It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

This morning I awoke with a scratchy throat. As I clamored to the sink for a drink, a spider jumped out and startled me. Seeking solace in a cup of coffee, my automated machine refused to comply. I think it’s dead.

Since I need coffee to ward off the inevitable headache which comes with the lack of it, I headed to McDonald’s drive-thru for a swig. Satisfied, I returned home to contemplate the bare Christmas tree I have erected in the corner of the family room.

I’m still contemplating. No sense chancing a possible superfecta of things-that-could-go-wrong. Also, Laurence Fishburne is narrating “History’s Greatest Mysteries.” I think I’ll just enjoy the sofa and his deep voice as we learn the identity of someone I do not know.

Last night the herd came through my back yard, nibbling on the lilac bushes I obviously planted for them. Three does and four young ones. Twins in there?

This morning they returned, heading back to their home. It’s impossible to get a decent photo of them as they blend into the surroundings so well, especially at dusk. I thought about chasing them away as they’ve already stunted the growth on a few bushes, as well as destroyed a tree. However, I’ve succumbed to Mother Nature’s way of pruning.

We will just see what Spring brings us oh-so-many months from now.

…the number of times I have made it through the TSA check without dinging something.

The older systems pinged my hair clips. Since I have to go through the high-performance metal detector due to titanium in my body, I am always awed that a hair clip will not pass. Additionally, my shoes are usually an issue. Apparently they usually have some bling on them which causes immediate concern to where I just remove them now. I don’t bother with the hair clips, because it’s just too much work to reassembly myself in the little space they have for anyone to re-combobulate. (Not a word) Also, the pat down kind of makes you feel like you could be a spy or drug trafficker.

We’ll see how it goes this morning! Always a little adventure in the day.

Never look at a catalog when you’re cold.

Even though we opted out of mailings/catalogs a few years back we have continued to receive them. The “Sharper Image” catalog with its gadgets came out. The cozy offerings certainly look delightful when you’re cold. But then, you have to think beyond and ask the question, “Where will I keep this?”

The oversized, magenta-toned, fleece-lined lounging hoodie looked quite nice last night when I was chilled. Today? Heck, the sun is out, it’s going to be almost 60 degrees, and I don’t want another blanket-type thing to store somewhere. I’ll just use a blanket I already have stashed.

Unlike the old “Sears Wish Book” mostly-toy-edition at Christmas, today’s publications aren’t quite as exciting. Remember paging through that monster-sized volume? It was a dreaming book. Now we swipe and tap on the dreams.

Today, I’m fantasizing about clean windows. Oh, yes. The “Sharper Image” had a new tool solution for that, too! But where would I store it?

That’s all I could think of with the 30+ inches of snow melting for the past two days. “Whumph!” That was the sound as it slid off the decking, porch eaves, and trees. Very fun to watch, and yet startling at times.

The sun has done her job and we await the rest of the melt so that we can properly remove the broken branches. It’s unfortunate those flowering pears still remain green and full! They had better get moving towards winter quickly or nature will be doing some more pruning on the next round.

Looking forward to a little chainsaw action!

Looking for that boost of sunshine to melt some of this! My spouse has been plowing to keep up with most of the moisture, but overnight we seem to have had another big dump. I will be exercising those back muscles (the latissimus dorsi being my favorite name in the world of high school anatomy class) as I shovel what can’t be plowed.

It’s beautiful, and the trees are holding their own with the weight of the world on them. Ponderosa pines are amazing, an apt tree for our climate.

The only issue is that my boots do not cover enough of my leg to plunge into the drifts. I guess I’ll see if my old ski suit still fits? Ha!

No, it’s not Tuesday nor is it hamburger-on-the-menu day. I’m just feeling like a wimp because I don’t want to brave the snow this morning.

Most of the reason for my lack of motivation comes from the fact that I have to go through the intersection of the local high school. It is always a snarl, always overcrowded with teenage drivers and is noted for a few icy inclines during this time of year. I would go the “back” way, but that passes through more icy hills and the elementary school. I guess those drivers would be more experienced? Hm.

To be fair, if my class didn’t start at the same time as schools do I wouldn’t have any concerns as I use my Midwestern driving skills to navigate this continuing snowfall. Which, by the way, did they ever predict this much snow? Either my over-the-top alerts failed me, I ignored them, or I just had too many other things to think about. Let’s go with the last idea.

Out I go with a little danger in the day.

When my son returned from college life in the dorm his first year, he brought a boatload of yogurt home. That was a positive move! We ate it…and then one day I happened to look at the expiration dates. Months old.

I have long believed those dates are more like suggestions – put there to keep you from suing some company in the event you get sick and in your mind you link it to something you ate. Refrigeration is a key ingredient, too. Heck – they sell eggs in Europe off the shelf of the grocery store. Fruit juice? That can keep on the counter. It’s either that or my upbringing with food left sitting in the sun at family reunions gave me some kind of immunity.

Anyway, you can tell which one I am in this marriage.

EmergencyEmail.org sends me severe weather alerts all too frequently. And when it’s not about weather, they send a notice on some meat or vegetable recall.

The newly renamed “Impact Weather Team” on our local station is also a bit over-the-top with its proclamations of storms and conditions to expect. I don’t even want to post a photo of this dire condition this morning. Suffice it to say there is no wind, a dusting of snow, small pool of water of my deck, and trees still awaiting the shedding of their cloaks.

What will I get as an alert when we truly do have a storm? I might do as I currently do and just swipe left – delete without reading.

Last week I had my well check and they didn’t even measure my height – rather unusual. So I had to take matters into my own hands.

Whenever I feel like I might be shrinking I clean the mirrors upstairs. If I can still reach the top of them without a step-stool, I’m good. It’s a rather unique method, but it gets the jobs done.

Good news – I haven’t shrunk – yet.