Recently I read on face book someone who posted about feeling their street has not been properly and fully plowed.She felt the town should come and do a better job.
Another person replied that she should called the local Town Hall and speak with the foreman to explain her whoas to him/her.
I'm not sure where people have been but this has not been a normal winter,here in New England.
We have been having excess amounts of snow and our snow removal personal,at least in my town,are doing the best they can,not just with plowing but also with removal of said offending snow,so now one may come to a stop sign and see oncoming traffic.
Tomorrow is Tuesday and we are to have at least several more days of not just snow but also rain and ice.
I know that I'm tired of shoveling and driving through this multiple weekly on slaught and can just imagine how our plow truck drivers are feeling at this point.
I may be one of those,who in the spring,when I see a town truck sitting on the side of the road,with the driver not working,am first to feel my tax dollars are being ill used,but not so this month.
I'm sure most of these folks have worked at least 60 hours this week and are looking toward another 60 in the next several days,and would like a break too.
I work at a service oriented job and understand all to well peoples lack of patience with what seems to be slowness on the part of the server,but I can assure you it is not so on my end,as the provider.
We live in an instant world that demands all peoples needs be met in full, in more then a timely manor,has if those providing a service are some how our slaves.
No one wants to be put out and absolutely no one wants to wait on anything.
We are lucky to live in a country where such rudeness on the part of the consumer is tolerated.
Not so many years ago in Russia people would be forced to wait,outside, in lines for hours to enter a store and not even know what they would be able to buy until it was their turn.
We are an ungrateful self centered nation and as such are becoming ugly Americans in our own country.
Be kind,take a minute and truly be grateful to a service person who has done for you,not only what you have asked of them,but more.
Thank the cashiers,clerks,medical attendants,food handlers and yes, town works when they do their job and do it well.
Show you appreciate all they do for you,tell them "thank you for making my life better."
No one wants to feel unappreciated and those may be the first kind words these hard working people may have heard all day.
Do to others as you would want them to do to you,because how you measure others will be how you will be measured when your day of judgement comes.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
What's Your Hurry People?
So this morning when I got up and left the house,I had the joy of trying to figure out how to get out of my driveway and down the street.
We have so much snow here that all we have left for space on our street is an area big enough for one car.
The snow piles are so high you can not even see around them,so backing out of the drive way is a gamble,at best.
Thank God for four wheel drive and snow tires.
After doing a 10 point turn I finally made my way out of this tundra we call my street.
Once on the road things went pretty well except my gas pedal was reluctant to be pushed down,but How could I blame the vehicle,because I was in no hurry myself.
With heat on and gloves still half wet,from yesterdays shoveling,I made it to Main Street in Webster Mass.
I decided to take School Street which was to be my final destination.
Unfortunately when I turned onto said street a School Bus was trying to pass a garbage truck with no success,mostly because there was more snow piles then road.
Deciding to try my luck else where,I backed up then drove farther onto Main Street,picking up a road by the neighborhood school and grabbing a couple of secondary,or thirdary streets.
Driving was tight to say the least,with enough room for one and a half cars,not two.
Now I don't know why people are in such a rush but I was always taught in drivers education that the car on the straight away has the right of away,not those coming off a side streets.
First someone tried to run through a stop sign,but luckily my four wheel drive kept on moving,then someone tried to head on down a main road,onto this street while I was trying to get up a hill.
Putting me in the position of backing down into a small parking lot,which naturally,this person was trying to get to.
Ah well safe at work and parked behind a snow pile,taller then me,I decided to just get into my work place.
At 5 pm,on my way home I stopped at a gas station and once again had to preform my now popular ten point turn,which by the way I have perfected,just for these tight situations.
Home again,home again,how happy I was. Deciding that backing into the drive way would be good for my exit in the am.
With confidence high and only 5 tries my car was safely fitted into it's now cocoon.
Rather proud of myself I swung open the door and stepped into about 3 feet of snow, which I now navigated through to get to my front steps.
Tomorrow morning the plan is to get in on the passenger side then climb over the seat,thus missing the snow pile all together.
Oh boy two more mornings of interesting driving,since its my weekend on.
Suddenly I think I need some Excedrin I'm feeling a migraine coming on... ouch...
We have so much snow here that all we have left for space on our street is an area big enough for one car.
The snow piles are so high you can not even see around them,so backing out of the drive way is a gamble,at best.
Thank God for four wheel drive and snow tires.
After doing a 10 point turn I finally made my way out of this tundra we call my street.
Once on the road things went pretty well except my gas pedal was reluctant to be pushed down,but How could I blame the vehicle,because I was in no hurry myself.
With heat on and gloves still half wet,from yesterdays shoveling,I made it to Main Street in Webster Mass.
I decided to take School Street which was to be my final destination.
Unfortunately when I turned onto said street a School Bus was trying to pass a garbage truck with no success,mostly because there was more snow piles then road.
Deciding to try my luck else where,I backed up then drove farther onto Main Street,picking up a road by the neighborhood school and grabbing a couple of secondary,or thirdary streets.
Driving was tight to say the least,with enough room for one and a half cars,not two.
Now I don't know why people are in such a rush but I was always taught in drivers education that the car on the straight away has the right of away,not those coming off a side streets.
First someone tried to run through a stop sign,but luckily my four wheel drive kept on moving,then someone tried to head on down a main road,onto this street while I was trying to get up a hill.
Putting me in the position of backing down into a small parking lot,which naturally,this person was trying to get to.
Ah well safe at work and parked behind a snow pile,taller then me,I decided to just get into my work place.
At 5 pm,on my way home I stopped at a gas station and once again had to preform my now popular ten point turn,which by the way I have perfected,just for these tight situations.
Home again,home again,how happy I was. Deciding that backing into the drive way would be good for my exit in the am.
With confidence high and only 5 tries my car was safely fitted into it's now cocoon.
Rather proud of myself I swung open the door and stepped into about 3 feet of snow, which I now navigated through to get to my front steps.
Tomorrow morning the plan is to get in on the passenger side then climb over the seat,thus missing the snow pile all together.
Oh boy two more mornings of interesting driving,since its my weekend on.
Suddenly I think I need some Excedrin I'm feeling a migraine coming on... ouch...
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Feeding The Birds
Today I awoke to hear my neighbor and my husband talking to each other while outside shoveling.
My neighbor said "my God its like an avalanche out here,you plow the snow up on the pile and it slides down the mound back into the driveway."
With those words I decided it must have been quite the storm and when I opened the front door and saw what looked like another 8 inches,decided it was.
All right time to put on my snow clothes and head outside,to tackle what lay ahead.
In the driveway my husband stood,with shovel in hand,looking absolutely helpless,has this metal behemoth,called the town snow plow pushed its load down the street,filling in the efforts this poor man had just spend over a half hour hand shoveling.
Well this was no time to be a defeatist,I aroused my son from bed,then went back outside with my shovel,this was not a time to give up the ship,even if it felt like our spirits were sinking,like the proverbial barge itself.
The fact that there was no place to throw the stuff,since the piles now exceed five feet in height,did not detour our valiant effort.
Like a general rallying his troops to action,forward men was our cry,we will not give in to the battle ahead,we are stronger then this simple pile of snow flakes could ever be.
With in an hour we had uncovered our modest,yet thankfully small driveway,front steps and two cars,as the sun began to shine,as if by schedule.
With outdoor task finished it was time for a well deserved cup of hot coffee and some blueberry pancakes.
From the kitchen window our yard looked like a barren wasteland of whiteness.The park bench,with its beautiful metal scroll work on the back support,now all but covered except for the very top rail and our bird feeders empty,with 6 inches of snow filling each seed tray.
Very sad and very lonely indeed.
I called my dog and we decided to try and fill the feeders with seeds,this was really more my idea then hers but she seemed happy enough to follow me no matter where I led.
Has I grabbed my bag filled with seeds and walked over to the edge of the driveway, The problem of how I was to step into 3 to 4 feet of snow now became an issue.
ooh for snow shoes.
Not wanting my poor feathery friends to go hungry I decided the best way in was one foot at a time.
For most people who know me I stand about 6 feet tall,snow up to my knees and thighs,means its very much on the high side.
But the decision was made and like the first step on the moon there was no turning back from my appointed errand
Slowly moving like a tug boat through a muddy lake I was able to fill each feeder and then trudge back to the edge of the driveway for much needed safety and thankfully, firm ground.
I always worry about these poor little birds,who take such joy in these full feeders.
The sight of watching them happily stuff their little fat beaks makes me understand why Jesus spoke so lovingly of these simple creatures.
Many times I think how much God loves these small feathery creations of his.
The sounds they make can bring such peace to the world and their simple colors such brightness.
Solomon and all his glory was not arrayed as one of these.
For my small effort of feeding the least of God creatures,I gain a banquet of peace and joy.
A hand full of seeds is a small price to pay for such tranquility.
My neighbor said "my God its like an avalanche out here,you plow the snow up on the pile and it slides down the mound back into the driveway."
With those words I decided it must have been quite the storm and when I opened the front door and saw what looked like another 8 inches,decided it was.
All right time to put on my snow clothes and head outside,to tackle what lay ahead.
In the driveway my husband stood,with shovel in hand,looking absolutely helpless,has this metal behemoth,called the town snow plow pushed its load down the street,filling in the efforts this poor man had just spend over a half hour hand shoveling.
Well this was no time to be a defeatist,I aroused my son from bed,then went back outside with my shovel,this was not a time to give up the ship,even if it felt like our spirits were sinking,like the proverbial barge itself.
The fact that there was no place to throw the stuff,since the piles now exceed five feet in height,did not detour our valiant effort.
Like a general rallying his troops to action,forward men was our cry,we will not give in to the battle ahead,we are stronger then this simple pile of snow flakes could ever be.
With in an hour we had uncovered our modest,yet thankfully small driveway,front steps and two cars,as the sun began to shine,as if by schedule.
With outdoor task finished it was time for a well deserved cup of hot coffee and some blueberry pancakes.
From the kitchen window our yard looked like a barren wasteland of whiteness.The park bench,with its beautiful metal scroll work on the back support,now all but covered except for the very top rail and our bird feeders empty,with 6 inches of snow filling each seed tray.
Very sad and very lonely indeed.
I called my dog and we decided to try and fill the feeders with seeds,this was really more my idea then hers but she seemed happy enough to follow me no matter where I led.
Has I grabbed my bag filled with seeds and walked over to the edge of the driveway, The problem of how I was to step into 3 to 4 feet of snow now became an issue.
ooh for snow shoes.
Not wanting my poor feathery friends to go hungry I decided the best way in was one foot at a time.
For most people who know me I stand about 6 feet tall,snow up to my knees and thighs,means its very much on the high side.
But the decision was made and like the first step on the moon there was no turning back from my appointed errand
Slowly moving like a tug boat through a muddy lake I was able to fill each feeder and then trudge back to the edge of the driveway for much needed safety and thankfully, firm ground.
I always worry about these poor little birds,who take such joy in these full feeders.
The sight of watching them happily stuff their little fat beaks makes me understand why Jesus spoke so lovingly of these simple creatures.
Many times I think how much God loves these small feathery creations of his.
The sounds they make can bring such peace to the world and their simple colors such brightness.
Solomon and all his glory was not arrayed as one of these.
For my small effort of feeding the least of God creatures,I gain a banquet of peace and joy.
A hand full of seeds is a small price to pay for such tranquility.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Here Comes The Sun
"Little darling its been a long,long lonely winter..little darling it seems like years since its been here.Here comes the sun,here comes the sun,its alright..."
With all this white stuff everywhere I have to admit in the late morning,has I open the curtains its so nice to see the sun.
There is something just so wonderful about the sunbeams shining into our newly opened rooms,it can fool you into thinking maybe its not as cold as it all looks..
Watching the icicles drip and the driveway begin to puddle reminds us that there may soon be some let up..
Nothing makes us feel more light hearted then the look of ice sparkling in the sunshine.
I am a sun person at heart,even when its cold outside,just standing in the sun rays gives us the illusion that we are really warm,if only deep in our spiritual core.
I always think that God himself is smiling down on us and purifying our eyesight to what his real beauty is all about.
Snow can look lovely but add the sun and it almost shimmers and glows,like a diamond.
In another week we will be out of the month of January,soon February will be on our door step then the month of March,as each day goes by we will feel the warm illumination of sunlight.
Spring will be here and the crocuses will be popping their heads through the cold ground trying each day to reach their tiny leaves and petals up toward the sky,has if believing if they stretch far enough they could touch the very surface of the sun itself.
How exciting seeing the days change filled with warmth and sunshine.
My husband was born on March 1st and his birthday says that the sign of Pieces the two fish ends the winter months and starts Spring.
How beautiful to be born at the end of Winter with Spring ahead of you all sun light and promise for new life that's about to unfold.
So although we are still looking at today's' storm,with another coming by Wednesday night,we know that the sunshine brings us promise every day that spring can not be far away.
In several weeks Valentines day will be here,love in the air and red roses in the stores.The bright bold colors of reds and pinks breaking through the ever expanding stock pile of whiteness which seems to go on forever.
When you begin to feel sad,from January to March just remember...Here comes the sun....here comes the sun..its alright..dooo dooo doooo dooooo..do
With all this white stuff everywhere I have to admit in the late morning,has I open the curtains its so nice to see the sun.
There is something just so wonderful about the sunbeams shining into our newly opened rooms,it can fool you into thinking maybe its not as cold as it all looks..
Watching the icicles drip and the driveway begin to puddle reminds us that there may soon be some let up..
Nothing makes us feel more light hearted then the look of ice sparkling in the sunshine.
I am a sun person at heart,even when its cold outside,just standing in the sun rays gives us the illusion that we are really warm,if only deep in our spiritual core.
I always think that God himself is smiling down on us and purifying our eyesight to what his real beauty is all about.
Snow can look lovely but add the sun and it almost shimmers and glows,like a diamond.
In another week we will be out of the month of January,soon February will be on our door step then the month of March,as each day goes by we will feel the warm illumination of sunlight.
Spring will be here and the crocuses will be popping their heads through the cold ground trying each day to reach their tiny leaves and petals up toward the sky,has if believing if they stretch far enough they could touch the very surface of the sun itself.
How exciting seeing the days change filled with warmth and sunshine.
My husband was born on March 1st and his birthday says that the sign of Pieces the two fish ends the winter months and starts Spring.
How beautiful to be born at the end of Winter with Spring ahead of you all sun light and promise for new life that's about to unfold.
So although we are still looking at today's' storm,with another coming by Wednesday night,we know that the sunshine brings us promise every day that spring can not be far away.
In several weeks Valentines day will be here,love in the air and red roses in the stores.The bright bold colors of reds and pinks breaking through the ever expanding stock pile of whiteness which seems to go on forever.
When you begin to feel sad,from January to March just remember...Here comes the sun....here comes the sun..its alright..dooo dooo doooo dooooo..do
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Worst Winter....
O.K. we all know its cold here and yes we all know we may have more snow next week,but can the media please stop with the constant updates and interviews with unhappy people who have to make their way from their house to their car and vice versa.
I don't know where all these people come from,but every time we have a storm they have never, in their whole lives, seen such bad weather.
I was around during the storm of 1978 and can tell you,first hand,that was a bad storm.
We live in New England and as such we understand that snow,ice,and extreme low temperatures are what we look forward to at this time of year.
I must say it does not lift my spirits when the media has nothing better to do then cry about how cold and snowy it is.
Guess what folks buck up! and stop crying!
Be grateful you have a warm house to go to and hot food on your table.
Be glad there are plows to plow the roads to get you to work,at least you have a job to go to.
I don't mean to sound angry but stop crying already and realize we have no control over the weather so move forward.
I have lived in Connecticut all my life and yes we have snow and ice and temperatures do go below zero,its winter,not global warming ,and these things happen.
In a few months this will only be a bad memory.
The fact that we are able to complain with no thought to those who go with out, shows just how self centered and spoiled we really are.
Take a minute and be grateful that you are sleeping on the inside of a warm building and not on the outside on a street corner.
If the media wants to put some effort into something worth wild,instead of measuring the number of inches we are getting in snow every hour why don't they tally up the number of people trying to keep warm under a cardboard box of stack of newspapers,then they would truly have something to feel upset about.
I know it upsets me!
I don't know where all these people come from,but every time we have a storm they have never, in their whole lives, seen such bad weather.
I was around during the storm of 1978 and can tell you,first hand,that was a bad storm.
We live in New England and as such we understand that snow,ice,and extreme low temperatures are what we look forward to at this time of year.
I must say it does not lift my spirits when the media has nothing better to do then cry about how cold and snowy it is.
Guess what folks buck up! and stop crying!
Be grateful you have a warm house to go to and hot food on your table.
Be glad there are plows to plow the roads to get you to work,at least you have a job to go to.
I don't mean to sound angry but stop crying already and realize we have no control over the weather so move forward.
I have lived in Connecticut all my life and yes we have snow and ice and temperatures do go below zero,its winter,not global warming ,and these things happen.
In a few months this will only be a bad memory.
The fact that we are able to complain with no thought to those who go with out, shows just how self centered and spoiled we really are.
Take a minute and be grateful that you are sleeping on the inside of a warm building and not on the outside on a street corner.
If the media wants to put some effort into something worth wild,instead of measuring the number of inches we are getting in snow every hour why don't they tally up the number of people trying to keep warm under a cardboard box of stack of newspapers,then they would truly have something to feel upset about.
I know it upsets me!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Groceries And A Budget
Tonight while scanning through all the super market fliers,depression began to set in at my realization that these "sales prices" where regular prices not so many months ago.
Back when my son was small and money was very tight,I had a fixed budget and every week needed to figure out how to stretch each and every dollar to the fullest,at that time there was no such thing as extra money,so being exact was important or embarrassment would occur at the check out.
As times got better and money became more accessible,the need to budget became less and less.
With the start of this new year and the desire to spend less and bank more,I have decided to try to go back to my old habits and see if I can once again tighten up the food purse strings.
Now this is more of a challenge then it may seem because with my need to spend less also comes my desire to eat better.
Seven years ago when my mother passed away from colon cancer it became my aim to eat more organically especially when it comes to meats,vegetables and fruits.
But with all these beneficial foods comes a very large price tag.
Funny what man puts in as additives cost less then what Mother Nature refuses to incorporate.
I have heard many educated,well meaning,people say that those who are low in income need to eat better,they need to buy healthy foods not junk.
I can tell you from experience that foods high in white flours and additives are much cheaper and more easily accessible to the low income folks then fresh and organic foods,especially when you have a family to feed and other bills to pay.
Today I have determined that the time has now come for not only a budget but also a plan.
No more just going to one store to buy food,multiple stores in close proximity to each other may now be needed.
Back to reading store fliers and carefully choosing sales prices from each. Coupons,which though difficult to find with organic food stuff,are not completely impossible.
More time each week spent figuring out meal plans and desserts,buying only what is really needed and cooking with items on sale that week,not to mention making and freezing extra,while prices and supplies are available.
Time to make more things from scratch and buy less expensive premade things.
And last but not least using up what we already have on hand.
Being Orthodox comes in handy,in this area since we do not eat meat two times a week,so beans and soup may now be in our future since fish prices are very expensive this time of year and pretty much out of our reach for awhile.
So we will see how successful this new plan will be,if money can be saved or if just held close to a workable budget,that will be a good thing.
In several years I plan to retire and the more cash I can put away the sooner that dream can be realized.
Its always good to aim for the future,while living in the present.
Back when my son was small and money was very tight,I had a fixed budget and every week needed to figure out how to stretch each and every dollar to the fullest,at that time there was no such thing as extra money,so being exact was important or embarrassment would occur at the check out.
As times got better and money became more accessible,the need to budget became less and less.
With the start of this new year and the desire to spend less and bank more,I have decided to try to go back to my old habits and see if I can once again tighten up the food purse strings.
Now this is more of a challenge then it may seem because with my need to spend less also comes my desire to eat better.
Seven years ago when my mother passed away from colon cancer it became my aim to eat more organically especially when it comes to meats,vegetables and fruits.
But with all these beneficial foods comes a very large price tag.
Funny what man puts in as additives cost less then what Mother Nature refuses to incorporate.
I have heard many educated,well meaning,people say that those who are low in income need to eat better,they need to buy healthy foods not junk.
I can tell you from experience that foods high in white flours and additives are much cheaper and more easily accessible to the low income folks then fresh and organic foods,especially when you have a family to feed and other bills to pay.
Today I have determined that the time has now come for not only a budget but also a plan.
No more just going to one store to buy food,multiple stores in close proximity to each other may now be needed.
Back to reading store fliers and carefully choosing sales prices from each. Coupons,which though difficult to find with organic food stuff,are not completely impossible.
More time each week spent figuring out meal plans and desserts,buying only what is really needed and cooking with items on sale that week,not to mention making and freezing extra,while prices and supplies are available.
Time to make more things from scratch and buy less expensive premade things.
And last but not least using up what we already have on hand.
Being Orthodox comes in handy,in this area since we do not eat meat two times a week,so beans and soup may now be in our future since fish prices are very expensive this time of year and pretty much out of our reach for awhile.
So we will see how successful this new plan will be,if money can be saved or if just held close to a workable budget,that will be a good thing.
In several years I plan to retire and the more cash I can put away the sooner that dream can be realized.
Its always good to aim for the future,while living in the present.
January Joy
I must start by telling you that January is not my favorite month of the year,even though my son was born on the 12Th and our anniversary is the 8Th,it still does not rank up there with my idea of the best of months.
This morning I awoke to the sound of a snow plow rattling down our lonely dead end street,both comforting,yet annoying at the same time.
So far,this has been a very long 21 days and if weather updates hold true,the next few weeks show no mercy of letting up on us,here in New England.
Seems we have had snow since almost week one,of this frigid month and with the height of the snow banks ever growing,my joy for life seems to be quickly melting.
Will spring never show its flowery,sunny,warm face again?
Has I stumbled down the stairs to the parlor,trying not to trip over our excited Lab,I ventured to the kitchen to start my day with a cup of Java and some toast.
Looking out the window the white fluffy snow seemed to rain from the heavens like a slow avalanche starting its slide down the mountains and we,the little house at the base,just waiting for its eventual depth to entomb us,in dark whiteness.
The scattering winds swirling the light fluffiness of the flakes in tidal waves of circles, like an out of control snow globe,being repeatedly turned in all directions,more upside down then right side up.
What sort of day could this frost laden dismal wonderland bring for me.
The bird feeders empty,the steps icy,the driveway filled with snow and a wind chill factor almost Alaskan like.
From my kitchen window I spyed a neighboring tree limb with two large seemingly well fed red cardinals near the empty feeders.
Oh joy of joys.
I don't know what it is about these red little creatures that can bring a song of happiness over my being,but they do.
Suddenly the sun began to shine brighter and the green from my peace plant sitting on a nearby table,made me feel as if life had returned to what seemed,a few seconds ago like a dismal white out.
After changing into my winter clothes,my dog and I decided to venture through the ever increasing piles of snow to the empty bird feeders to fill and restock all their out door treats.
Then to the drive way and steps much in need of cleaning and shoveling,A smile came to my face has I thought about one of my resolutions to increase my activity levels,personally the thought of more walking came to mind back then,not more shoveling.
Oh well cardio is cardio.
With my out door chores complete it was time to call my friend,whom I had not spoken to in over a week and see if she had made it through the past week of snow,ice and rain.
Conversations with friends are always nice and today's was no different,we both agreed spring could not come soon enough and discussed our future plans of travel,fitness and activities.
After having lunch it caught my eye that my two miniature sunflower plants,which I planned back in the first week of this month,were now about one inch tall and seemed surprisingly healthy,soon there will be several sunny flowers in the house.
January can be a hard month,what with the snow,ice,rain,cold and just plain dreariness it requires us to be our own joy makers.
We are forced during this month to live with ourselves and think of things that can bring a simple smile to our faces.
I think as I clean today I will make plans to brighten up this beige looking place.
inspirations of yellow,greens,pinks and blues need to begin to make an appearance in this lack luster place.
Maybe its time to bring the outdoor colors and feelings indoors,what mother nature can not do for us at present we need to attempt to do for ourselves.
With the sun shining through the windows and the birds dive bombing the feeders out side it is now time to review January and make it as happy a month as any other.
This morning my husband said "I can't wait til March,this snow is ridiculous."
I told him something my mother used to say to us when we were impatient children.."stop wishing your life away,it will come soon enough".
Now that I am older and she is no longer here,those words ring so much more true to me then they ever did.
Awaken your senses to smells,sights,touches and taste and live in the present.
None of us is guaranteed a future.
Have a cup of herbal tea,light a scented candle,sit back and listen to what is around you and realize today is a perfect day,one made by God himself.
Rejoice and be Glad.
This morning I awoke to the sound of a snow plow rattling down our lonely dead end street,both comforting,yet annoying at the same time.
So far,this has been a very long 21 days and if weather updates hold true,the next few weeks show no mercy of letting up on us,here in New England.
Seems we have had snow since almost week one,of this frigid month and with the height of the snow banks ever growing,my joy for life seems to be quickly melting.
Will spring never show its flowery,sunny,warm face again?
Has I stumbled down the stairs to the parlor,trying not to trip over our excited Lab,I ventured to the kitchen to start my day with a cup of Java and some toast.
Looking out the window the white fluffy snow seemed to rain from the heavens like a slow avalanche starting its slide down the mountains and we,the little house at the base,just waiting for its eventual depth to entomb us,in dark whiteness.
The scattering winds swirling the light fluffiness of the flakes in tidal waves of circles, like an out of control snow globe,being repeatedly turned in all directions,more upside down then right side up.
What sort of day could this frost laden dismal wonderland bring for me.
The bird feeders empty,the steps icy,the driveway filled with snow and a wind chill factor almost Alaskan like.
From my kitchen window I spyed a neighboring tree limb with two large seemingly well fed red cardinals near the empty feeders.
Oh joy of joys.
I don't know what it is about these red little creatures that can bring a song of happiness over my being,but they do.
Suddenly the sun began to shine brighter and the green from my peace plant sitting on a nearby table,made me feel as if life had returned to what seemed,a few seconds ago like a dismal white out.
After changing into my winter clothes,my dog and I decided to venture through the ever increasing piles of snow to the empty bird feeders to fill and restock all their out door treats.
Then to the drive way and steps much in need of cleaning and shoveling,A smile came to my face has I thought about one of my resolutions to increase my activity levels,personally the thought of more walking came to mind back then,not more shoveling.
Oh well cardio is cardio.
With my out door chores complete it was time to call my friend,whom I had not spoken to in over a week and see if she had made it through the past week of snow,ice and rain.
Conversations with friends are always nice and today's was no different,we both agreed spring could not come soon enough and discussed our future plans of travel,fitness and activities.
After having lunch it caught my eye that my two miniature sunflower plants,which I planned back in the first week of this month,were now about one inch tall and seemed surprisingly healthy,soon there will be several sunny flowers in the house.
January can be a hard month,what with the snow,ice,rain,cold and just plain dreariness it requires us to be our own joy makers.
We are forced during this month to live with ourselves and think of things that can bring a simple smile to our faces.
I think as I clean today I will make plans to brighten up this beige looking place.
inspirations of yellow,greens,pinks and blues need to begin to make an appearance in this lack luster place.
Maybe its time to bring the outdoor colors and feelings indoors,what mother nature can not do for us at present we need to attempt to do for ourselves.
With the sun shining through the windows and the birds dive bombing the feeders out side it is now time to review January and make it as happy a month as any other.
This morning my husband said "I can't wait til March,this snow is ridiculous."
I told him something my mother used to say to us when we were impatient children.."stop wishing your life away,it will come soon enough".
Now that I am older and she is no longer here,those words ring so much more true to me then they ever did.
Awaken your senses to smells,sights,touches and taste and live in the present.
None of us is guaranteed a future.
Have a cup of herbal tea,light a scented candle,sit back and listen to what is around you and realize today is a perfect day,one made by God himself.
Rejoice and be Glad.
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