Posted tagged ‘Nor’easter’

“You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.”

March 31, 2011

The sky is cloudy and hiding the rain which will start sometime tonight and go into tomorrow. We’re getting all rain, but up north, they’ll get snow. It’s a nor’easter according to the weatherman. That is always the worst storm whether snow or rain.

The bird feeders are empty again. I swear there must be a sign which announces the menu and all the birds flock to dine. The goldfinches are getting brighter. I noticed a few the other day with real yellow on their breasts. In the front garden, some of my spring bulbs have flowered. I saw small pink ones when I went to get the paper. Color is so welcome this time of year when most of my world is still gray and brown.

I’m finding the long string of winter days is morphing into boredom no matter what I do. My pile of books is much shorter, but I get tired of sitting and reading and get up and stand at the door like Gracie does. We both hope for a little excitement. The other day I drove to Wellfleet and brought my camera, but nothing perked my interest. The bakery with the best cheese bread around which had my mouth watering at the mere thought of it was closed. I turned around and came home.

Today I’m going to the Audubon Society’s lecture about butterflies. I’ll write down the flowers which attract them to the garden and put a bed out back so I can see the butterflies in all their colors, their splendor and glory. The deck in summer is already filled with birds flying in and out of the feeders. Adding butterflies will make my backyard such a wonderful place to just sit and enjoy the world.

My mother was always the best at April Fool’s Day jokes. She always caught my youngest sister even though she was on alert. Our kid jokes were never very original, but we still laughed uproariously at our victims. One joke had to do with empty buckets seemingly filled with water which we’d throw on our victims. They always yelled anyway and called us names. They hated getting caught in the prank. We pretended to see dog poop on the backs of coats and jackets: poop jokes are most decidedly a kid thing. I don’t remember the last prank I pulled. I think I may have to spend a bit of time planning for tomorrow. The joke has to be subtle and believable. My mother will be my inspiration.

“Luck is my middle name. Mind you, my first one is Bad”

January 11, 2011

My mukluks dried from the weekend snow, and I put them down the cellar with the ice skates I never wear and the cross country skis I used until my knees and back screamed. How silly of me! The next storm, a nor’easter, is due to start around midnight tonight, and I figure I might just need those mukluks. It looks as if we’ll get 8 inches here on the cape while Boston can expect around 14.

I’m of two minds when it comes to snow. I love watching the flakes fall and how pristine the trees and yards look before a foot, a shovel or a plow has its way. I never mind it when Gracie runs and leaves paw prints in the snow. They seem right, natural, and not a disturbance to the beauty of the landscape. The other part of me wonders when the plow will get here to free me as I can’t wait to be out of my involuntary prison even though I know some roads will still have a snow cover. When I drive over them, my tires make a crunching sound which reminds me to be careful.

Last night my leg hurt so badly that I yelped out loud several times and woke myself up. I tried different methods to get rid of the pain. I changed position which helped for a while, stood on the cold floor which also helped for a while, took off my socks and finally, around three, took something for the pain. I fell asleep until well after noon, and that was just the beginning of my day. I started the coffee and went to get the newspaper. I was careful to avoid any ice or snow. The paper was in the driveway so I retrieved it, walked back to the house and tried to open the door. It had locked itself. The backdoor had done that before but never the front. I stood there for a while pondering my options. I couldn’t choose across the street for help as they are in their 70’s and climbing the fence in the back was beyond them. My young, nimble neighbors still work. The house right next door looked dark and empty, but I figured I’d give it a try anyway. I knocked on the door and Sebastian, my neighbor and landscaper, was home. I told him my tale of woe and he followed me home whereupon he jumped the fence, went in the back door, came to the front and let me inside. Come to find out he’s sick and had just come from the doctor’s office. I thanked him and told him I hoped he’d get better and he wished for me the same.

I’m leery of the rest of the day as bad things do come in three’s. I’ll keep you posted.