Well, the winter storm came and went here in North Texas... actually the worst of it came and went - as we are still getting below freezing early mornings. But the icy roads, snow, and sleet is gone, roads are drying up, and although we still need to let our faucets drip at night and keep outside faucets covered, the scary/worrisome issues (icy roads and frozen pipes) have diminished.
As someone who doesn't do well with the cold, I spent the last few days layered in my long johns, jeans, sweater, and a big fishermen's crochet blanket by the fireplace.
 |
| my refuge during the storm |
It's strange as DH and Grandson can be perfectly comfortable in shirtsleeves, but even inside the cold seems to go through to my bones.
We are keeping the heat lamps on outside for the ferals... and added some blankets on the back porch, but most of them used the garage (which we left open about 6 inches so they could get inside out of the cold). We also put blankets out there, water, and a litter box (which they tend to use when there's snow). They gravitated to the back porch as the sun came out in the afternoon yesterday, but have been returning to the garage at night when the temps drop below freezing.
Our AGA is still off (waiting for a part), so I'm learning to use my Breville toaster air fryer and microwave to do all sorts of things. Today I microwaved bacon. That was a first! It came out fine... not exactly the same as doing it in the oven, but good. Good enough to add to my green beans (which again had to be cooked in the microwave). Also sauted onions and garlic in microwave too!
Thank goodness for google! I just look up 'how to do this'... and the answer is there!
***********************
Next few days are scheduled for overdue 'dusting' in several areas. Those of you who have China cabinets and shelving know that this takes a bit more time than simply dusting a bedroom... as it involves removing a lot of little knick knacks, dusting the shelves, then dusting or cleaning the knick knacks, then returning the same to the shelves. I don't mind doing it... but find I need to allot a few days to this process as it can be so time-consuming.
For example, today I started on the first bookcase (which holds more knick knacks and family pictures than books). As I take down the pictures of family, I have to stop and reminisce over them, where they were taken, and what feelings they bring to mind. When I take down other things (like my collection of rocks taken from various vacations or pieces of pottery I sculpted, etc.) I have to run them through my fingers and remember...
 |
| First 3 shelves of 3 book cases |
 |
| some of my pottery pieces |
So, you can see that I don't dust these areas too often. There are 3 bookshelves and 1 China cabinet. If I can get through a shelf or two a day, I'm doing good.
**********************
Going to close this now so I can get back to 'dusting'. But will report that all the ferals seemed to have survived fine. We finally saw One Eye this morning. I was worried about him as we didn't see him on the back porch or in the garage during the below freezing weather. But where-ever he was, he made it through.
And where-ever you are, I hope you are doing fine also. Thanks for visiting and sharing this little bit of life with me.
Hugs (virtual),
Rian
*************************
