up after week of that and started her prescription diet.  She is eating the food.  Thank goodness.  She said "Hey" to everyone.  

Mom here had better get cracking.  Thank you so much for coming to see me.  Katie is far more popular than I am..but then, she is far more glamorous than me!!  

XO See ya bye. 

Got Some Fall Color in My Back Yard

 Howdy!  'Smee again.  Been over a month.  

Having all kinds of drama going on.. gotta go see about my eye...my flat iron died on me when I needed it the most this morning!  Dang.  Had to go to Wally World and get another with my frizzed out hair.  I have a natural wave to my hair.  When wet, there are ringlets all over my head.  Let it dry naturally and the ringlets are still there.  Touch a comb to them, and they're gone.  So, I iron my hair quickly...fluff the ironed tresses out and waves appear.  My own natural waves.  Leave it un-ironed and frizz appears.  My own natural frizz. Every time I get a rhythm going on exercise outdoors...a lot of drama and appointments come up.  Monday has me I HOPE taking Katie to her new Vet.  She needs a blood test.  Need to see where she is  for her hyperthyroidism. The old Vet has better techs, I have to say and could take blood, cut nails, etc. without an explosion from the cat.  

Here's what it looks like in the back of my house.  Those are mostly oaks showing.  I have Maples and Hickory too.  The fence is there to keep the kids inside as my property as does everyone here in this part of my street own to the city limit.  About an acre.  But it's solid woods  out vback which you've seen from time to time when I have posted aerial and 'normal' pictures.  This whole City is carved out of the woods. Really.   Here are 4 pictures that I just took.  Come on over...I live in beauty here.  We could sit on the deck and gossip! 

That's my deck to the left

 

Almost Friday

 Hello, Hi, and Good Day!  

Have a few things to show you that I have saved the past several months.  Here is the first: There's a lot of this going on.

The truth if I ever read it.  

I have a new vet appointment next Monday for Katie if I can get her into her carrier.  I know she will be just as afraid as at the other place.  I will try to get a second opinion on the Iodine 131.  In any case, I will get the food for cats that is for thyroid problems. 

Here is another saying that rang true to me.  I wanted to share.  

I am still going to therapy for my knees.  One is all better it would seem and the worst one is far better since he happened to have used the TENS machine on it.  It was amazing how much better it was just walking to the car.  I have had the treatment three times.  Hoping for another tomorrow.  HUGE difference.

Guess what?  I will never marry a Yankee.  Well, I was married to one once.  Without him, I wouldn't have had these three spectacular sons.  However. The cultural difference between a Yankee man and a Southern woman if you will (or..change that to a Yankee woman and a Southern man) is truly immense.   The pastor who married us actually predicted that, and advised us to rethink marriage,  (seriously) but we didn't believe it.  Now we do.  Now mind...no Yankee has asked me again.  I am afloat in a whole sea of Southern men.  However, once burned, twice shy as the saying goes.  If I'm fortunate, a nice Southern man will head straight toward me and Katie.  I'll fix him fried chicken,  gravy, and biscuits.   Maybe some green beans boiled with fat back in the water..  Or a small hunk of ham.  Yella cake with thick chocolate icing.  

(there really is a cultural difference in style of manners, cooking, handling life, and so on and on....)

Another Dry Hot Day.

 I guess Fall will come very soon according to the calendar.  However, around here, hot weather continues into mid-October.  Not as humid, granted, but very warm.  Now of course we have the hots and the humids both.  

Saw this somewhere on FaceBook and LOVED it.  I always enjoy "Pickles" and if I hadn't dropped all of the newspaper's subscriptions I had 15 years ago... don't ask why unless you really want to know...I would not miss my favorite comics so badly. 

 I loved Crankshaft too.  The cartoonist segued into some real-life happenings in "Crankshaft" and wrote about them exceedingly well.  He once had several months of storyline about his neighbors, two sisters, and one sister with Alzheimers.   I wanted to write him compliments on his fun but sometimes thoughtful cartoons. However, it seemed he did not wish to receive mail even through the syndicate that put his cartoons out to the newspapers.   I no longer recall his name.   

There are several cartoons that I looked forward to each day, but not at the expense if you will, of seeing what else was in that "news" paper. 

I included this because I mess up with the tense every time just about! 

Guys, pray for me and Katie tomorrow in getting her into her PTU and off to the Vet by 8:30.  Not going to be fun and I dread it.  BYE! 

Spam Spam...and Not the Canned Variety

 Man, the spam is getting terrible.  I thought Google had a decent spam filter.  I just deleted 7 spams after marking them spam of course, and Katie Isabella had her a bunch also.  

I was going to tell you news you haven't been waiting for...that I had some tuna with my celery and ground black pepper.  I was starving though I had my usual strawberry smoothie.  I saw my white albacore tuna looking at me in the cabinet..took it down.  Chopped three stalks of celery.  I LOVE celery.  Diced it into small pieces.  I smooshed up the tuna and added some light mayo, Hellmans of course, some sweet pickle relish, copious freshly ground black pepper.....and threw in all that celery.  Smooshed some more and ate my celery with tuna.  Oh, that was SO good.  Just ate the whole thing in the bowl I mixed it in.  I did not want to add all the carbs of two pieces--- or worse still--- four pieces of bread by making two sandwiches.  I would have too, it was so good.  So, I ate it as a salad if you will.  

I am going to physical therapy, the best around.  I sang their praises last time I had to go...for sciatica. He's working on my knee that got compressed.  He's stretching it out again. Makes a huge diff.  The thing is, I took off to walk today as the temp was so low it was perfection out there.   I set the alarm for early, got straight up..fed her and me.  I had an egg sandwich.  washed my face, put on lipstick only and covered my hair with a ball cap.  That's what you do when it looks awful; AND the humidity would work on it if I left it out to the humidity's tender care!  HA! Barely made one lap.  Guess I had better wait awhile. The temperature at 57 yesterday and 60 today...wowzers.  The therapist gave me permission to walk...said I won't hurt it, but that it will hurt me.  And it sure has. 

Katie has really rallied with the Convenia she got.  She has a follow up September 4.  If there is still an abscess there will be another shot of antibiotic.  She's old to have her fang pulled.  We are all concerned about how this will all work out.

Wish you could meet her.  I swear I wonder if there is any kitty who loves her human as much as this little thing loves me.  Vice versa.  

Katie after a huge meal.

September is near! Unbelievable.

I posted this several years ago.  Loved passing by and seeing this garden gate with a window in it.  I would love that here at my house. 

This week Has Flown

The absolute heart of my rose.  

 Anyway,  the title speaks to the quick passing of the week.  That's because I have something unpleasant to deal with this comng Monday.  If that was not so, I would be whining about how dull the week has been.  Except one thing.  (To come about)

I made a decision to go through 14000 pictures and form a picture book with some of my small stories to go with a few.  This is a self publish thing and only one will be published.  :-)   I have already gone through a thousand.  Takes hours.  

This is another.   Clinch River.  Approached from a Park roadway. 

Hope this is going to be a good week for all of us..including me.  

Taken of Nik...Admiral's hubby, by his Mom. 

Maybe BIggafy. 

 

Just this stuff and that stuff...

 Hey guys, another week half over tomorrow...my goodness me.  Time really does indeed fly past us.  

Saw this listed in a viewing schedule last marathon of Twilight Zone. I saved it because it seemed like something to think about.  Glad some attention was given even if it was 50  or so years ago. 

It hasn't been quite as hot- and we have had a few sprinkles now and again.  I will have to go out and spend some money tomorrow morning. Meaning the cost of water is outrageous here, as is the sewer fee.  But my gardenias and camellias need my attention.  

I am laughing all over again right now looking at this picture.  I saw it on FaceBook on a friend's page and I really had a laughing fit!  It reminds me of me in some instances.  I am not shy, and I am rather noticeable in my approach many times.  That poor little guy who was overwhelmed by the friend-to-be (maybe) made me think of "retiring" people I have met occasionally who are not used to a person like I can be--and have been occasionally, just moving on in to do some small talk.  Not always though.  I was reared with manners.  If it is completely inappropriate- then of course I am far more quiet.  I have been like that birdie asking the question that totally cracks me up every time I see it.  I have seen the occasional other birdie's reaction.  Then, I usually step back and reconnoiter.  😆 Maybe help the would-be new friend to a chair.  Possibly fan them.  In other words, I love this rendition of the "hail fellow, well met" personality!  I can't stop laughing every time I see it.  

 

Found some old children's elementary school library books in an "antique" store.  Read one though in an hour and loved every word.  The owner was asking way too much for it...I didn't know that till I got to the counter.  I then said sadly I would leave it there.  He felt sorry for me and said "what if I take half the price off"?  Still too much but I said yes, and went home with a smile looking forward to reading it.  My DIL loves reading as much as I do.  She is an H.S. English teacher.  We LOVE going through books and our taste is very very similar.  Then, we go into our 'book fort' and say everything we can about what we think regarding the book and the author.  I am so fortunate to have such a perfect daughter- in- law. 

Just saying "hey" to you...I don't mind telling you that I am not a shy person.  However, I don't act that way in church or other places demanding more quieter and circumspect behavior.  So you know.  

See ya on the other side.  Oh, here is one of my flowers. 

I Like This List!!!

 

Rain Rain Go Away

 It's out there pouring again.  Sigh.

Don't have anything much new to say.  I did get all my new gardenia bushes planted and the trying for another time camellias were trimmed expertly (sure wasn't me) so they not only look better but may do better poor guys.  I am pretty sure I told you that the below 0 temps did them in...I didn't know the first event was going to happen and it was too late then as the next three nights and days were below 0.  Then, immediately following was the 12-inch deep snow.  Killed every plant I had.  Starting again and this time though it will cost an arm and a leg, I will get/buy heavy plant covers and plenty of them.  What I had barely made it when it was just below freezing.  

Here... I found this again in my 13,000 + pictures here in the iMac.  One of the photo apps out there and now I can't remember which one.  It's me.

They are back...thank goodness

Grandiflora Magnolia.  Salad plate size blooms.

Surely, that's NOT Rain Again!

 Guys, it's raining again...everlasting but for perhaps four days a month.  Wait...Full sun for maybe four or five days a month and the rest either rain or clouds.   That is an exaggeration, yes, but there are so many rainy days and dark cloudy ones that it seemed true when I wrote it.  The yard guy mowed last Wednesday.  It rained again as he left as it had been raining just a few hours before he got here.  The grass grew so much in the following two days!  And now it looks like a giant ungroomed sheepdog lying out there!  For pity sakes! 

So, I got started back into my activity..aerobics mostly as I am so bored with walking. I just start moaning to myself after the first 30 steps, I swear...bored bored. I need unobtrusive headphones... earphones..something.  So I can at least hear music.  B-O-R-I-N-G!!! With aerobics, there is music even if I don't like it much.  :-) 

Been going round and round with my own incidental exposure to the cat's meds.  Stopped that med as she didn't need it.  Another Vet needs to be found. 

Colder'n iced tea in here I swear. May as well start my routine.  Gotta get ready to rock and roll.  Cecilia??  Git over here.  I'll take a walk instead up and down and UP and down all the hills here and we'll sure get a workout.  Take the train to Charlotte, and then make Bruce bring you the rest of the way. We'll have some fried taters and onions tonight.  Well, some meat too.  Tell you what! YOU bring the meat. I have natural vanilla bean... no additives... ice cream for dessert.  AND we can talk till the cat's ears fall off.  Bryon can stay home as there's no boys allowed. 

Here's my youngest's Nikon set up for birds out back in his yard.  He just yanks up the blinds when he sees one he wants to capture.  He is a Raptor fan, but he loves taking any pictures of the beauty out there. 

Last but not least...I LOVE this. Yessiree!   UPHILL BOTH WAYS and IN THE SNOW!   

Happy Mother's Day

 A Happy Mother's  Day to all of you who have nourished and reared children.  If you are a mom, a single Dad, a grandparent, an Aunt, an Uncle, or any relationship with the child you are bringing up...Happy Mother's Day and lots of love to you all from me. 

I have said the same thing many times since I began blogging...that I feel becoming a mother is the single most amazing and important thing that can ever happen for a woman, bar none.  Being a Dad is almost up there in my eyes, but to carry and bring a child into the world, care for the child since birth until he or she goes out into that world...that is priceless.  For me, there is nothing; not gold or money.  Not gems or prestige that I would trade for the privilege of being the Mother of my three sons. 

The children that we have are the pinnacle of reward for living our lives.  

I miss the days when I was a young mother.  Those days were like glowing gemstones looking back.   To the present day, I would change nothing.  They are a priceless gift.  Nothing will ever equal that gift to me.

Here is MY Mother's Day gift to them.  This blog, and this gift of my roses.  The boys are my flowers.  I love them totally. 

My Kingdom for a Horse

 Ackshully, some money for a person to plant my new gardenia.  Not quite a horse and not quite my kingdom, but...

I have texted the person who did some of that for me the year before but I haven't heard from him.  I am guessing that is my answer.  I will wait another two days and then I will text my lawn mower man for any possibility that he might know of someone I can hire.  I need the gardenia planted but I also need weeds pulled in the bed where the bushes go, and  I need new ground cloth and mulch.  All of my camellias and gardenias suffered terribly and to the death in the 0 degree weather with the 11 inches of snow one day following those 4 days of sub-freezing temps.  Everything died.   All of my azaleas died the year previous of a fungus.  And the man digging up the root balls, of course, ruined the ground cloth.  Wish me luck.

I think while I can still find the kind of gardenia I want, not the pointy flowered one,  (I prefer the white rose-looking one) I had better get another--- and they aren't cheap by any means.  But I had better get another while I can find the type I want.  Still have to find someone to plant them however as I mentioned in the beginning. 

Wanna see two of my boys?  I'm on the opposite side.  We all went out to Calhouns while the one from NC was here a few weeks back, and you will see my supper.  I had just gotten started with it.  Digging in the coleslaw, I was.  They had BBQ. Mine was fish and chips.  It was good too. 

Had to copy and paste here as Google no longer lets me use the usual method that is on the blog. 

Still raining and chilled here for the most part.  Liked to have frozen to death last night in bed as I was silly enough to wear a light short sleeved gown.  Not tonight.  Going to have to get warmer for me to give up the flannel.  

Come see me.  I'll be waiting. 

Face of the Earth

 I fell off the face of the earth it seems.  Just there are so many things going on that it's hard to think of anything else.  

The cat is better now~ but she was in an "emergency" type of way.  Two dear friends in the Cat Blogosphere, John and Laura came to her assistance for which I am truly eternally grateful.  Without them, she would have become extremely ill. 

Now I seem to have a turn at being under the weather but no one escapes.  :-  It'll either get better or it won't.

It's chilly and raining again.  This is the rainiest place in the US  outside of the State of Washington there is, I do believe.  Here I am sitting with you guys (coffee for me, anyone??) and I need to start my cleaning routine.  I will in 15 or so minutes.  Going to try to put a picture in here again.  See if it allows me this time!  Sheesh.  

I have a lot to say, but most are even more uninteresting as it is about how Katie or I are doing.  Can you say BORING?!   Just wanted to keep my hand in.  The secret is I don't feel like house cleaning so I am putting it off till I can't think of anything else to do instead.  

Katie needs to blog and tell that her results are in.  She does have some problems.  But thanks to the CB, the most urgent things are fixed for now.  We will get started or try to...you know cats...very soon.

Nope.  Still not allowed to post a picture except the header.  I took that out in the field.  Indian Blanket flower. 

I took a blogger's word and cut and pasted this Indian Blanket flower I took a picture of. Nikon DSLR.  I put it as my Header as you can see but I was experimenting with getting a picture into the blog now that Google won't allow it. 

For Pete Sake!

 Nothing wrong especially, but some things are just not the way I would love them to be.  Katie Isabella's blog will tell you what I mean.  

How about some scrumptious apple dumplings with lots of cinnamon as well as the usual ingredients? You got it.  Just show up in a couple of days.  Oh and when one of the boys comes home for James's birthday on the 30th, I will bake a pineapple pie for us.  I'll blind-bake the crust.  Don't like graham cracker crusts.  Let's do pastry.  We'll head over to James's home mid-early morning and be there awhile eating cake, and James'll be opening presents.  We'll stop at Costco and pick up their pre-made tacos on the way home again and I have some chocolate mint icecream for dessert on Saturday night. 

He'll be here from N.C. Friday afternoon and I am making homemade from scratch Sloppy Joes for him.  It is me making them, but oh they are SOOOOOOO good.  The kids have loved them (me too) since they were youngsters.  I buy the really large buns to serve them on.

Had my yearly doctor's visit.  Lab tests too~ and all is well.  That was a happy surprise.  I'm still recovering from all the stress and bad times so I expected less than good results but  I was wrong. 

Just sticking my hand in to see if anyone's there.

Still completely unable to add photos except the header.  No idea why but that's been going on over a month. 

  

  

  

Not Once but Twice

 Wow!  This morning on FaceBook, I found that on two pages other than my own the TROLLS struck.  They did.  They came after me when I answered a poll question on someone's page, and  again they swarmed when I mentioned the words "Military time"  in answer to someone who asked if anyone used that method of time on their own page.  There came the F word three-letter abbreviation which I despise above most  words in response to my comment on my friend's page. I had said yes I do "and so do my family." (Had to use it...and it carries on as a habit of use. And the kids always admired me so they did too.) 

 It's so easy to use...there is never a doubt as to the time of day.  If an individual chooses to do that, or use any fashion of time...good.  It shows they learned time.  But if an individual is ignorant of the terms..shut up (your criticism) is what I say.  For the record, I try not to do so in the blogs.  But I do- as it is so habitual. 

Meanwhile, if you are my friend on FaceBook- did you see my "double yolkers" this morning?  My goodness.  What a surprise!  I always buy E-G_G_L_A_N_D_S   B_E_S_T  eggs as the best there are in size consistency AND most importantly, in taste.  There IS a definite difference.  Worth the extra money to buy them.  They are the ones that have had the occasional double yolkers in their cartons.  Just happens that way.  I did the dashes between letters  of the brand so as not to overtly advertise.  😜

I had my DIL and my grandson here the longest  time with me on a visit here ever since he became Katie's Client as a just barely toddler, eating her foods, trying to play in her litterbox, and making a swimming pool out of her water dish. (It was a capacious one for certain!!) We were fortunate enough to capture videos.  Katie posted them back then on her blog!  I think she was trying to grow her business as an Attorney.  She did occasionally ask for assistance from the J-Cats when her Client got out of hand trying to do laundry! A girl can handle just so many cases after all and her Client tried to sue ME, for keeping desired items out of reach. 

That's my day.  Great eggs and some TROLLS! Got my hair shampooed and all that stuff.  Shined and cleaned (of course) the kitchen floor.  (dropped two eggs of the thing yesterday morning for pity sake.) 

K.  What have you been doing? 

BTW Blogger won't let me upload a picture.  Anyone else have that happen?

Hold Me Back

 I about greeted you as "KITTIES!" but I stopped myself in time.  

Hold me back from what, you ask?  Making another pan of that gingerbread is the answer.  The calories must be pretty high.  There's a stick of butter in it, molasses, and brown sugar too.  When you use two teaspoons of ginger, there is no mistaking there is ginger in there.  It is almost the predominant taste until the flavors marry after a few days.  Even so, there is still no mistaking.  I loved it.  

I, and my date wearing the pristine tuxedo I spoke of yesterday in my Valentine's greeting to many of you.  had a lovely Valentine's evening.  My date had Fancy Feast snappables, one, with chicken cuts, rice, and gravy. I would never choose anything for her with rice or other human foodstuffs in it but things are getting more difficult here with "someone" not wishing to eat.  I have wasted can after can.  Added things, and I have pled with her.  Something she loves is death warmed over the next meal. 

If any of you are members of the CB (and you know who you are) and fans of "I Have Three Cats" --I recommend the purchase of the blogger's just-released book called "Inductions Dangerous" by John Bellen.  I say that only because many of us are incessant readers.  I am enjoying this book quite a bit.  Thought you might like it as well.  It goes with my underlying mindset so it "speaks to me".  Read its description and think about it. 

Had an embarrassing thing happen the day before yesterday during a girl's day out.  We stopped to eat somewhere and went to visit the Ladies' Room.  We exited after washing up and all that.  I made it about to the counter when she said "Wait a minute" and indicated that I had unknowingly brought out a considerable trail of paper product on my shoe that had been on the floor in the Ladies.   I had such a good laugh.  I did.  I have always believed that if you can't laugh at yourself over anything, you are a sad, tightly wrapped person. I drew attention because I was laughing out loud.  Did I care? No. 

Went to the salon yesterday (it deserves that title) and enjoyed close to two hours of all kinds of good stuffs! My last night's Valentine's date was unhappy on my Girl's Day out, and the salon time was too long for her.   She clung to me like wallpaper when I got home.  

Let's have a small steak with onion tonight.  How do you like yours?  Medium well for me. Mashed potato and green beans.  Just me and Gorgeous One here... so...not much. Oh, and I'll haul out cranberry sauce too. 

Quite the sale there!  No change in price! 

Out and Around

 I was making my rounds up there in the park.  Yesterday as well.  Hope to tomorrow if it isn't raining or worse.  I am desperate to get back to my routine.  Terrible weather...horribly cold, rain or snow keeps me from going up there.  I can do aerobics and love them but for the first time, I hurt my back enough to stop me for awhile.  I would rather be outside now if I can.  

While I am sitting here talking to you, I'm scarfing down my homemade gingerbread.  I calculated the calories in the sugar, the molasses, the flour, and the milk...forgot to add in the egg...big dealio...and divided the sum by 4.  That's my calories for the gingerbread as I eat a vast quantity each time till it's gone.  Still working on it.  😋 Hair looks as frizzy as you saw it in that picture day before yesterday as I go out early and the humidity is high.  Katie probably thinks I need brushies.  I'll get an additional 3 inches cut off on Valentine's Day when I have my appointment. 

Saw this yesterday on FB and swiped it.  That cat on his back reaching under cracked me up. 

OK...off to snuggle the purrson waiting in the living room. 

Not Snow..But it IS Pouring Rain all Week to Come.

 Hey, I think I have a new profile picture.  And it shows what dampness does to my hair too.  Kills two birds with one stone.   

I had hoped to get out and speed around the track.  Weather.Com predicted a cloudy but dry day yesterday.  Well, it ain't.  It was raining when I got up..has been all day and will continue through the night. I will see about tomorrow.  

Today, I got the entire bathroom cleaned!  Including the floor.  The tub was climbed into and scrubbed.  I got out, re-dressed myself, and apologized to Katie for shutting the door during all of that.  I vacuumed the whole house as always, buffed the wood kitchen floor, cleaned the counters and shined them a bit...polished the furniture in the house.   Did the wash, dry, fold and put away.  Scoured her water dishes...bed was made--- but the day before, I mentioned to you that I got that thick heavy mattress turned by myself.  I feel like Atlas holding up the Earth whenever I do.  Gonna make some homemade gingerbread thanks to Diana.  I kept telling Diana I was and didn't get to it yet.  

Oh.  I was going through a TV thingy and saw this about Twilight Zone episodes.  I bored everyone on FB saying how much I love that series.   I hope THIS one never happens.

Meanwhile about to go see Black Sheep Squadron.  I LOVE that series.  Love the series music introduction too.  Mike Post composed it.  He does all of the good ones.  

See ya later, Gator(s) Come on over in an hour for Gingerbread. 

Waiting (not for Godot)

 Well, crap!  I have been in this house since last Sunday because of the intense snow and way below freezing temperatures.  The third day into it, I finally made it to my car a few feet from the side door. I had to hold the snow shovel as a prop to keep from going down in the ice layer on top of the snow drifts.  But I slowly made it down the porch steps holding the railing and the shovel...and inched my way to the car.  I got in..and moved it backward a few feet (for a reason).   The roads were so bad I could not leave the house  Nor did anyone else. as the roads were untouched.  The ice was worse than the snow.  

Fast forward to yesterday when the roads were plowed enough and the sun's radiant heating had melted some ice, so I felt I could get out finally as I needed to get out for Katie's food.  Got into the car still holding the shovel till I got to it, ..and turned the key to no avail.  All the warning lights lit.  Micah refused to turn over.  I tried again... the same refusal and very awful sounding.  Went back to the house.  Today is the first day when temps will go above freezing by a few degrees.  I will wait till 1300 and try again. Outside of heart surgery back in 2015,  I have never been confined in the house like this.  As would most, I hate it. 

So..I am slowly getting ready for the day.  Dressed, wishing I had someone here to help me turn this mattress.  It is new (still) huge and extremely heavy.  So, I haven't made the bed yet.  I may change sheets and just give up on the mattress.  I have a couple of "holes" there and need to turn the mattress to get to the firmness on the other side.  Hurts my back some right now.  The mattress feels like a zillion dollars until it sinks slightly when I have lain.  I am on my back.  I've worn a hole in the thing!  (No, I am not fat).  If I was, this would sure be an incentive.) The mattress was NOT cheap.   And it's better than any I ever lain on.  But it will sink where you lay after a while and they recommend turning every three months.  I would if I could. 

Welp...onward and upward.  And when I get to finally start the car I will shout "EUREKA"!  May have to pay a million bucks for the garage to come jump it off.   I didn't know about cold crank amps until now.  But now I know for next time I buy a battery. 

OK.  Let's get the lipstick on and face the day.  OK...*I* will do that..you stay steady and on course! 

Special Day

 Katie is celebrating her Gotcha Day today, January 16th.  She posted yesterday a day ahead of time.

We have 10 inches of snow out there and below freezing temps  during days for the entire week with negative temperatures four times through this week I believe I recall.  I am hoping I can get someone to come over and clear my sidewalks and driveway.  I saw an ad in Next Door.  There are already 12 of us guys asking him to come over.  I won't hold my breath. 

The snow made my bedroom so bright last night that despite closed mini blinds the ambient light kept waking me up.  My brain and closed eyes sensed that threshold of light that generally wakes us in the mornings.  I even threw back the covers at 4 am thinking it was time to get up.  Something made me look at the clock... and the covers came back.  Katie was against my head but not pressing so I didn't know she was there and bumped her adjusting the pillow.  We both got up just after 5.  

The sun is shining as of an hour ago.  Maybe the radiant heat will help.  The temp is 21 but radiant heat doesn't always care. 

Well... another day staying home.  I live at the highest place in my town.  I can't get out of my driveway never mind down the hill or back UP it..so I'm  sitting here entertaining the cat. So far no vehicles.  For the reason I just stated here.  B-o-r-i-n-g. 

Mid-morning yesterday just getting going good

0600 today.  10 inches

Ugh.

A Thought..well, Several.

 Ya know..I am like everyone else. I have my thoughts and opinions about politics too.  However, Katie never writes my thoughts and declarations in her blog, nor do I write them in mine.  I have asked her to always be mindful and respectful.  I have done the same.  We are a team, Katie and I.  She and I will always be respectful of you, the reader. 

I have always been mindful and grateful for the fact that kitties and woofies don't have political opinions.   And the CB was a refreshing and loving place for all animals and their helpers, us.  I have never been insulted by a kitty's or woofie's opinion ---until this past month and today.  Two blogs have had comments on them written by "animal" readers both times.  A jarring moment with that person's opinions about politics written in comments. 

I never make a comment in return and I never will in response, as I would never knowingly embarrass or trouble a friend on the CB or here by doing such a thing. 

Would the selfish commenters like it if *I* made opposing political comments not having to do with the kitty topic they wrote about as well?  Mine would also be inappropriate to readers if I did. I won't. 

All that to say I think it would be nice if animals did not trouble their precious heads about human nonsense and stupidity.  If the animal parents insist on making ugly comments on unsuspecting blogger posts, I suggest making a political rant blog for themselves.  Leave the little ones alone. 

Whew!  Moving on...it is cold enough to make me turn the heat up a little...though I will certainly pay through the nose for doing it.  But sometimes enough is enough.  You are cold (or hot in the summer) and you move up or down a degree.  Then swoon when the bill comes.  :-) All this to complain when I will be equally unhappy sweating a bunch in the summer!  

I miss my boy who has gone back home.  His birthday is the 14th of January.  He went home with his gift to open that day.  Katie has her Gotcha Day on the 16th.  She declared that it may as well be her birthday too.   She'll be 16.  Hard to fathom her that old. 

Look at that sweetest little one.  If I had a date like that...I would be happy as can be!!