If I ignore it, will it go away?

Dark Horse Comics is located about two miles away. They were instrumental inbringing back some of the good old comic-book pizazz to movies, and have a couple of full size characters in their store-front window. I couldn't get any sort of photo of Sigorny Weaver's nemisis, the Alien, but here's Predator in a Santa cap. Rather emblematic of this spell of weather we are enjoying. Hohoho. Put on some Christmas spirit, and it's still fairly deadly.


We had a few inches of snow, then we got some freezing rain. A fair ammount of freezing rain. In fact, here is a chunk of freezing rain from off the top of our snow. (We hates it, we does!) squirrels, cats, and small children could scamper about on top of this icy crust. Larger children and adults would break through and sink four inches into the powder beneath. I noticed a hole in the sheet of white in the yard. The photos don't do it justice, so let's turn on the screen of our imaginations: Visualize a sheet of ice coating the backyard like lineoleum made with powdered diamonds. Now imagine a gopher-sized hole sort of toward the center of this immaculate surface. As I stood, gazing in wonder at the hole, a squirrel skittered down a nearby tree, skidded over to the hole, and thrust his head and forepaws deep into its recesses. Then he sat up, busily rearranged things in his mouth, and shoved his head back into the hole. The light dawned in my head. I had put a plate of birdseed out before the snow fell. Squirrels love birdseed. He had remembered where it was, had excavated his way down to it, and was industriously filling his larder with the bounty, cramming his face, runnng off to his nest, emptying the goodies, and running back. He has a brain about the size of a lima bean. His cheek pouches are probably larger than his entire brain. How could he (she?) remember so perfectly? Well, good cess to him.

I have birdseed scattered on the front porch where the snow doesn't fall and the cats can watch the feasters through the windows.


Today, the snow has continued. We are breaking records. This is definitely a once in a decade storm, and working it's way up to best in the past fifty years. DH saddled up and rode out like the western hero he is, and then was thoughtful enough to call me and let me know that he made it safe and sound to work. He is a prince among men!

On the whole, I would prefer to be in Na'alehu at the Punuluu bakery, eating lilikoi and drinking superb Hawaiian tea. One of the local college teams played some sporting event in Hawaii and are now stuck there since so many flights have been cancelled. Bummer. Poor them!

But thank God for dear friends! Janette in Oz has sent me a fabulous, extremely generous gift of three skeins of blue/purple/brownish Fleece Artist yarn and a glorious, gorgeous shawl pin. (The 22nd is HER birthday, and I'm getting presents. Go figure.) I have cuddled this yarn, rubbed it against my skin, and just about taken it to bed with me. It's yummy!!

Now I am going to spin and watch Fred Astair musicals and think warm thoughts. I would never, never have made it as a pioneer. I am SO grateful for electronic communications and distractions! Stay warm, stay safe and let me know how it is in your baliwick.