“WHAT’S COOKIN’?”
Laura is gaining, snow blower works fine &
Winter storms arrive
There were several inches of fresh snow on the ground when I awoke and I didn’t think that traveling would be so great, but it turned out OK. The main roads were salted, sanded and plowed and we were fine. Joe and I were to take part in the first Sunday of Advent at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Laurens. I made a lovely wreath for the display with clippings from Joe’s evergreens and added red berries, ribbon and pinecones. We shared a special prayer, as Joe lit the candle. Despite the weather we had a nice turnout. Everyone commented on my wreath and said we did a good job, which Joe thought was great.
Natalie had a wonderful trip to Portsmith, VA, where she spent Thanksgiving week with her daughter and family. She was not happy with the wintry weather she experienced when she arrived, but took it is stride. This would be the first winter in her Big White House on the Hill. . . It didn’t take long for her to give me a call and invite Joe and me to dinner on Sunday evening. She instructed me to bake on of my apple pies, which I anticipated and had one all ready baked.
Joe said, “We’ll be fine. I take my Chevy pickup and it can go anywhere, even up Natalie’s back road.” We were really looking forward to seeing her and hearing how everyone was.
Natalie was pacing the kitchen floor when we arrived as we were five minutes and we usually were always early just in case she needed Joe to do something for her. After the usual hugs and kisses, Natalie asked Joe to pour the wine and then check the wood stove. A cozy wood fire brought back memories of earlier times when hubby, Vincent was alive. She had prepared a lovely salad of baby greens, which we have come to enjoy. The main course was-Barbecued Baby Ribs, brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes! Would you believe Joe has been hankering for barbecued ribs? It was a real pleasant evening. After the enjoying thee apple pie we left, leaving the rest of the pie for Natalie to have, one piece at a time. The snow was falling again and the roads might be slippery. We got home safely and called to tell Natalie.
Precious is growing with limps and bounds, and is almost as big as Patchy. They get along fine now and, at times, they even kiss. Precious likes to tease Patchy by chasing her around, but it is very innocent. She now goes out and chases snowflakes and watches the birds and is trying to get used to the snow. She will come back when calls and is rewarded with a treat.
Patchy will be 15 in January and sometimes acts like a puppy and wants to be everywhere that Joe goes. Her appetite is good and sits patiently as her meals are prepared. She and Precious eat at the same time and will let us know when dinner is to be served.
Hunting season has gone well for Joe’s sons, here and in Florida. Each one got their venison. Steve, who hunts in Tennessee, bagged a medium sized wild pig, as well, and he said it is delicious. We are hoping to go for a visit this winter, Good Lord willing.
Laura is improving slowing. She missed what was to be her first Cortisone shot Binghamton. The weather was very bad that day. The swimming and physical therapy seems to be doing wonders for her. She has lost some weight too, which is great for her diabetes. In a conversation yesterday, Laura said she spoke with her doctor and was told that because she was doing so well, she would target Dec. 21 to GO BACK TO WORK!
Winter has arrived. We had our first winter storm with eight and more inches of snow and ICE. Schools were closed and businesses let employees go home early. I took the bus to work and there was no problem. Mid morning my boss called and after talking about business he asked how the weather was. He suggested leaving early I got up and opened the door to a winter wonderland! As it turned out, I did leave early after checking to see if the buses were running. I bundled up and walked down to the bus stop on Chestnut St. It was really nasty and the bus was running late. I got to my stop and got out. I would hitch a ride the rest of the way. It took 20 minutes, but it did happen. I was glad to get home where it was warm and dry.
Joe tried out the snow blower that he bought this summer at a lawn sale in Otego. Otego was having there annual sale and we left mid morning. The first place we stopped we were greeting by a near new snow blower! Joe went right to it like bees to honey. I roamed around while he talked to the owner. She was in her 80’s and had purchased this huge machine to run her self and couldn’t handle it. She hired someone to plow and parked the snow blower. It was an after-thought when she planned her sale and was glad that she had a buyer. Joe was a real happy guy when he loaded it on his Chevy pickup.
I hardly know where I am these days. I spent one day a week at my job and the rest of the week divided between my place and Joe’s. It started when I had the floodwaters invade my buildings. In the summer I had my surgery and now the winter weather has interrupted my time there and here. Having Joe to help has been great. And I appreciate his help. Precious and Patchy happily welcome me whenever I come. Joe says, ”We all miss you when you are not here.”
The area is expecting another winter storm and it should around this weekend. All is ready. Snow shovels and snow blower are parked and prepared to roll. Joe says he will be ready too.
Joe offered me a winter tip to save my windshield wipers. Lift them up off of the windshields and set them straight up and down. In this way they will not freeze to the glass. If they do freeze, remember to turn on your defroster before you turn them on. If they freeze in place and you turn them on, they will tear and will have to be replaced.
Thought for the Christmas Season: Where ever you go and wherever you are, greet people with a hearty MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR. It makes you feel real good and it lets folks know that you are keeping Christ in the Season.
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