Thoughts of an Unhurried Mind (or Meaningless Ramblings of a Loose Associative State)...You Decide

Blink! That's the week. Maybe since John arrived home just in time for the weekend to start last week, the whole week seemed to speed by just in time for him to leave again. Most of the snow has melted except in a few sheltered areas. The lawn/meadow/jungle clearing squishes from all the moisture. We have a clear day on tap for today which will be enjoyed thoroughly.

John took the hardheaded brown dog to the vet on Thursday for what usually ends up being a $300 outing. She had her thyroid level checked after being on medication and we will adjust the dose slightly upwards. Also had to get more of that low-protein kibble that she eats reluctantly. Still, she looks good and has lots of energy for the old gal that she is. We're grateful for that.

The mouse wars continue. After John went mano o'mouso with that wee critter on his engine block last weekend, he set out a number of traps in his engine compartment (3? 4? 5?) and so far the body count is up to three. There doesn't seem to be another solution to the problem. You can bet I'm not riding in his car any time soon as memories of having a mouse in my car as a teenager come swarming back. Still a little PTMD there (Post-Traumatic Mouse Disorder).

I acquired a new sewing machine this week! The one I had is older than my kids who are no longer kids. It has seen a lot of Halloween costumes, curtains, a couch cover, and various clothing over the years, but it wasn't very helpful at quilting. I've grown fond of machine quilting, but you need a machine that has a longer head at least. I have a quilt to make as a gift, so this spurred me out of my sewing machine inert state and the new one arrived this week. Funny thing, this machine doesn't do a zig-zag stitch. I guess I just assumed all machines did that. I rarely use one (which is probably why it isn't on all machines).

On a completely different note, I also bought a WII console and accessories from someone who was selling one at work. Now John and I can do yoga poses or compete in all kinds of activities. Does that thought make you smile? It does me. I also scored two rocking chairs from someone else at work. We'll pick them up tomorrow. You never know when one (or two) will come in handy.

I have been following a vegan diet since January 1st and like it a lot. The resident omnivore is not so inspired but he is going along with it with only a modicum of grumbling (and for those of you who know him, I say that in earnest). Fortunately he is only confronted with these animal-free meals for dinner when he's at home. For my part, I am enjoying finding foods and meals that satisfy the vegan lifestyle. And on that note, the weekend has begun. I need to get some things underway. Let's talk later...

Glad that's over...

Well, the temperature came up above freezing and is melting the snow pretty rapidly. The roads are clear and lots of people are on them which indicates to me that cabin fever beset a lot of us. John arrived safely on Friday night. We were spared any power outages or trees falling. All in all, winter weather came and it went.

Rain is predicted for most of the next week. We had a sunny afternoon yesterday which helped to melt the snow. All that water is running off the roof into the drains and some has found its way into the stream. We have had an influx of birds over the past week who are taking advantage of the fast food in our feeders. Lovely towhees and chickadees and some whose names I don't know. The woodpecker that likes our front porch also paid a visit. John took his car out for a short trip yesterday. He removed the fabric softener sheets from under the hood before leaving (mouse deterrent) and all looked good. Upon return, he opened the hood to replace them and lo and behold there sat a mouse on top of the engine block. John picked the stunned creature up by the tail and tossed him into the snow. Something like a Finnish sauna experience.

Today will bring a little housework (it doesn't do itself you know). We'll watch some playoffs (Go Niners!) and I'll make some chili for our Sunday soup day. I have a new quilt I'm planning out and I'll look at that. And there is a Gaugin exhibit coming to the Seattle Art Museum which we'd like to see. I think a museum membership is in order. The day is underway...

Sledding ???

 Pictures of our snow on Day 5 (Thursday). We accumulated about 8 inches. John was delayed getting home from California as all the runways at Seattle airport were closed due to ice. He is booked on a late flight tonight and I will pick him up about midnight. Fortunately, throughout this storm, we continued to have power so the hard-headed brown dog and I stayed quite snug. I am also fortunate to have a job that I can perform from home so I didn't have to leave the house and attempt the icy roads.No mail delivery and no garbage pick-up gives you some indication of how treacherous the roads were.

When we moved here, it was with the expectation that we would have a little winter weather, but not so much that we would be living in snow for months. It seems that is exactly what we have. This will pass in a few days and we will go back to the temperate rain that is the Pacific Northwest. Not too bad, I say. We might have to buy a sled in anticipation of next time...

First Snow of the Season

La Nina has finally made her presence known. It started snowing yesterday about 2pm and continued for a couple hours; big, fluffy white flakes. The temperature dropped as well so the snow has stayed and we have about 2 inches here covering the trees and bushes as well as the lawn/meadow/jungle clearing. It's lovely powdery stuff; the kind that is excellent for skiing. More is expected throughout the week. John is off to California this morning. We put chains on the tires last evening in preparation for our 5am departure, expecting that with the low temps, ice would be the issue. They stayed on for the journey this morning and then, once we got to the transport drop, we removed them. I'm very glad we did it then as they were not the easiest things to remove and it was better to have two people making rude noises at the things than just me. They will not go back on unless we are nearly buried and absolutely have to use the car. As it was, the major roads were clear and the snow was spotty. So, we have 2 inches at home, but 5 miles away, there isn't any. Still, a larger system is on tap for Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, so we'll hope to keep power on and manage as best we can. Zoe was a little hesitant when she first went out in it yesterday, but since then she has let her inner Husky out and enjoys the strange white stuff thoroughly. The photo is from the start of the snowfall.

All Quiet....

Brrr...it's cold up here. The temperature outside is 28 degrees right now and expected to reach the dizzying height of 38. There's a heavy frost on the lawn/meadow/jungle clearing this morning and the dog's water and the bird bath are frozen solid. Yesterday we had snow for the first time this season. It didn't stick around except in some sheltered areas, but it is predicted to continue throughout much of next week.

Zoe seems to thrive in this weather and loves to wander around outside for long periods. We have to be diligent about that and watch her closely as the coyotes are in mating season and we are advised that they may view dogs as competition with disastrous results. That was the case with a dog not far from here last week. So, when she walks, we walk.

Some "progress" was made on the gate last week. The workmen were out and demolished the decrepit concrete base that held the gate motor. And that's it. The remnants of that remain there. I expect they are waiting to receive the base that will replace it, but for now, that's as far as we've come. Winter is pretty quiet around here. John has already received some seeds for the garden though, so already we are looking ahead...

Nothin' much...

The first week of the new year has been and gone. John was away most of the week, arriving home on Friday evening. So, somehow the weekend is seeming shorter. We went to our monthly Farm Breakfast yesterday and enjoyed the lively conversation with friends. Then off to do some usual stuff. The weather is holding dry but cloudy just now and the temperatures are pretty mild for this time of year. What happened to La Nina? There will be more "usual stuff" today, but I'll throw a massage into the mix midday.

The animals and I carried on with the week while John was away. It was a pretty standard one: work, walks, and sleep. It seems to work. I have a very busy week at work coming up so it's nice that John is home and I don't have to worry about spending that extra hour as needed versus getting home to let our hard-headed brown dog outside. That's about it for the week. Sometimes it's like that.