This morning:
I’d say we have about 6 or 7 inches so far and it’s still snowing. It started snowing about 8 pm last night and we woke up to this loveliness. The last time we had any sort of significant snowfall was December 13th and it was still autumn. We might get more snow on Friday and Saturday.
Yesterday was a stressful day for me, only because I’m my worst enemy. I was nervous about heating oil. I was nervous about the washer. Right after I initially posted, I took a shower and when I emerged from the bathroom, Don told me our oil company had confirmed a delivery for that day. Hurrah! We kept the temperature down, conserving whatever we had left until whenever they could get here.
The technician arrived around 1 pm and we explained the problems with the washer, including the fact that it was working just fine until Don did a very small load – one pair of jeans. Then the water came. We had removed the doors and the molding before he came so he could get to the washer. Turns out we probably didn’t need to because he was able to remove the front panel of the washer quite easily. (What do I know?) Anyway, he was in there for a while. By the way, Don met him outside when he arrived and asked him if he would wear a mask, which he readily agreed to – we supplied the mask. We’re still very careful here at the cottage. After a while, I heard the sound of water! Long story short, this is an older washer/dryer and the shocks aren’t in tip-top shape so when Don did that small load, it was very unbalanced and the knocking caused a hose to become unattached. Hence, the water going right to the floor instead of inside the tub. I have to say that my initial reaction when it happened was that it might be a hose, but of course, I had no idea how to confirm that or if it was even true.
He was able to fix it on the spot, it cost less than $250.00, and he couldn’t have been a nicer guy. Huzzah!
He left and about 20 minutes later, the oil truck arrived. We are so grateful!
_________________
I want to mention my old friend Tom Sizemore, who is a wonderful actor. He was my classmate in graduate school, We went through 3 years of school together and as in any intense acting program, you become very close to your classmates. You really get to know them. After we graduated, both Tom and I were cast in a groundbreaking production of 1984 at the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia, which went on to a run at the Kennedy Center. Tom was sort of a live wire, a bit of a rogue, and it wasn’t until we did that show together that I got to know him a bit more deeply. I saw his vulnerable side, the part of him that was usually covered by bravado. He was a good guy. He went on to work in Hollywood; he’s been in lots of films, including Saving Private Ryan. His drug use and self destructive tendencies were well known and well publicized. But all that time, I would remember the real Tom, hoping he would find some peace.
Last week, he suffered a brain aneurysm and has been in a coma since then. This morning, one of my classmates sent me an article from CNN – doctors have said there is no hope and his family is now making end of life decisions. It’s all so terribly sad and heartbreaking. He’s only 61.
Thinking of you, Tom. Praying for you. Remembering all the good times and laughter – remembering the real you.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
so glad you have more heating oil and a working washer again … and relief! i am relieved for you.
and you got some snow … good. it will add to your water table and is quite beautiful. also better now than a month from now, huh?!?
hope you and don can relax and have a good, easy day.
i read about tom sizemore’s medical condition on a news website last night and have been praying for him and his loved ones. glad for you two to have met, studied and worked together. thanks for your lovely words and kind focus on his acting skills and tom as a real person.
when i’ve been there and my landlord had to do something in my apartment and when a chimney-sweep was recently at my parents’ home, masks were worn. still wear masks at stores, watching church online … covid isn’t gone, the bad numbers here have gone up the past couple of weeks so remain cautious.
and (like everyone else) am so tired of it.
anyway …
cool and crisp here, but hope to take a walk soon outside. that will feel good.
stay safe and happy last day of february 2023 to everyone. spring will get here (northern hemisphere) soon!
kathy
We had to snow blow and shovel so we didn’t really get a chance to relax.
No, covid is definitely not gone.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Kathy we too watch church online
Many in church still do not wear masks
more people are mask-less than wear masks here, but obviously can’t control that … just do what is best for my family and me.
hope you and your family are safe and well and stay that way, linda!
happy march 01!
kathy
I am so sorry about your friend. Dying is hard. Sometimes harder for a family that has to make decisions that would be easier for the person to make himself. If he could. He and his family are in my prayers. It did warm my heart that the washer was an easy fix and you got your heating oil. Being warm and dry is wonderful!
Thank you so much, Tana.
Stay safe.
What a relief on the oil and washer. I am very careful to make sure I am balancing my wash loads as bad things have happened when I didn’t. I’m glad it was a relatively inexpensive fix.
Now you can relax, warm and cozy and eat apple pie!
I just read about Tom Sizemore also. I’m very sorry to hear of his loss.
Take care
I always am, but Don wasn’t careful! We both do the laundry.
Thanks so much, Marilyn. We’ve been out shoveling and snow blowing so I think Don will make the pie tomorrow.
Stay safe.
I thought Tom Sizemore was a very talented actor. I’m sorry that you’ve lost another friend. It’s been a rotten few years. Worrying about an oil delivery and being very cold at the same time is a lot of stress. I’m glad the repairs and delivery went smoothly. I also believed that we would get most of our winter in March this year. I’ve been very glad to save money on the driveway plowing, but it all might turn out to be the same when averaged. May you both stay well.
Haven’t lost him yet, but I suspect it will be within the next few days. Unless something has happened while I was outside shoveling.
Thanks so much, Nora.
Stay safe.
Since March seems to be coming in like a lion with snow that you like…hope you are reading after the oil and washer. Sorry about your friend. A good actor. I have seen him in many shows. Saw they one of my favs from Law and Order SVU died…Don did a scheme with him
And his partner…Don was a therapist…losing so many. Prayers for you both today.
Don said Richard Belzer was a kind and very nice man.
Stay safe, Brenda.
Aww… sweet. I never saw all these shows until I retired and got Hulu
I am a tv watcher per se
xo
Very sad to hear about your friend, Tom Sizemore…
Cheers for more oil and a working washer!
The snow pictures are beautiful!
Stay warm!
Thank you, Barrie.
Stay safe.
It is a less stressful day for you, Claudia, except for the sad news about your friend Tom. I’m so sorry you are probably suffering yet another loss.
Loved the snow pictures. So pretty. Hope you didn’t have to go out today. You’ve got lots of oil to keep you warm and your washer is fixed. All good things. Take gentle care. Hugs, Elaine
Oh we had to go out and snow blow and shovel! We just got back in and took hot showers.
Stay safe, Elaine.
We are such complex creatures. A blend of positive and negative. With innate characteristics as well as conscious choices. All we can do is to be kind and live our all- too-short lives as best we are able.
I love the thoughtful, nuanced, caring comments here from our little community. You all give me hope!
Our yard is also under a soft white blanket of fresh snow. Beautiful! Enjoy!
Thank you for your kind words, Roxie!
Stay safe.
I read about Tom Sizemore. So very sad. I’m sorry — you’ve been hit plenty by loss and fear of loss in recent months.
I’m so glad all the various service folk came and delivered! Your snow looks absolutely gorgeous — that’s a lot, my friend! Be careful of your back out there when you are shoveling. Promise!
We have even more coming on Friday!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Yes, you got your snow; wonderful photos, Claudia.
I’m so glad crisis was averted on the heating oil and that you came thru the laundry-equipment repair without too much damage to the pocketbook.
I’m so sorry, about Mr. Sizemore. I can’t place him but as more is in the news of him, I know I’ll pick up on something I’ve seen him in, movie-wise. I never watched Saving Private Ryan; decided I just couldn’t (my uncle was on the beaches at Normandy for D-Day). I know it’s supposed to be one of the greatest films ever made. But I decided I couldn’t handle its authenticity; maybe some day.
I hope as the week progresses you can begin to ease your mind with less goings-on/worrisome details happening all at once; let the beautiful and what I’m sure must be gentle snowfall put peace in your heart as you stay cozy and warm inside the cottage with Don. I try to imagine how quiet it must make the surroundings, your snow; maybe akin to our coastal Calif fog when it cloaks us in its mist and mystery. I see snow in my distance right now, with our local mountains covered in white, but I don’t ‘know’ snow, so all I can is try to imagine what it’s like for the rest of you folks who do.
If we didn’t have to shovel and snow blow, both of which are exhausting, I could relax a bit more! And we have even more snow coming on Friday.
Stay safe, Vicki.