Icy day and night in the South!

Today has been a fairly productive day for me. I've been running things all day! For example: the washer, the dryer, the dishwasher, the vacuum cleaner! I'm good at running things that don't take much thought or technical expertise!

I was supposed to meet with a very nice Latino lady this afternoon to help teach her to speak English. However, that didn't come to pass because as I was leaving in my "flivver," little ice pellets bounced happily off my windshield while I heard on the radio the temperature was right at the freezing point! Don't you know this old gal, cowardly lioness that I am, turned my vehicle around and high-tailed it back home. Got a small kittle made of corn chowder to keep my rattly old bones warm - as well as my belly full!

I've just become certified as a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Trainer. Attended three 8-hour classes last week, with a hands-on simulated disaster scenario wherein I assisted in the triage area. I'm now certified to teach the CERT program. I'm so very proud of myself because of all the "neat stuff" I've learned over the past couple of years. I can do triage, CPR, life-saving first aid, traffic control (you should see me out in the middle of the street directing traffic - it's a sight to behold!), learned how to properly use a fire extinguisher (actually put out a fire during the training exercise - that was too cool!), know how to determine whether or not a tornado is imminent, and in general, have been trained as a first responder in a time of disaster or an emergency. I hope to be able to serve my community well with my training.

With all I've got going on, for some strange reason I've been inordinately lonely lately. Although I have wonderful friends on whom I can count at any time, my family has finally realized I'm not as young as I used to be and they check up on me quite regularly, and I love my part-time job - I can't help but wish I had someone with whom I can share. Sometimes, I can't help but think "Being a widow sucks!" Terminology leaves much to be desired, but so does the fact that I'm a widow! My walk through what remains of my life would be so much more enjoyable with a caring and loving partner. But then, he would be next to impossible to find - and even if I wanted to look, I wouldn't know where to begin!!!!

Micky Finn has moaned a little bit!

Not much of interest, but here I am anyway!

Special thanks to "Patty" for informing me about Mama's latest set back. I sure do miss her postings!

Dr. John, I got a big charge out of your message about snow! Know exactly from whence you came, as I was raised in Maine and know what it's like to not see the ground from October until April or May!

The snow about which I and Miss Freckles were so excited lasted until the next morning. Temps rose all through this week - yesterday it was 72 here. Would you like to know what the temperature is outside my door today? Well, I'm gonna tell you anyway! :::giggle::: Right now, at 2:17 p.m., it is 41 degrees. My area of the "Heart of Dixie" is on winter storm watch tonight and tomorrow. Hmm, what is wrong with my last statement? It, somehow, just doesn't compute!! Possible chance we will become iced in tonight and all day tomorrow, with low 30's, high 20's! I can't begin to imagine the crowds at our local Wal Mart SuperCenter today - betcha there's not a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk, or a slice of bologna to be had!

After getting off work yesterday, I went on a splurge. I bought a wireless keyboad (which I am using now) with a nice wrist extension on it. I absolutely love it. My other keyboard has been donated to a friend - good riddance, is what I say!

Is anyone else out there as crazy about the sequence of games by Broderbund called Myst as I am? I have all of the stages of it - got the original Myst solved and am now working on Riven. Well, to be honest, I've done a little peeking into all of the ensuing phases of the game to see what I can see, but will honestly attempt to solve Riven today and tomorrow. This type of "gaming" is about as risky as I get. All the shoot 'em up bang bangs don't interest me very much - I like games where I have to search for and find clues and then solve puzzles or challenges to take me closer to the end of the game. At present, I'm kinda sort stuck in Riven, but hope to be able to overcome when I have the time and fortitude to stay after it for a while!

With the wind coming at us from Alaska and points north and the chance of a bad-weather day tomorrow, the thought of a nice pot of chili or maybe corn chowder surely will assuage the chill.

Hope all is well with my cyberspace friends.

Mickey Finn has prattled!

Snow? Not here, you say?

Don't believe it if you are told it NEVER snows in the Heart of Dixie! Yesterday afternoon this old Yankee gal (at heart) looked out the kitchen window to see that it was snowing! Oh joy!

After bundling up against the wind and cold, I stepped outside into a shower of swirling snow which was quickly turning my world white. Miss Freckles, in wild abandonment, couldn't focus on just one snowflake - so, she attempted to chase all of them! To compare her movements to that of a whirling dervish would not begin to describe the joy my precious dog displayed! Watching her apparent delight was quite contagious - I found myself trying to catch one of those wildly blowing flakes on my tongue!

I hooked the leash to Miss Freckles' collar and we took a walk in the woods where the beauty of the snow clinging to branches, blades of brown grass, and rocks at the creek was awe inspiring. While at the creek, the snowflakes appeared to be flirting with the flowing water before tumbling reluctantly into the stream.

This morning, my world is still white and very quiet and serene, although the accumulation of snow on the ground amounts to a dusting. We had a hard freeze in the area last night - requiring me to take measures to prevent water pipes from freezing. Today is supposed to be the coldest day of the season, with the temp not to go much above freezing! Next week, we've been promised temperatures in the 60's. Go figure.

Miss Freckles, when she went outside earlier for her morning ablutions, did not linger long. She didn't seem to like the feel of the frozen snow on her feet very much! Can't blame her - I wouldn't like it much, either!

I'm enjoying my second cup of coffee of the morning, watching the blizzard up north on television, and Miss Freckles is keeping my feet warm. Life is good!

Mickey Finn is content!