Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the Middle of a Wisconsin winter part 2

[Callender Girl]

Eggs at $6 a dozen? Wow!!

Too cold to hunt? Too cold to go out to breakfast? Yeah, I TOTALLY get it, and I have also wondered what my people were thinking when they decided to settle in Iowa -- too hot in the stifling, humid summer and too cold in the long, dark winter.

Awoke happily after getting what, at least for me, was a good night's sleep -- only woke up once and the dog let me have enough room on the mattress that I could turn over and drift off again.

The second time I woke up, I spotted snow on the roof of the mudroom which is below one of the bedroom windows. And, snow on the ramp as I looked out the other window. Crap!!!

I bundled up, trudged outside and grabbed a shovel and a broom from the garage. Fortunately, there's only about an inch, so far, and it's light, fluffy and completely "broom-able."

Lisa, I know you appreciate snow far more than I do. I would happily give all of mine to you!

It will be interesting to see how the chicks from this summer handle their first snowfall.

I am hoping the weather folks are right, and that it will be sunny and above freezing Tuesday and Wednesday. I am not completely confident that the snowblower will work, and I'd rather not have to find out this soon.

At least the Christmas movies are starting on TV. Yesterday, I watched "Meet Me in St. Louis" (so that song is stuck in my head) and "The Bishop's Wife." If only I could watch movies all day -- instead of taking care of critters and moving snow!!

Ah, a sure sign of winter. The first snowplow of the season just roared past the house.

 

[ShrekDawg]

https://abcnews.go.com/US/new-york-counties-declare-state-emergency-brace-massive/story?id=116338004

 

[jvls1942]

I know I was awake well after midnight.
woke up at 4;45am,
had my coffee and mentally designed some stackable beer cases to fit the flip top bottles
the boys ended up with just two deer this year. they sure don't make boys like they used to. when we started hunting we didn't have all the nice warm clothing and hand warmers like these modern boys have. we hunted every day available.
we borrowed guns from the neighbors and friends.

 

[Callender Girl]

@ShrekDawg, guess I shouldn't be complaining about the snow here, no comparison to what's happening out East! Thanks for giving me some perspective

Jim, I like "mentally designing" things. I have So Many Great Ideas -- until I start to physically make them. Hope your ideas are more successful.

I have similar thoughts about school "snow days." We didn't have the advantages of today. We were bundled up and shoved onto buses every day possible. Anticipated snow and cold weren't factored in. It had to be frigid AND there actually had to be drifts of snow before we got to stay home.

Maybe previous generations were much tougher than us, too? Which is why they settled in the Midwest. Or maybe they settled in those few months when the weather isn't horrible.

 

[ShrekDawg]

@ShrekDawg, guess I shouldn't be complaining about the snow here, no comparison to what's happening out East! Thanks for giving me some perspective

Jim, I like "mentally designing" things. I have So Many Great Ideas -- until I start to physically make them. Hope your ideas are more successful.

I have similar thoughts about school "snow days." We didn't have the advantages of today. We were bundled up and shoved onto buses every day possible. Anticipated snow and cold weren't factored in. It had to be frigid AND there actually had to be drifts of snow before we got to stay home.

Maybe previous generations were much tougher than us, too? Which is why they settled in the Midwest. Or maybe they settled in those few months when the weather isn't horrible.

You’re welcome. I have family out there and it’s just insane right now and I’m pretty sure it’s STILL SNOWING.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've been sick. Something the husband brought back from the hunting shack. Bit warmer out today. Husband finally went back to work. Now I gotta do all my critters by myself. It was a bad idea to not move the hydrant this past summer. See if my back holds up through the winter. It usually take a few weeks to get back into it all.

 

[Callender Girl]

Hope you are at least starting to feel better, Lisa!

How's the brewing going, Jim? BTW, are people actually buying eggs at $6 a dozen? I'm holding at $2, but most of my girls are on their winter break.

And, @ShrekDawg, how's your family faring against the weather out East?

This year, I am determined to have a happy Christmas season. However, yesterday it felt as if I was being tested on that.

First off was the unexpected snow. After the initial shock and whining, no big deal really, move it and move on.

My oldest cat, Ziva, had been hiding in the basement for a couple days, up high on top of a concrete block wall and between floor joists. She doesn't like the new cats (that I didn't want to adopt), so I didn't think much of it. When I finally lured Ziva out for some canned cat food (a luxury!), I realized she was holding one paw folded up under her.

My girl was named for the Mossad assassin on "NCIS," she's always been feisty. Trying to extract a 10-plus pound, injured, yowling, cranky cat from a small opening over my head was a tiny bit terrifying. But, good news: she apparently just strained a shoulder muscle, nothing broken or dislocated. The vet gave her some pain meds and I got an unplanned-for bill.

On our way to town, some 11 miles away on a snowy 18-degree day, the low pressure light came on. I had the car serviced last week, so I suspected it was just leakage because of the cold air. I stopped at a car wash with an air hose, and began checking pressure. Right rear tire was at 25 psi and Would Not Fill, and the annoying light remained on.

It may have just been that air hose because it filled fine at the Ford dealership. I always enjoy going there and looking like an idiot. I had just told two guys that the tire wouldn't take or hold air when, of course, it did. I then had it explained to me -- and I already knew this -- that aluminum rims sometimes cause air leaks when it's cold out. I graciously accepted that advice; I could afford to be gracious because they didn't charge me anything.

When I finally got home, I decided to treat myself to a cup of coffee with my favorite cookies to dunk. When I took the first bite, I realized the reason the blue light was off on the electric kettle was not because the water was hot -- it was because I'd never turned it on. Soggy cookie, cold coffee, not a treat.

The lighted garland that fits over the living room window doesn't light this year, so while I was in town, I looked at fake evergreen garlands and was shocked at how expensive they've become. The worst: Hobby Lobby actually had a $149 garland for the "sale price" of $75. Too pricey for something I only use once a year.

Although it's a little darker in here than usual during the holidays, I am Keeping My Christmas Spirit!! I swear I will!!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Hope you are at least starting to feel better, Lisa!

How's the brewing going, Jim? BTW, are people actually buying eggs at $6 a dozen? I'm holding at $2, but most of my girls are on their winter break.

And, @ShrekDawg, how's your family faring against the weather out East?

This year, I am determined to have a happy Christmas season. However, yesterday it felt as if I was being tested on that.

First off was the unexpected snow. After the initial shock and whining, no big deal really, move it and move on.

My oldest cat, Ziva, had been hiding in the basement for a couple days, up high on top of a concrete block wall and between floor joists. She doesn't like the new cats (that I didn't want to adopt), so I didn't think much of it. When I finally lured Ziva out for some canned cat food (a luxury!), I realized she was holding one paw folded up under her.

My girl was named for the Mossad assassin on "NCIS," she's always been feisty. Trying to extract a 10-plus pound, injured, yowling, cranky cat from a small opening over my head was a tiny bit terrifying. But, good news: she apparently just strained a shoulder muscle, nothing broken or dislocated. The vet gave her some pain meds and I got an unplanned-for bill.

On our way to town, some 11 miles away on a snowy 18-degree day, the low pressure light came on. I had the car serviced last week, so I suspected it was just leakage because of the cold air. I stopped at a car wash with an air hose, and began checking pressure. Right rear tire was at 25 psi and Would Not Fill, and the annoying light remained on.

It may have just been that air hose because it filled fine at the Ford dealership. I always enjoy going there and looking like an idiot. I had just told two guys that the tire wouldn't take or hold air when, of course, it did. I then had it explained to me -- and I already knew this -- that aluminum rims sometimes cause air leaks when it's cold out. I graciously accepted that advice; I could afford to be gracious because they didn't charge me anything.

When I finally got home, I decided to treat myself to a cup of coffee with my favorite cookies to dunk. When I took the first bite, I realized the reason the blue light was off on the electric kettle was not because the water was hot -- it was because I'd never turned it on. Soggy cookie, cold coffee, not a treat.

The lighted garland that fits over the living room window doesn't light this year, so while I was in town, I looked at fake evergreen garlands and was shocked at how expensive they've become. The worst: Hobby Lobby actually had a $149 garland for the "sale price" of $75. Too pricey for something I only use once a year.

Although it's a little darker in here than usual during the holidays, I am Keeping My Christmas Spirit!! I swear I will!!

Thanks for asking! They are doing well I’m pretty sure but we haven’t talked in a bit. I should really call or text… my dad talked to one of my aunts recently though and I do have them all on FB but that’s not the same. I need to reach out lol thanks for the reminder! Hah

 

[ShrekDawg]

Brew’s new coat (last two pics) and his rubber ducky raincoat LOL

 

[jvls1942]

Barb, don't give up. you will have a happy holiday season. it might not be easy, though.
look on the bright side. you gave yourself a
$75.oo present already..
I am a cookie dunker also. My cookie of choice is Nabisco ginger snaps. I have dunking them down to a science.
bro Dave set the 5 gal bucket of wine on a table out in the sun room for me. the wine is not supposed to freeze. I will check it today.
the beer has about another week to ferment.
I have been drinking the pilsner that I made over a year ago. it is good, but a bit too hoppy for my taste. almost fruity tasting.
I have to go see my eye doctor this morning. regular checkup. Friday I go see my heart doctor. regular checkup. Wednesday I get my permanent crown at the dentist.
no wonder I can't get anything done around here.
the black cat seems to be living in the detached garage. Annie bought him some
"outside cat food". he also gets meat scraps .
he must be where he can see her when she puts the food out. he is there by the time she gets back into the house.