cold – Site Title

A Frosty Morning

The rooftops are sprinkled with white and so are the streets this morning. No snow yet but frost was there. It looked cold outside and it was. Brrr!!! I bundled up adding a thick scarf around my neck but no gloves and that was a mistake.

I walked as I usually do taking the same path and as I approached the apple trees, I noticed that the mountain was barely visible. It was shrouded in a haze. Yes, it was cold as I shoved my freezing hands deeper into my coat pockets. Nothing was moving out there, just a big fat crow cawing about something. My guess is, it was complaining about the weather as well. It kept me company for a while until a neighbor came into view with her dog. We stopped, exchanged niceties and the topic turned to our kids. She has twins, a boy and a girl, each one as different as night and day. The girl is dark-haired and the boy a blond. The boy sweet-natured and an absolute sweatheart and the girl, not so much. They are both the same age as my son. The conversation turned to the children and how they were doing. Turns out, I’m not the only one having to deal with the “walking on eggshells” concept. She was having the same problem which made me feel a little bit better. I waved her on and took the other path heading to the fields.

It was quiet, too quiet. The world was still asleep and the “cold” it was now kissing the tip of my nose and it was time to head back. The weather forecast is predicting snow for Saturday. I’m actually looking forward to some snow to get me in the Christmas spirit. My ex told me that our son will be heading home for the holidays. He doesn’t want to stay with me because I have strict rules about letting his friends using my place as party central. The last time it was late nights, lots of noise and a constant run to the bathroom! They are no longer scrawny kids but tall, strapping young men! So, my son has decided to stay at his Oma’s, just a stone’s throw from where I live. I won’t have the hassle and he will still come visit. A win-win situation either way.

It was time for another cup of coffee but Chachi, the cat, just walked in and let out a loud meow! He loves having his mommy at home 24/7 and absolutely hates it when I take off for an hour or two. Spoiled? Absolutely, but I’m not complaining. It is kiss and cuddle time with the little brat!

Have an amazing day.

The First Snowfall

The weather forecast has been predicting snow for the last couple of days along with the temperatures dropping to freezing and sure enough, it came this morning. I was greeted with tiny flakes of snow mixed in with the rain and wind. Snow, beautiful pristine snow that has the ability to grab your attention and to keep it there for awhile. Standing at the kitchen window with the coffee mug in hand, it was a beautiful sight even though it was just a light flurry.

I decided it was a perfect day for soup and cuddle time with my little fur ball. Somehow, he sensed it as well because he kept close, playing my second shadow to the hilt! Once I had the bedcovers changed to flannel ones, he had a field day diving under the blankets and dashing from room to room. He gets that way some days and on other days, he is as quiet as a mouse and spends his time playing Christopher Columbus. Discovery is on his mind and opening drawers another passion of his.

After downing four cups of coffee, it was time to take another look out the window. The weeping willow is swaying with the wind and the snow flakes have all but gone. Rain is still here but according to the weather forecast more snow is on the way but not the kind that will stay for a while or the kind that will turn the landscape into a winter wonderland. It’s too early for that.

However, I would have liked to go walking out in the snow. The rain and wind put a stop to that. Oh well, there will be other days when the fields will be covered in white and magic will happen as winter takes hold and turns the trees into frosted works of art. It will be picture perfect, just needs a little time to get there.

Have an amazing day.

A Frosty Morning

It’s a harbinger of things to come. Looking out the window this morning, I realized that fall or rather the golden days of fall have flown by and in its place we have winter moving in leaps and bounds! The fields are shrouded in fog giving them an air of mystery as they cloak and uncloak in shadows only to reveal themselves in the not so distant future wearing their winter garb that lacks color but still beautiful to behold.

There is a certain something about the changing of seasons. It takes place in an hush hush atmosphere but it is so regimented that it never fails to show up, just a matter of time before a new one walks in taking its rightful place. However, I’m a little sad that the colors of fall were wiped away by the wind, rain and storms. I see one lone tree blazing red in the neighbor’s garden and how it escaped the gale force winds is beyond me but it is a beautiful sight nonetheless.

I’ve got a gardener coming by later today to help bag up the leaves that are lying carpet thick on the ground. The garden looks a mess. The rest of the apples are lying on the ground but it was a bumper crop this year, enough to give away to friends and neighbors. The fig tree was late to the party as usual. The leaves have turned brown but there are still unripe figs on the tree which will have to be thrown away. However, the ripe figs I got off the tree were sweet and juicy but I wish that it will show up earlier next year before the cold makes a showing. The water to the garden has been turned off and once the leaves are raked up, I am all set for winter!

The weather is not cooperating so no walk in nature today. I’ll have to bite the bullet and stay indoors and do something productive. I still have the closets to rearrange, summer stuff to be taken upstairs and stored away and winter stuff brought down. It is a tedious task but needs to be done.

Chachi will have a field day with that. He thinks it is playtime! I’m making Miso soup with tofu, veggies and Kim Chi added in for an extra dose of healthy eating! Seems like the perfect thing for today’s weather. Throw in a workout or two and I’ve got my day planned.

Have an amazing day.

Fall’s Gloomy Face

It marches in with wet boots, ruffled hair and a “I don’t care attitude!” Time to blow the leaves off the trees, turn whatever remains into a palette of breathtaking colors and to brush everything with a golden light when the rain leaves and takes a break.

Saturday was that kind of day. Wet, windy, gloomy and miserable and yet there was a certain kind of magic in the air. A heralding of things to come. One of beauty in a subdued manner.

MG Mason in his piece, “Writing the Seasons: Autumn” describes it beautifully as he captures the essence of fall through his words.

“It is getting colder and darker; leaves are falling from the trees. There is a chill in the air overnight, frost on the ground in the morning, mist and fog in the air. Dry, dead leaves crunch beneath your feet and clouds appear when you breathe out. There is still a lingering warmth but always a constant reminder of the cold to come.”

Fall has its moments as it prepares to make a showing but it is all part and parcel of the season. There has to be moments of unrest as it prepares to show its clout when it finally arrives and makes a show-stopping display. I, for one, can’t wait to see its full beauty as it steps out wearing its dress of many colors.

The rain has stopped but there is a definite chill in the air. The wind is picking up speed as the trees sway back and forth creating music of their own. In a way, there is a little sadness as summer waves goodbye and moves on to make way for another season to step in. It is only a matter of time before we welcome the beauty of fall, glorious fall, with colors that will take your breath away.

It is one of my favorite seasons.

Have an amazing Sunday.

Men in Black

I’m not talking about secret agents who monitor and police extraterrestrials but the kind who have another job altogether. In Europe, they are known as chimney sweeps and they are dressed all in black as they show up every year without fail to make sure that your chimney is in the best shape possible and all set for the colder months ahead.

My chimney had its checkup yesterday and it passed with flying colors! It’s because I didn’t use it last year. Why? I don’t know, probably because I was too lazy to start up a fire in the fireplace and or because I didn’t spend a lot of time in the downstairs area. I had got the wooden logs set up but never lit them. I told the chimney sweep that and he said, “I can see that. I still have to check and make sure that everything is in working condition.” He looked up the chute with a flashlight and headed on outside where the opening for the chute was. He opened it and there were some ashes in there. How it got there, I don’t know. He cleaned out the chute with a long-handled brush and everything was ready to go.

He’s a regular and usually shows up here with another guy but this time he was alone.

HIM: “You’re all set for this year. I wish you a nice day, see you next year and stay healthy.”

WHAT?!!

I gulped and stared at him wondering if he saw something I didn’t! Did I look ill? Why that remark about health? As you know, I’ve posted about my upcoming test and how it is affecting my daily existence so his remark went a little deeper than it should have. They don’t call me a hypochondriac for nothing! I was dying to ask him why he made that last remark but bit my tongue. I wished him a good day and with a smile he took off to his next appointment.

It has been said in these parts that chimney sweeps bring good luck. “People believe that seeing a chimney sweep, shaking their hand, or even having one attend a wedding brings good fortune and prosperity.” Hmm…..I could use some good luck right about now so maybe some has rubbed off on me! I can only hope and come to think of it, I should have shaken his hand or given him a big hug just to get a little closer and have that magic dust rub off on me!

Have an amazing day.

Downtime

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

“How long will my DOWNTIME be?” Unknown

I don’t know folks but I’m down for the count! It started two days ago, just a feeling of lethargy, taking naps in the afternoons which I never do and my body telling me all is not well.

I’m healthy most days so I don’t take such feelings seriously, just a glitch in my paradigm and all will be alright again. However, it had no intention of leaving. Whatever was ailing me had every intention of staying and it wasn’t going to take “NO” for an answer.

This morning I woke up with a slight sorethroat and a feeling that something was taking hold. Soup! That was the first thing that popped into my mind. It was my mom’s go to for colds, stomachaches and everything else and it usually worked fine. I’ve got a big pot going, enough to last a few days and I added spinach to ward off whatever had taken hold. If it worked for Popeye, it should work for me right? Afterall, spinach has been promoted as a source of strength and good health. Well, it shouldn’t hurt and that’s the point here.

The sun is shining out there but I’m bundled up like a “snow bunny.” Mom used to say, “Sweat it out!” She meant the bacteria or rather the germs or she must have known about the Native American sweat lodges which were used for healing and spiritual cleansing. Anyway, her method worked before and I’m throwing it in for good measure. So, I’m covered from head to toe and Chachi, the cat is giving me strange looks. “She’s frightening!!” is what those looks say. I don’t give a flying flip is my answer. I get grumpy when I’m not feeling well.

Anyway, I’ve got an, “Out of Order” sticker on my forehead and I’m crawling back into bed! Chachi doesn’t understand this at all. “We just got up mommy! I can’t believe this!” Whatever, I’m not letting things bug me either and that includes little fur ball!

Have an amazing day.

The Tease Update

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com

I woke up this morning hoping to see the streets and rooftops covered in white but no luck there! “Magic” was what I was expecting but the weather decided otherwise and the forecasters were wrong again!

What a tease?!! Promise of snow has been in the forecast for the last few days but each time I get my hopes high and think tomorrow is the day I’m going to take the first walk of this year and be welcomed by snow-covered fields has amounted to nothing but disappointment.

I love SNOW! Let me take that back. I love snow as long as it is not accompanied by ice. I love the soft powdery kind that looks like icing on the cake and is sprinkled thick over the fields covering them in white, blinding white for as far as the eyes can see. A pristine and serene landscape that captures the imagination and takes off running to parts unknown. At least mine does but then again I have an overactive imagination.

So far, we’ve had a light smattering of snow in December but when I headed out to the fields most of it had melted and the pathways were a wintry mix of snow and mud, not my idea of “magic” folks.

We don’t get much snow in these parts. If we’re lucky, we might get some heavy snowfall two or three times during winter and that is it. I’m still waiting for it to dump some heavy duty snow but all it has done so far is to “tease” with promises of more to come. This morning I walked out the front door and a few flakes greeted my unbelieving eyes and hope springs eternal but alas, it was not to be. The sun is shining brightly now and those itsy bitsy tiny flakes were a tease as well!

I guess it will come when it is good and ready and not a moment sooner. Here’s the thing, the forecast says snow this weekend! Hmm…..not buying it until it shows up wearing bells and brings snow drifts to boot! It’s a wait and see approach now AND the “teasing” has got to stop! Put the snow where it belongs, right there in the fields and I’ll be quiet for a change. Please ! Pretty please!!

Update:

I guess it (the weather) decided to let me have what I was hoping for but on its terms! We got lots of snow during the night and I was up bright and early ready to tackle the day meaning in these parts when there is snow you need to get out there and clear up the sidewalk and salt them as well. I was ready and willing since I wanted to go walking in the fields afterwards and revel in the wonder of a snow-covered fantasy. I bundled up and headed out only to find that it was raining as well! Hmm…what a tease!! I guess it (the weather) thumped its nose saying, I’ve still got the upper hand! Oh well, no walk today since it is still raining and the forecast is rain for most of the day. I’ll leave it at that and it’s time for another cup of coffee.

Have an amazing day.