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Wednesday, January 17, 2007

*snow and sleet...

Well, we've had a winter freeze going on here since last Friday night, but the roads didn't get too bad because the rains came first, (and the ground being warm, dried fast), then the drop in temp. The freezing rain and sleet seemed to pass around us, leaving just the bitter cold... until this morning.

We awoke to below freezing temps, snow and sleet. It's playing havoc with the roads because people didn't expect it... and even though most avoided the roads over the weekend, most tried to drive in it today. The TV is full of 'back to back' traffic that is stopped due to someone careening into someone else on the ice or the driver up front simply couldn't go any further on the overpass. It shows people getting out of their cars because they're stuck with no way to go up or down. However, with cars on slick ice, I'm not sure it's too smart to get out. I don't know what I'd do... but don't intend to find out... since I canceled my 6 month check up for this morning. The nurse said that it was fine as the diagnostic center was closing anyway. DH did go in early to work and called me after he arrived. He agreed the roads were bad, but it wasn't necessary for him to use a highway.

Well, outside of the road havoc, the weather makes for a good time to sit by the fireplace or the AGA with the cats and enjoy a good book. I've also been able to put all the Christmas stuff away, and clean some of the clutter in my computer room. So the 'winter freeze' hasn't been a total wash-out. I'm reading Bill Bryers, "A Short History of Nearly Everything", as well as an advanced copy of "The Swarm" by Frank Schatzing.

Have to tell you a quick tale of something that happened yesterday. I had just driven up to the house from visiting Mama and noticed that the Mailman was on the doorstep with a package. As I pulled into the drive, DH also pulled in from work. He took the package inside and asked what it might be. I told him it was probably the rug I bought to put in front of the AGA for the cats... and it was. I had ordered a heat resistant hearth rug in a crescent shape... in I thought an almond color with brown trim. It turned out to be a kind of muddy color with wine trim (so much you can tell from catalogs?).

Well, as I pulled it out and told the cats that this was their rug we'd been waiting for... I was thinking maybe I should send it back for another color. But lo and behold, the cats went bananas over it! They were sniffing it, rolling on their backs on it, even biting at it and acting like it was made of catnip! DH and I had to laugh looking at them... and the idea of sending it back went out the window. We went out to dinner and when we returned, they were still sitting on it. Needless to say, it was a hit! I'm not sure why.

Going to close this now and get on to some other things. Have been giving the outside cats, birds, and critters (the old raccoon actually slept on our covered porch the other night), extra food to help keep them warm. There's also blankets and rugs out there.

Here's a pic or 2 of the cats and their new rug...

From us to you,

Rian