Here's the thing ...
This year is a very real winter year. I knew Mother Nature was being kind and easing us in to the mountain life over the past three winters. This year is going to be our initiation. I can just tell. We're either going to be members of the "mountain people" club, or we aren't. Brrrr.
This was the temperature about 6:00 pm this evening. It never went above 10 degrees today, but it did start out at 2. Yep - 2 degrees ~ so we did warm up some. In case you're not sure, I'm here to tell you, that is COLD - FRIGID in fact.
It's been blowing snow since 7 AM this morning. The weather guy says we'll get between 3 inches and 3 feet by week's end. Well, that's nailing it down, huh? At least we're not in Minnesota where I don't think they will ever finish digging out this winter!
This was the temperature about 6:00 pm this evening. It never went above 10 degrees today, but it did start out at 2. Yep - 2 degrees ~ so we did warm up some. In case you're not sure, I'm here to tell you, that is COLD - FRIGID in fact.It's been blowing snow since 7 AM this morning. The weather guy says we'll get between 3 inches and 3 feet by week's end. Well, that's nailing it down, huh? At least we're not in Minnesota where I don't think they will ever finish digging out this winter!Our propane went (ran) out (our major form of heat) and the temperature inside the rooms that didn't have a space heater in them were all below 35 degrees. The bedroom, which had a little heater, was 42 degrees. The bathroom which had TWO space heaters in it was at 59 degrees. And it felt quite warm in comparison! But the toilet seat is REALLY cold. My sister says I need to sit on my hands, but they're actually colder than the seat. Hmmmmmm.
Paul moved a couple of single mattresses from the boy's room into the kitchen and slept in front of the wood stove. Well, we slept intermittently in front of the stove. When we weren't sleeping, we were filling the stove with wood. Thank goodness for the little stove! Beth gave it to us a couple of years ago. That thing has saved us more than one time, to be sure. So once again, Beth, Thank YOU ever so much for the very generous gift! Paul had the wood furnace downstairs loaded up to keep the underbelly of the house warm and keep the pipes from freezing. It was an adventurous night, to be sure. When the propane fellas came this morning, they discovered they had neglected to turn the second tank "back on" after the last time they tested it. Great!! Thanks, guys! $580 later, we have one full tank turned on and pumping propane in to the gas logs and boy does it feel GREAT!!! As I said, it's our initiation ... I have on thermals (long johns), 2 turtle necks, a lined fleece, jeans, 3 pair of socks and lined boots!!! I am still cold, but NOT frozen. Amen.
Our neighborhood cats make a lot of prints in the snow. Paul went out yesterday and tried to follow this guy's tracks. There were too many circles ... but there are zillions of these tiny little foot prints in the snow. It's kind of fun to watch. The cats sink up to their bellies and beyond when they're out taking walks. I don't understand how their little feet don't get frost bite. Anyone know how that works?
I absolutely LOVE the feeling of peace in my heart when I look out the kitchen window as the sun sets (when we can see it, that is) and there are the most amazing colors in the sky. The sun seems to throw off some amazing light shows when it's going to bed. Last night was a glorious color show but the camera never gets the accurate "real time" hues. I tried to share. Last night there was an ENORMOUS yellow moon just hanging low in the sky. Photos of that never work out either. But it was LOVELY and impressive (and romantic)!
Paul & I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday to stay warm and read. That too was nice. I had a lot of time to day dream, not being able to take down the Christmas stuff because it was too cold. I really love the way trees look when the sun is setting behind them and there are no leaves on the limbs, but lots of snow falling. This year the snow falls are beautiful and filled with wonder and questions. The feeling is magical ... and peaceful ... and powerful. The silence is like nothing else I could ever describe. NOTHING goes better with day dreaming while the snow is falling than a latte and a sweet, loving, warm husband. Hope we turn out to be survivors of this initiation! Maybe we'll get out Mountain person patch after all! I'll be keeping you posted (pardon the pun!).
Life is Good
Happy Trails,
Paul & Cheri
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