snow

Since I went upstairs to read snow has covered everything. When I finished my book I got out of bed and I could see the snow in the glow of the street light. I came to turn on the floodlight to watch the snow falling. Nothing is moving except snowflakes.

Cold air greeted me on the stairs making me think how many cold nights have passed in this house. Almost a hundred years worth of cold. Even with the furnace roaring there are cold spaces somewhere in the house.

I would bet I have spent more sleepless nights in this house that anyone who has lived here, even old Jasper Reynolds. I've roamed around while everybody else is sleeping. I've read many a book, finishing in the wee early morning hours.

Back to bed to start a new book.

Brrrr

The wind is blustery. I can hear the flag flap now and then. We went to church tonight. It was sooo cold getting out of the car and making our way to the church door. My gloves fell out of the car and I had to chase them down. I'm sure it was a video moment. We ate Mexican after church. Olivia had a good time dipping her chips in the salsa. She sat in her booster seat and looked so big. We're all tucked in and warm now. Bed and book beckon.

New Year's Eve

I'm spending New Year's Eve reading Wendell Berry. What better way to start a new year. Olivia is asleep upstairs. Kristin, Elizabeth and Leah are probably asleep in Georgetown. I wish they were all here.

Children in the house

Both of our children are sleeping in the house tonight. All four of our granddaughters are also asleep here. John Wayne is sleeping. I'm awake. The only sound is the soft whir of the computer and occasionally I can hear ice hitting the windows. If I turn on the flood light at the back of the house I can see the snow blowing. The cars are covered. For some reason I'm warmer tonight than usual. My foot doesn't hurt as bad and my chest doesn't feel so heavy. Maybe it's because the children are here. For supper we had fried potatoes, pinto beans, and cornbread. Mama is sleeping a short way up the street and down the road. Or she was sleeping, maybe she isn't now. We used to all sleep at her house, now we sleep here. I don't want to live to be old. Christmas has crept up on me, I knew it was coming but I couldn't get ready. It will come and go whether I'm ready or not. John Michael, Kristin and I will try and go shopping tomorrow. I may have to shop for boots before anything else. The wind has whipped up and I can hear the flag flapping on the porch. I have to sleep. But also need to stay awake to keep the creepies away. Susan bought all the girls gum boots to wear in the snow. The babies are so funny. We can't call them babies much longer. Kristin and Elizabeth wear adult size boots!

I'm sleepy now, hopefully will still be sleepy when I go to bed. Quilts keep us all warm tonight and help us remember.

Sleep

Can't sleep and I have to be in Owensboro at 7:30 for some sort of stress test that requires fasting. I'm not sure what that is about. Guess I'll find out.

Kristin's wrist

Kristin has broken her left wrist. It is the 5th break she has had in about 4 years. She gets her cast tomorrow.

Porch Cat

Several months ago a skinny, sickly cat began hanging around the house. I thought he couldn't possible live long so I fed him to make his last days bearable. Many days he could barely walk and ate very little. Twice I made plans to take him to the vet to be put to sleep. Each time he disappeared just when I was ready to leave. Maybe he had a sixth sense. The last time I planned to take him he was gone for a daya nd a half. I had even gotten the pet carrier out of the basement and called the vet. When he came back after that close call he looked much better. Since then he has gained weight and his winter caot is thick and warm. He wants to be a house cat but he needs to be neutered first. JW says he can't come in but maybe he will feel sorry for him when the weater is really cold. I think he would be a fine lap cat. He appeares to have some age on him, rarely venturing away from the house He may hide for days if he gets wind of the neutering. His left ear is bent, probably from a fight in his younger days and sometimes his upper lip hangs on his front tooth. He sits like this looking into the hall from the porch and I have a hard time not letting him come in. I'm sure he will eventually make his way from the porch to the house. But we'll always call him Porch Cat.