Sunday Feb.16 2003 - 11:32 p.m.
Not too much to write about. We're getting the ice storm that was predicted, though the ice isn't as bad as it could have been. I heard it start in last night with the freezing rain, sleet, hitting the windows. It was nice to go to sleep to, and I was glad that I didn't have to go out today.
By morning there was a layer of snow on the ground. It's been snowing and blowing steadily all day long. Norm shoveled a path on the porch, but you have to be careful treading on the slippery snow and ice underneath it all. The wind chill was 0* this morning, don't know what it is now.
Brenda and Steph braved it and surprised us. They had to go out for gas and other things before it gets any worse tomorrow. They came in all excited at beating the elements. So we had cappuccino and Steph had hot chocolate and they warmed up by the fire before they had to scrape off their car again to go home. I just don't see how the schools will be open tomorrow, doesn't seem that the buses will be able to get through the country roads.
I kept sweeping off the little side porch where I feed the Ladies who
live under the house, they are wild, and went out before supper while it
was still light to fill their plates again, and darn if the storm door
didn't catch and lock on me! Now, all through the years I have at
different times, locked those little latches on the storm/screen doors,
and the guys will come up, give it a yank, and pop there goes the
lock...never to lock again....but do you think that this would do that?
noooo.....I stood out there and yanked and yanked and yanked and made
the most horrific noise, but Norm never hears anything anyway...and the
wind was blowing and the snow was flying, .and finally gave up and
trekked through the snow around to the front door and so in......Norm had
been in the bathroom and said he heard the door, but.....sigh....
well, no harm done.
Scott called yesterday morning to say that they had been hit with the ice storm. They were right in the path of it, so they knew they were going to get it and laid in a supply of goodies and batteries. Kathy called too to say that they were getting the snow, just blowing sideways. She had to get out because Jacob wanted to go to the hobby shop, but she said driving was treacherous, she was glad to get back home again.
Friday night we went out to eat fish at the Midway with SILs and BILs, Art and Anita, and Pat and Darrell, Norm's two brothers. The guys were talking war so loudly that we could hardly hear each other talk. Have I mentioned that I live with a war hawk? Makes conversation difficult.
Yesterday Brenda went to Springfield with her brother, and her niece and husband, for her stepmom's funeral. It was a trip from hell, and not only due to the weather. She was very upset at the whole situation. Coming home they drove through a whiteout which was scary enough. A car passed them and then slid off in the ditch. They stopped to help, though Brother didn't want to, and Brenda called 911. She was so glad to get back home early afternoon, and vowed never again.
I started reading From the Orange Mailbox by A. Carmen Clark, a woman in her mid-eighties, who writes from her farm in Maine.
Today is brother Mike's 61st birthday. I think I'll call him now and visit with all of them a bit. He's been feeling pretty well, said he had a super day, day before yesterday. The girls came over and they all had a good visit.
Later: The first time I called they had gone to the commissary, and the second time, he had just fallen asleep, and he needs his sleep. We talked on messenger this evening, and he said they went over to Maria's, his ex-wife, yesterday and had the best time. They bar-b-qued and made a cake for his birthday. His son, Morgan, flew in from Chicago to surprise him. And Y/S Billy, called today too. He's feeling well, and only has some breakthrough pain now and then. Vickie fixes him a big breakfast and keeps food in front of him all day long, he says. So he's enjoying life down there in the sun. And that's a good thing.
