Hunkering inside today

 Just a couple more tundra arctic pics.  These are  taken from my bedoom window which has a screen on, so there's some darkness.  It is sunny and bright but still sub zero.  So much for all that blathering we used to hear about global warming.  Suddenly the noise has gone away.  -12 degrees at Noon.

Weather Woes January 2026

 

8:00 AM  Jan 23 -19 degrees

This morning at 8:00AM from my front living room window, all was very still,  it was -19 degrees when I got up.  This is the most brutal, polar, arctic winter I have ever experienced .  Yet so far no new records set for this area.  I will not be going anywhere today, staying home where it's comfy and warm. Regretting living here in the tundra for now and that I am not someplace warmer.   Being a hermit is the only response to this weather.  By 11:15 AM the temperature was up to -13 degrees.  Sheesh.  I'll keep busy inside. 

 Earlier this week on my Facebook I shared a simi;ar view after I'd been out clearing the driveway and the front walk from snow using the blower.  I had done that about 9:00AM on January 21 and was feeling quite proud of myself.  

January 21 After clearing walk

Using the blower is so much easier than shoveling the snow.  The light snow is easy to clear that way.  So despite being bundled up at least I could get fresh air and accomplish something.  Yay for me. All done gby 10:00AM.  I started to just clear a path to push the recycle bin down to the street, then decided might as well clean it all up.

January 21  Proud of me

Yesterday I was not feeling the same way.  Although we had no new snowfall, the wind was blowing snow off the roof and lifting some from the ground, swirling it and redepositing it onto the driveway against the garage door and onto both steps and entries in front.  Other days I had mentioned it has been like living inside a snowglobe that someine keeps shaking.  That swirling and relocating the snow was far worse.  As soon as it deposited the snow, it glazed over into ice.  Neither the bloer nor the shovel moved it off my front entries.  Finally I got the idea to use an old push broom.  That allowed me to at least clear the entries and steps again.  I shoved the snow off.  The buid up aling the garage door can stay there.  Yesterday just walking down the driveway to get the mail I fought the wind to stay upright, it wanted to swoop me up and away.  

Wednesday Jan 21 10:00AM Cleared driveway

January 22 snow blown onto walk again

Anyway it has been a siege.  I am gratful for a warm home and that I don't have to go out in this below arctic.  I can't wait till we get some thawing.  The coming week is to be cold, temps likely only reaching 12 or 15 degrees.  But no more snow is forecast.  C'mon spring.

Christmas 2025

It's not chestnuts roasting on an open fire, but a prime rib I'm roasting for my solo Christmas dinner.  I might be alone but that's not new to me now, 5 years since Jerry passed.  My friends including the widows all have familues to be with.  I couldn't think of anyone to invite this year, so here I am.  I'll be dining solo but I still will dine elegantly using finest crystal, China, gold utensils.    

In a moment of otherworldly thinking I decided to have prime rib for my Christmas dinner.  It's been years since I cooked one and this will be my last time.  I had to buy 2 bones at Festival and today I must have cut away a pound of fat before putting this 6.6 lb. roat into the oven.  What was I thinking?  I'll have to freeze a couple meals from this because it's way too much for me. And from the looks of the oven now I'll have to run the cleaning cycle tomorrow.  

It's a grey dreary day out there again but at least no snow, rain, nor sleet.  A break in the wintry blasts we've been under since right after Thanksgiving 

For some reason unknown to me our church did not have the traditional 2 Christmas Eve services this year.  First time since I don't know when.  I prefer that 9:000M mass.  Since only 4:00PM was offered or 10:00AM Christmas Day, I went to the 4:00.  What a bad circus!  I knew it would be packed as the Chreasters come in force, that's what we call those who come only Christmas and Easter.  It mystified me why.  So I thought I'd be a little early and went at 3:30PM!  Hah!  Bad mistake.  Packed already.  I parked blocks away.  I nearly left in disgust but figured, oh go on, you're already here.  Fortunately an usher found a seat for me, on the end of a pew towards the back.  The place was a mess!  People crammed in like sardines.  I saw very few parishioners that I knew, just the Chreaster invasion.  Somehow by the Grace of God I endured.  

Last night I wanted to watch at least part of the service from the Vatican, so I busied myself rewatching It's a Wonder full Life while waiting.  It is a good movie, old black and white.  A reminder to be grateful, a timely message of blessing.  But my eyelids kept closing as the news came on and still at 11:00PM no trace or hint of the Vatican service that was supposed to be on NBC.  I gave up and went to bed, late for me. Surprised myself by sleeping in until 9:20 this morning!  I guess compensating for late night.

Well the probe in the prime rib is starting to heat over 100 degrees.  I have it set at 135 for medium rare.  So I best now fix my salad and reheat the twice baked potato I mixed up earlier.  

Wings.

I have always liked chicken wings but have never cooked them.  I will not eat them in any restaurants around here, they do not cook them right.  By right I mean we'll cooked crispy skins like they do in PA and NY.  And since I haven't been back home to PA in over 5 years now I've not had wings.   I suppose I never cooked them because Jerry did not care for them, he tought them disposable.  Made no sense to him why I liked chewing on them.  He would eat drumsticks though.  

So yesterday I bought some wings at the butcher counter and decided I would try to make some crispy buffala wigs ala PA or NY.  Today I did and I nailed it! I will do this again to treat me just as I did today.  They came out perfect, meat fell off the bones and the skins were crispy perfect, spicy hot.  I cooled things off with the traditional carrot and celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.  And since I like raw bell peppers and had one in the refrigerator I added some pepper slices too.  That was my dinner,  yum.  Oh and some left over potato salad.  That's another story, I don't know why I buy the stuff.  It is never the way I like it, always too sweet.  So from now on I'll just make my own or do without.  

.;

I had a feast for my dinner and will finish off with some ice cream later.  Our weather turned chilly this week, just like that the summer heat is done.  Finally the other day I gave up my shorts and t tank top and sandals for jeans, a sweatshirt and tennies or skechers slip ons.  It sure seems early to have it this ool. Also switched from the central a/cto heat.  Haven't had to use much heat though as I have it set at 72 degrees and so far the house doesn;t cool below that.  Except yesterday late evening it did kick on a little.  

Today I changedclothes several times from my acrylic long sleeve top and jeans to shorts when I worked down in the lower garden trimming back some ferns, plenty more to go.   I got warm out there in the sun.  Then when I came in the house I slipped into sandals and finally put my jeans back on.  By late afternoon, going to evening at 6:00pm I was back in my sweatshirt too. The sky is varied but it looks decent, though dry.  We could use some rain.   I've had to water some.  Seems not right here in September but then that's the way it is.

 

2025 4th f July and Solo

 

  So here it is, Independence Day, 249 years of American freedom won by patriots with guns and maintained by our devoted  military with guns over these years.  Like so many celebrations, I always looked forward to the 4th!  I used to love fireworks and have seen some magnificent displays in the past on our travels.  Two outstanding memories are of Calgary, Alberta, Canada when we were at the Stampede, way back in late 70's.  When we lived in No, CA and had a group of adopted family/friends we traveled with, all in our own campers.  Another was at Mackinaw MI, just me and Jerry but what a show they put on.  He knew I loved fireworks and enjoyed watching me thrill to them.  If I see any fireeworks this year it will be from those across the river, and I'll watch from my front yard or window.  

I had no invitations anywhere today and couldn't find another widow to invite to come feast with me.  They are all busy with families.  But having none, it's just me.  So while I don't like it, I don't feel despondent.  I keep busy here solo.  I have been watering some with this terrible heat siege we are enduring.  Thi is not our typical MN summer,  it has been hot and humid.  So it feels better inside in the A/C instead of being out there sweltering.  My head and body are drenched in sweat quickly when I'm doing anything outside.  By 10:30AM it is already hot and since I am not a real early bird the weeds are gaining some on me.  

Today I'll have some traditional 4th foods, by myself.  There will be left overs for tomorrow and. One tradition is deviled eggs, I always made them on the 4th.  Today I fixed some for me and thought about Steve, ourson who really liked them.  Now he is with Jerry Beyond just watching me too.  I got a little heavy handed dusting them with the paprika today but since it's just me eating them, not an issue.  I already ate half of one, my lunch as I made them.  I have some baked beans from a small batch I made this past week.  I will grill a couple brats later, braving the temps out there.  Picked up a small potato salad from the deli and doctored it with more chopped onion and celery.  It is not as good as what I make but I was not wanting to cook the potatoes.  It will do ok.  

That seems to be widow words, "it will do."  I have heard from riends, including some widows too,  across the country who are not doing anything or going anywhere today either.  Then there's one in the hospital.  So it could be worse.  Still, I'm thinking of something I read long ago by Beth Moore, long before I became a widow, reminding me to have faith.   "where is the life I planned....   "

Has someone seen the life I planned?
It seems it's been misplaced.
I've looked in every corner;
It's lost without a trace.

I've found one I don't recognize --
Things missing that were dear;
Promises I'd hoped to keep,
And dreams I'd dreamed aren't here.

Faces I had planned to see,
Hands I planned to hold;
Now absent in the pictures;
Not the way I told.

Has someone seen the life I planned?
Did it get thrown away?
God took my hand from searching;
Then I heard Him say --

"Child, your ears have never heard,
Your eyes have never seen,
Eternal plans I have for you
Are more than you could dream.

You long to walk by sight,
But I'm teaching eyes to see;
I know what I'm doing --
'Till then, you must believe.

He's done so much, I felt ashamed
To know He heard my moans.
To think I'd trade in all He's done
For plans made on my own.

I wept over His faithfulness
And how He'd proved Himself;
How He'd gone beyond my dreams
And said to Him myself,

"No, my ears have never heard,
My eyes have never seen,
Eternal plans You have for me
Are more than I could dream.

"Yes, I long to walk by sight
But You're teaching eyes to see;
You know what You're doing --
'Till then, I must believe.

I felt His great compassion --
Mercy unrestrained.
He let me mourn my losses
And showed to me my gains.

I offered Him my future
And released to Him my past.
I traded in my dreams
For a plan He said would last.

I get no glimpse ahead;
No certainties at all,
Except the presence of the One
Who will not let me fall.

Are you also searching
For a life you planned yourself?
Have you looked in every corner?
Have you checked on every shelf?

Child, your ears have never heard,
Your eyes have never seen,
Eternal plans He has for you
Are more than you could dream.

Perhaps you long to walk by sight,
But He's teaching eyes to see;
He knows what He is doing --
Child, step out and believe.

By Beth Moore      
No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived what God
has prepared for those who love Him.
{1 Corinthians 2:9}

Trying to change the photo on this blog is impossible

 

Well I am frustreated with this blog and once again reminded why I switched to Facebookpostings.  It is faster, easier and nearly everyne I know is there and replies or comments

.   

Back lawn toward house  Summer atolsice June 20, 2025

I wanted to switch the header image to this one but after several attemps, I quit.  I don't have all day to sit here to try to get this to work.  

Catalpas best kept in memories not in the lawn

Catalpa blooms and leaves

 
Some things are better memories than living with and I have decided that the catalpa trees here are like that. I foolishly let them multiply.  Jerry warned me not to but oh no, I figured they would be dandy shade trees out back. Now 5 years later once again he was right and is shaking his head at me from the Beyond.  I wonder how often he thinks, :I tried to tell you, but you wouldn't listen."  

If trees can hear the catalpas must have heard me talking with Woody on Wednesday that they need to be cut down. He is the local guy who cuts down trees. The catalpas threw a tantrum over night with the storm and scattered their white flowers along with some of their tobacco leaves across the back lawn. I'd let some trees grow from seeds that came from the sole catalpa on the back hill it was nostalgia, I grew up on Catalpa St in New Ken, PA.

A couple years ago the landscaper mentioned that catalpa trees are rarely seen around here. I know why now, they

Catalpa on hill behind tthe pines.  

make a mess. Last winter I got disgusted from constantly picking up their tobies, that's what we called their long skinny seed pods. There were thousands and they were ugly over the snow. So I decided enough of that! They must like the back hill because they have multiplied and thrived. If the wind blew downhill maybe they could remain, but it doesn't. It always blows up hill toward the back lawn and house.

Woody had not seen catalpas and was interested in their flowers and leaves. He remarked on the size of the leaves and asked what the trees were good for. I had to admit, "nothing" far as I know. I did some online research and confirmed that.

So they are going to be taken down. No more mess from them, I have plenty to do with leaves falling. And still picking up the whirlybirds from the millions from the vintage maple . .

Tantrum results covering the
ground like snow

Then and now.....

An interesting process on Facebook (FB) is when it recalls a random photo sharred in the past on the day and invites you to update it with a photo of today.  It displays both with a "Then and Now"caption.  Earlier this month it posted  this photo I'd shared of Jerry, two coaches ago in 2014 as he was giving the once over likely in preparation for our departure to who knows where.  This was the Excursion which he said would be the last new one for awhile because he'd finally gotten a diesel.  Well, later in 2016 he'd easily  forget about that when he found the new tag axle 42.5 foot Allegiance.. He was a man of vehicles and over our 54 years together I'd learned that once he saw one he wanted it was going to happen.  He wa persistant.  No matter he'd expand the sjop on our property to make room for them and with the Allegiance he even raised the roof!  He'd do whatever it takes.  The Allegiance would be our last coach and while a castle on wheels, he wouldn't live to really enjoy it as long as planned.  

None of that explanation is needed on FB because I am in touch there with people from my life who stay in touch and who comment.  This was no different.  It's good to have the sharing of memories and validation by others.   Just to keep blogger going for me, I'm sharing here.  

June 2014 Jerry checking over the Excursion in our driveway

In response I posted the first photo from my tablet on that day but now in June 2025. Things are very different. No more coaches. Just me.

 2025  Bench off deck in back yard

I posted this on my page: FB flash from 2014. Two coaches ago, likely preparing to depart, Jerry engaged in his preferred pastime, inspecting and fine-tuning various items. Today, an empty bench in the backyard invites me to sit in solitude with memories. .

FB displays these 2 photos alongside with flourishes, I can't replicate that here on blogger. And just in remebrance, here's the Allegiance, I'd call her Ally. Yes I miss those days and that man, but life goes on and so do I. Not the same, different but on.

June 2017 Ally in her house here, Jerry at the door