Anticipation
. . . waiting for the first snowflake of the season to hit the ground

Yes, here in middle Georgia (known for our mild winters and scorching summers) are waiting with bated breathe the journey of those snow clouds and anxiously await the fall of that first flake. Knowing in our hearts that 30 minutes or less we will be begging for it to be over.  We are not made for the fluffy white stuff except for those daredevils that attack the blanket with their monster machines turning the fluffy into slushy within seconds. 

Content with the comfort of a warm fire and a cup of soup I sit here realizing I have aged not only in years but also in spirit - as once I would be in the middle of the skirmish, rolling in the snow, building snowmen, climbing the mountain in the four wheel drive. Good memories, but no do overs.

Happy rolling - whether on a sled, vehicle, or trash can lid! Be safe and have fun!

The economy picked up drastically over the last few days as metereologist once again predicted a winter wonderland filled with 5-7 inches of the fluffy white stuff.  Colonial and Sunbeam were the expected winners with Nature's Own running closely in third place.  Mayfield Dairies had a whopping increase in sales reported.  The little ones were sorely disappointed in the texture of the white blanket covering the area as the ice was cold wet and would not mold itself into a snow man no matter what tricks were used. 

Insurance companies breathed a sigh of relief when drivers decided to stay at home in the warmth of their homes.  The $3+ a gallon for the gas contributed greatly to the lack of traffic and the unusual use of good sense by drivers. 

It is reported that children are in revolt due to the inability to get Big Macs and Wendy's double stacks and are refusing to eat peanut butter on plain white bread.  However, these same children have found a new favorite drink - milk!  Hopefully the stores have restocked as it has been announced that local schools will be closed again tomorrow.

Another Cold Spell

Doom and Gloom!

Seems there is another cold wet spell headed to the sunny south. With mixed reactions I am stocking the cupboards with the makings of comfort food in mind - plenty of coffe, hot chocolate and lots of soup makings and of course some light sweets to replace the energy that seems to evaporate in the cold air.

The heating and air man is here checking out the system. The electric bill soared this past month and I still froze. However, I know I am not alone. My little bill of just over $400 was mild compared to the $700+ that one lady had to pay. We Southerners are just not equipped to handle the icy weather of our Northern counterparts. Heat pumps are not efficient in prolonged below freezing temperatures. Hope this maintenance visit helps our units to perform more efficiently and I will stay warm as toast with or without my fleece.

Like most of the residents of the sunny south, I enjoy a glimpse of the beautiful white fluffy stuff as long as it doesn't continue for more than 2 days and I can stay inside. The ice is another story. I don't like it and it doesn't like me. Cold and wet there is little beauty in iced over trees struggling to stay upright in their heavy coats. The roads become impassable and dangerous, but still have the ability to entice the foolhardy and adventurous out to see if they can best the elements. I would move north if I wanted to experience mountains of snow and ice. I am thinking of moving to Florida to escape the whole ordeal.

My daughter and her family are in north Georgia on top of a mountain. For the first time in her life I heard her complain that she was cold during the cold snap of the past few weeks. She couldn't get off the mountain for several days and I'm thinking it is time for her to come south.

The coldest month is yet to come. February, the month of snow and ice, is still a few days away but already I am dreading its icy fingers creeping into my bones. Yep, I firmly believe that old is not made for cold. Ya'll keep warm and stay dry.
Until next time . . .

Happy reading!

Belle

Winter Is Upon Us

The fog moved in last yesterday afternoon and my mind automatically kicked into the "I don't want to" mode. I don't want to go out. I don't want to go shopping. I don't want to feed the chickens. I don't want to go out to eat.

Rain, fog, cold, snow and ice are the triggers for my "I don't want to mode". I am not afraid of any of these weather conditions, it is just a comfort thing for me. Hot tea, warm soup, lap blanket, pillow and a good book or movie - my comfort mode.

It looks like I am in for a comfort winter. The rain seems to go on and on, but I won't complain. We had too many thirsty years to resent the rain now. Hope to see some snow this year, but really don't want to see the ice.

Ice is really beautiful (like the snow) for about 15 minutes. It takes that long to realize there is no water or no electricity - comfy things cease to exist until the ice starts to melt. It has taken several days afterward before electricity is back. The snow is not nearly as bad, but after an hour or so, it is just messy. No, that is why we live in a nice warm climate instead of the icy cold of our northern states.

Our northern neighbors must be much more industrious than us southerners or they were all Boy Scouts. They stay prepared for that snow and icy stuff. Here in the south we are too laid back for winter's special sports. We can mud bog any time of the year and clean up with a hose pipe. No special equipment needed either - or pickup trucks work just fine!

If the winter is as mild as our fall, we don't have anything to worry about. It is suppose to be in the low 60s today and we have hit the middle of December with only 4 frosty days to date. Sounds like spring is around the corner.

Enjoy your Holiday season and here's to wishing each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy, but please stay safe.

Happy reading!

Belle