I’ll be very happy when I can take pictures of my garden again. As it is, with this relentless winter, I run around the house at the last minute and snap a picture for the blog, hoping that it will do. You can bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow’s picture will be of snow and blizzard-like conditions.
Over a foot of snow expected and…wait for it…high winds.
Don is out getting salt and last minute stuff. I’m running to the store after finishing this post. We just discovered we have less heating oil than we thought, so we called our supplier in a panic. He has hundreds of deliveries today, so we’re praying he makes it here. In the meantime, Don is buying a space heater. Of course, there’s always the possibility that we could lose power. Fingers crossed that we stay plugged in here at the cottage.
Don has so much to do before he leaves at the end of the week and the combination of feeling under the weather and this storm is not helping. Poor guy. He’d like to get on the road by Friday, but I’m wondering if that will be possible.
I wrote about this on Instagram and I’ll write about it here – I went to my tiny local library yesterday afternoon to check out a couple of books. You know that I donate books to the library a couple of times a year, right? Since I have so many books and many of them are new review copies, I like to pass them on to the library because they have an annual book sale. We all know that libraries are just keeping it together financially, so anything we can do to help them is a good thing.
So I walked over to the ‘new fiction and nonfiction’ table and realized that three of the books were donated by me. They were new books, just out this year. I opened each book to make sure I was right and, sure enough, each had the word ‘donated’ inside the cover. That made me so happy – happy that I can contribute to their collection, happy that others can check out these books and enjoy them. Maybe this has happened before, but this is the first time I’ve seen books that I’ve donated become part of the library’s collection.
Well, friends, I have to get going. Time for a quick shower and then errands.
Wish us luck. Everyone who is in the path of this storm, please stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Sending you a bit of sunshine and warmth from here in Arizona!!!!!
Thanks, Cindy!
You know I love that ice cream bucket! And I’m surprised at how well the hydrangeas keep their color when dried—looks like you just cut them.
Stay safe in the storm. Hope Don is able to find all he needs and that your heating oil shows up. I remember being in Baltimore when a major blizzard was headed our way. We were fine, but were shocked to find the store shelves nearly empty when we went to pick up a few things. Easterners take storm warnings seriously! There was not a single roll of toilet paper nor a single loaf of bread in that store!
We just got back from the store and it was packed with people stocking up. There was toilet paper!
hope you both are feeling 100% better, get stocked up (including the heating oil), don’t get all that snow or wind and enjoy the week ahead together.
kathy in iowa
Last time I checked – the National Weather Service is now saying 12 – 17 inches.
here is hoping that you won’t lose power during the storm. I know that we are suppose to get the winds here too. You and I are blessed with wonderful husbands. Last week I was laid up because of my foot. I had to keep it elevated because of the painful gout arthritis. He did grocery shopping and picked up my subscription from the clinic. And brought beautiful roses for me to enjoy. I have been going through my books. I have been donating the hardcover books to our library and the paperbacks to our thrift store. The money that the thrift store receives helps children at our local children’s hospital. I have a lot of stuff I want to go through. I want my home to be a haven and comfortable.
So glad your husband takes good care of you, Trina! My goal while Don is gone is to organize a couple of closets and throw out anything we don’t absolutely need.
Low on heating oil…really? Hope you can get some delivered! It sounds like such a huge storm…I hope you and Don find all your supplies…I know how it can get around here. Sounds like you two have so much to deal with in such a short amount of time….sending you positive vibes! It appears we are not getting as much snow as anticipated….maybe that will happen to you too? Fingers crossed! ;)
We thought we had more – we’re both off because one or both of us has been sick, so Don was surprised by how low the gauge read. It’s been a busy and stressful time, so we sort of lost track of the level of oil.
No, we’re supposed to get even more snow than predicted and I have feeling that at this point, they can predict it pretty accurately.
Yes! Please stay safe. You are in my prayers for your safety and for getting your heating oil!
Thank you, Tana!
I woke up to frost on the ground. Not to be confused at all with your storm, but still cold for Georgia! I hope you and Don stay warm and safe. I’m about to start another Karin Slaughter book, I’ve really enjoyed her writing. I hope I can find some Hydrangeas to dry this year. They add beauty in the winter for sure. I have some green plants indoors but no flowers. I’ve realized as I’ve been trying to organize my craft room that I need to make another attempt at downsizing. I still have too much stuff. Its hard to let go but I think I’m ready for simpler so it must be done. Hugs!
I need to do some more purging, too. That’s a project for when I’m done with Anastasia.
Husband outside doing something to snow blower, had to reschedule Dentist appointment, so sad. Fortunately always have enough food to last for a while, full size freezer in basement. My thing is as long as I have enough teabags and the cats have food we will all survive. Husband on his own… We have gas heat so not heat worries, and we have plenty of wood for fireplace. We are on the same ‘system’ as our hospital so if power is lost we seems to get it back first. Claudia I alway worry about space heaters, be careful. My daughter and husband have been in Florida for the week. Their flight has been cancelled so they must stay in Fl until Wednesday, some people have all the breaks. My son is in LasVegas expected back tomorrow morning, do not know about his flight. That being said he is off to Japan ( for a long weekend) Thursday so I know he is on the phone to check flights. Stay warm and safe.
I wish we had gas heat – which I grew up with – but everyone in this neck of the woods has oil burners. Not sure why, but that’s the way it is.
I can’t believe this snow storm. We have been updated to 16+ inches of it, thunder snow and high winds. I just got back from the library. My husband did a grocery run. Both the store and library were very busy. Stay safe and warm.
Yes, they’re saying 17 inches now!! We just got back from the grocery store, got gas for the snow blower, and we’ve done pretty much all we can until the snow ends.
We received about 4 inches of snow here. We were to get 6-8, so maybe some of the strength is diminishing…. at least for us. I think I heard you have Blizzard warnings in your neck of the woods. Oh, I hope that they, too, are wrong!! Strong winds and even a couple of inches of snow make clearing roads next to impossible. Hope you get all the supplies you need and that your power doesn’t go off. Dear sweet summer, we do so need you!!!! Stay safe.
Yes, blizzard warnings for sure – 12 -17 inches predicted when I checked this morning. I am ready for Spring.
I volunteer for our library’s book sale. We work Year-round as we also have a shop that depends on donations and that sells only the newest and best books that come in. All proceeds from sales go for circulating materials for the library, audio books, CDs and DVDs as well as books. We have always worked with the librarian who orders books, and have passed on many of our donations instead of selling them. You might have a chat with the person who orders for your library, and give your review copies directly to her/him.
Our library is very small. VERY small. I think that person is most likely one of about three people who handle the donations, so I’m guessing it’s already being taken care of as they sort the books!
I know you’re tired of the winter weather, Claudia. Hope this coming storm isn’t as bad as predicted. We’re awaiting some rain in about a week, but meanwhile, it’s in the high 60’s/low 70’s with clear blue skies. Last night was the first time in months that I didn’t have to wear a warm coat and turn on the heater in the car coming back from visiting my parents. I feel like I’m finally drying out from all our wet weather. I actually had to water the garden yesterday, with the water from dozens of milk jugs filled with gray water. Hope you get Spring sooner than you expect. I have a load of cookbooks to take to the library, but we’ve been told the library isn’t taking donations right now…they have too much!
What bothers me the most is that this is coming at the end of the winter, after buds have formed on many bushes, etc. And, of course, that this is going to take two days away from prep for Don’s trip.
Glad your library is getting lots of donations!
I know, Claudia. It’s as if Mother Nature is playing a cruel trick on the plants…a little warmth and sunshine, then slamming with cold and snow. However, I’m glad my California Red Bud has swollen leaf nodes. The poor thing (it’s a baby) was cleaved in half during the pruning of the pines when a bough fell on top of it. I walked through the garden after the pruning and saw the gash. I quickly squeezed the trunk together and wrapped tightly with twine. I saw the insides were still moist and not discolored so hoped it would graft itself together. I think my arboreal first aid worked. Will keep an eye on the growth though so I can remove and retie it before the tree grafts the string into itself.
Glad your quick work helped that tree!
Wow. I can really feel your urgency about the storm. Good thing in this day & age that you get some warning ahead of time. The headlines are so forbidding, calling it a potentially ‘paralyzing’ blizzard. And then there’s Don. It’s always seems to become such a big job to get ready to go anywhere, even a vacation (if you want to be well-prepared), but he’s got to think months-out on it, as well as road conditions for the more immediate. Driving coast to coast is no small thing, it seems to me, although I’ve never done it. I wish he felt better. Maybe the storm will pass quickly and things can get to ‘normal’ very soon! You’ll breathe a sigh of relief once he’s in La Jolla safe & sound. (I guarantee, no snow here in SoCalif! Just neverending heat. Maybe a few showers next week but I’m not holding my breath.)
He has to get out of here and ahead of any possible bad weather (snow) so we have to figure out if it’s Friday or Saturday. Then I have to leave for NYC two days later. Though I love my work, I don’t like being away that long. Sigh.
I can sense you’re feeling stressed. Lots of details; I can’t imagine! On the other hand, I have a lot of admiration for you both, in your 60s, vibrant and productive, out there working and making a living at what you both love to do.
Was thinking how much I’d probably love “Anastasia” – I hope it winds up here on the west coast, maybe at L.A.’s Music Center.
I mean, think of it, Claudia; you’re pivotal in a big, real Broadway show! It’s really SOMEthing! And Don’s going to be in this first-time Jimmy Buffett stage production; lots of buzz about this musical. (Wow, has multi-millionaire Jimmy become a mogul or what? What hasn’t he tried? I think he has no fear…and age 70, still performing with a big tour schedule; sold-out concerts [I love jimmy Buffett; I think he’s amazing]. Fun that his songs will be showcased in this, “Escape to Margaritaville” musical; I’ve read that he was very hands-on during development, which is a good sign, like an owner minding the store. I didn’t really realize it was ultimately/hopefully going to Broadway, just like your Anastasia. I think Don is going to be potentially very busy and very employed!)
Seriously, you two; I’m impressed!
Well, we’ve learned, as have all actors, that you never look beyond your current employment. Broadway musicals often have cast changes from the early stages to Broadway. So, if Broadway happens, great. But we’re not counting on it. Just happy for work in LaJolla!
Oh my! We had a warm and mild February but March wants to get in the last word. We are under a winter weather advisory. Last week we had the high winds. Praying that you remain warm and power stays on! The weather is just one of those things we can’t control … sigh.
Good news – the oil was just delivered. Now, for the power to stay on!
Claudia,
i am thinking about you two and hoping it warms up soon after the storm hits..Hoping at least.
Too bad the last week your husband is home for a while it is so rough out there.
You are so sweet to share with us as busy as you must be. Thank you for sharing.
I have come to look forward to your posts, and appreciate what you share.
Keep us informed as that storm hits you all; I am continuing to watch MSNBC for weather reports for your area; however, the creep that has caused so much trouble is ALWAYS making news. Lies have abounded since before he started even running for president.
Wow and yuck.
take care and stay safe~~
With Love and Peaceful feelings,
Katheryn
I’ll do my best to keep you informed – God willing and the power staying on!
My sister and I went shopping yesterday to get things we need. Will probably be snowed under Tuesday and early Wednesday. Hope you can get everything you need for the storm. Stay safe.
Marilyn
You, too, Marilyn! Stay safe.
Call me ‘sick’ – although I know it’s also because I’ve never been through it, being a Southern Californian – but as long as people are very prepared, staying in/hunkered down and off the roads, sitting out a huge storm/blizzard sounds somewhat exciting, as long as you have somebody/something to cuddle, are not too distracted for a hobby or movie…and have something warm in your belly like a delicious mug of hot chocolate or a big bowl of hot soup!
Hearts out to all the workers who have no choice, like the linemen, police officers, fire protection, doctors & nurses & paramedics, shelter workers who still have to go in and care for the animals, the people who drive those snowplows, tow truck drivers, letter carriers and other delivery folks…all of whom go into those jobs knowing that weather can’t be allowed to stop their work but, still, so dangerous and miserable. I have no idea what the cold must feel like but my husband has told me many times, having been raised in the Midwest, that it actually makes your face hurt. I’ve been skiing (a zillion years ago) but it was always in sunshine and I, in general, don’t recall weather in those years; you know, when you’re young and wanting all kinds of new experiences, nothing stops you and weather isn’t really anything you waste much thought on! There’s a sort of bliss to the ignorance.
Some of that is true. But when you have 2 ft (which is what is predicted now) coming, along with high winds and blizzard conditions, you also worry about trees falling, about the energy it will take to shovel (not every place on the property can be done with a snowblower.) I find I worry about these things more and more the older I get, I suppose because I have 60+ years experience with this and know how dangerous it can be. And there are so many people who will go into work tonight and sleep there so they can be on the job, hospital workers, EMS, etc. They are the heroes. I doubt whether any mail will be delivered tomorrow. The bulk of the storm will be during the day. It will simply be too dangerous. Schools are already closed in NYC tomorrow (very, very rare) as it will be a blizzard there with a lot of snow falling. Schools, of course, are closed all over the Northeast. We’re due to have lots of drifts, which are also dangerous and hard to shovel.
So, I’d feel better about the whole thing if my sick husband didn’t have to go outside and work the snowblower on Wednesday morning and if I wasn’t worried about damage from winds and potential power outages for so many in the Northeast.
Now, see, I find this so interesting/informative. It’s an education for me. I should know more about snow. I do have that story in my family/my husband’s family of having to run a rope from house to barn out on the prairie in the 1800s so as not to get disoriented/’snow-blinded’ when having to go out to feed the barn animals and I guess milk a cow who you hope hadn’t frozen. You wonder how on earth they all stayed warm enough in some uninsulated little house. Fast forward to today, I wouldn’t have thought that some workers would go in early to their jobs, in advance of the dangerous weather, with a packed overnight bag, prepared to sleep over like that…but, of course, they would, wouldn’t they…and I know nothing about snow-blowing and what works and what doesn’t except that I have indeed heard of people doing the apparent hard work of shoveling snow and winding up with a heart attack. My husband remembers shoveling as a young adult and says it’s very strenuous (and was a job he despised…that, and having a car buried in snow due to not having a garage!). And, yes, it WOULD be hard to have that mug of hot cocoa if there’s no power. And I was just thinking of you and Don, that you also do not have a fireplace as an alternate heating source, do you; darn. I’ve often thought if I ever moved to where I could experience four seasons, but if I didn’t have my husband (who has known ‘snow’), I could die from my utter lack of knowledge of how to live in it. There seem to be so many critical details…even small ones like draining the garden hoses beforehand.
I hope I didn’t sound too silly; clearly, it’s a serious situation and I’m feeling worried for you and all the readers here, too, who will get hit by the storm. You are all in my prayers as I sit here after 2am with a bolt of insomnia (I just cannot drink iced tea in the hot afternoons anymore; the caffeine stays with me too long as I’ve aged).
Take care, be safe; stay warm; let us know what’s happening…
Claudia, hope all will be well with you and yours this week. One of my joys is to donate books to our library, and over the years I know many have wound up on the shelves. Twice now I have been checking out and have noticed the person in front of me checking out a book I donated. For some reason that thrills my little heart! Of course, it could have been donated by someone else as well, but not too likely. I have wondered if other libraries in the system get a chance at the duplicates before they go to our book sale. Think I’ll ask sometime. I am sooo grateful for our library and library system! Stay safe! Bess
It is such a good feeling, isn’t it? Thanks, Bess!
Gee, I’m feeling a little ‘donating envy’ (joking of course; so nice to hear of recycled books; I love that books go on and on to live new lives with new people; to me, that’s the joy of a real book you hold in your hand and turn the paper pages; they last and last and last…). I’ve donated hundreds of books throughout my life but I’ve curiously never seen one of mine after the fact, at least that I could recognize.
When my young adult brother died, we did say in the obit to donate money to the local library if anyone wished to memorialize him [in lieu of flowers]. Yes, it’s a small and always-struggling library; not part of a county system. We were overwhelmed to learn that, with a little boost from my parents, the amount was over $1,000 which, in those days, was a lot of book-buying money for a library. At one point, much later on, and with my parents continuing to replenish the ‘fund’, I did go in to inquire how things were going, because the family request (after I think being asked by the library as to any preferences we might have) was to buy books in subjects that were important to my brother. I was disappointed to not get a proper list and prices paid … like a running account of how they were spending down the money; they had poor tracking/inventory, saying it was a volunteer effort … but at least I did see a small stack of books they selected for me to look at, with a memorial plate inside each book with my brother’s name imprinted and, I have to tell you, I got that same warm feeling of which you girls speak. My brother wasn’t a college grad, but he WAS a tremendous reader in a wide variety of subjects, almost entirely non-fiction, so I know ‘his’ books no doubt helped many a student with homework assignments or enlightened someone trying to learn something new. It ran the gamut…Egyptology, anything about dogs, our solar system, backpacking, history, Native American arts; architecture, language and theology. I’m sure he was pleased…
Oh I’m glad you are prepared for what weather may come to you. We are 2 miles
down a dirt country road and waited for new homes to be built as they all wanted
and paid for gas line to be brought closer to us. After hears of smelly oil heat we
finally were able to bring it to the house. But why didn’t we get a gas stove?
We had a few inches here today. It took my poor husband over 2 hours to get
home (45 miles). I worry every time he has to drive in or come home in this
weather. Take care. This too shall pass.
It sounds like you are as prepared as you can be, Claudia. Praying that the storm won’t be as bad as expected. Cozy up and stay safe!
I did our grocery shopping earlier today..got what we needed to last through the storm…then on the way back home I stopped at the local convenience store for a pizza special they are having so no cooking tonight…now I am waiting for the big storm to hit us…Good luck up there!