Hiatus Over

For a long while it appeared there would be no end to the white stuff.  First snow, then slight warmup, then snow, then wind, then slight wamup, and so on.  It causes one to become tired after a time. 

Now it appears that there is melting.  In fact, the lake has appeared between the house and the "new shed."  I am planning a wade over soon to select bird seed for the feeder.  There is a lot of brown surrounding the house now - the grass has reappeared from under the winder coat. 

I am now reasonably excited about the possibility of warm weather this week - approaching the mid- to upper-40s by next weekend.  Perhaps training can move outside, at least for the longer runs.  I did rearrange things yesterday and moved the small television from the guest room (who has guests?) and put it on a shelf in front of the treadmill in the basement.  That made yesterday's 6 mile effort a tad more bearable, even if I could not hear much of what the announcers had to say.  I watched the pictures from the earthquake and pending BIG WAVES in Hawaii (that didn't happen).

Job hunt took a backseat last week while I visited with Mom.  Helped her with locating bills and paying them.  Even took an hour to assist in cleaning bathrooms and getting the "hopper" fixed in the "little bathroom" upstairs.  Quite the accomplishments in my 48 hours (plus) in Sullivan.  Looks like more trips will be required, but I really do not mind.  Afterall, most of us don't have our parents for an entire lifetime (ours), and as they get closer to their personal end our time together is more precious.  Limited time to gather the final memories and share a few more laughs.

"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses." ~Joyce Brothers

BK Update

Just as I was preparing to head to the treadmill, I heard him outside the door to the deck. Yep – the “prodigal kitty” has returned.

Gone for six days (and nights), he left last Thursday about 5:30 PM. He returned this evening about the same time – just after dark. He has lost about half his body weight and has one battle wound on his back, but that is about all the damage I have been able to determine.

Naturally, he walked in like he owned the place and headed for the food. Then went to the bedroom and lay next to Buddy (of all the others for BK to get next to, who would have selected Bud). When I headed in to change into my running gear, BK was ready for another snack. I put out food and he and Blondie shared a bite.

I ran 2 miles and showered. When I get to the kitchen to do the dishes and scout for dinner, Blondie, Black Beauty and BK were there “hovering.” I laid out more food, but this time Blondie got most of it. Then it was time for treats, which BK snarked up the lion’s share.

I sat on the couch briefly and asked BK whether he’d been successful in his conquests. He was a true gentleman and didn’t say a thing. Blondie appeared to be jealous, so I went to the den where she jumped on my lap (making reading my book a challenge).

Last I looked BK is on the guest room bed, Blondie and Black Beauty in the den, and Buddy in the bedroom. The furry ones are home for now, and not a moment too soon. Temperature tonight is supposed to be about 3°F.

"Having someone wonder where you are when you don't come home at night is a very old human need." ~Margaret Mead

[do you think this is true for cats?]

Define "White"

Snow, snow, snow.  I went out and shoveled some of the stuff off the deck and within 5 minutes it was covered again.  What's up with this?

Actually, this weather started a couple weeks ago, when we hit a brief "warm" spell.  At that time the challenge was taking a photograph of foot prints on the deck, which was frosty.  Then the snow came back. 

This morning I looked out the kitchen window and saw the birds attacking the remaining seeds in the feeder.  I figured I needed to gear up and head out for a refill. 

To be honest, it almost took longer to prepare for my journey outside than I was willing to remain in the elements.  I pulled on my Carhart bibs over my sweats, added my boots, put on my bright orange ski jacket, and completed the ensemble with my camo-print stocking hat that covers my head (and has eye slits).  I am certain that I could have made the center fold of a northern Canada hunting magazine.

Naturally, after shoveling a little (and watching my efforts immediately obliterated by additional white), feeding the birds, and taking a few photos, my fingers were turning white (must have worn the wrong gloves for my mission).  I returned inside to the blazing heat of 64. 

Now I gaze out and find a stiff wind (as demonstrated by the flag flying straight out) from the west and SUNSHINE!  The stuff has quit falling (for now).  Maybe the wind will clear the sky lights. 

No running outside today.  Training continues, and thus I look at a long, dull run on the basement treadmill.  Beats trying to shovel stuff that is only going to reposition itself back on the empty space I create. 

"Cats are smarter than dogs.  You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow." - Jeff Valdez (author)

Random Thoughts "W"

Waiting - waiting for the predicted storm that will deposit up to 7 inches of the white material on top of the partially melted and iced over snow already lying around.

Wonder where BK is - he went out on Thursday evening and has not reappeared.  I hope he hasn't been turned into Mr. Coyote's dinner.

Why don't I have to go to the bathroom until after the entire pot of coffee is finished?  Then, why do I have to go to the bathroom as soon as I eat?  When I was in college, one of my roommates heard me in the bathroom and remarked that I "pee-ed like a race horse."  Has my bladder shrunk (while my waist expanded)?

When should I decide to quit looking for a job?  The unemployment statistics that are published don't tell the entire story - and most likely a million job seekers have "dropped out" of the hunt (and are eliminated from the numbers, along with the recent college graduates - see earlier post).

Where should I target my retirement years - roaming the continent, snuggled in a small cabin located in a wooded part of the mountains, or (perish the thought) along a tropical beach fending off sand fleas and hurricanes?

"The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem worth stating, and to end with something so paradoxical that no one will believe it." ~Bertrand Russell

Getting Back in the Swing

Finally, an organized (if not totally productive) day.  I applied for one job (in Denver for you ski fans), got on the treadmill and did a 3.0-mile training with "hills" (still very slow thanks to the lingering head cold), and am now ready to clean bathrooms.  I have checked off a number of "to do" list items, sent notes (electronic and others), and made calls. 

Now to get the cleaning stuff in gear.  I have a 30-minute window, then time for a shower before this evening's learning experience(s).  Mondays are great days.  I hope I can maintain the momentum again tomorrow.

"The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn." ~David Russell