Let’s start with excuses. I am so good at excuses. I went on a cruise – an eleven-day cruise – to the Caribbean. 85 degrees (F) during the day and 75 at night. The kind where you can sit on the deck 24 hours a day. Blue skies except for that occasional minute shower that doesn’t leave you chilled. The full internet, allowing me to send out a blog, would have cost me close to $400. I love you guys but… Before I got back home I did catch a small head cold. I always catch a cold sometime in the winter, always sometime between December and February. The cold wasn’t so bad but I have mild bronchial asthma. When the cold is gone, the cough remains, requiring me to pull out my inhaler. One week for the cold and two weeks trying to catch my breath. So, now here I sit pouring my contrite heart out to you, having missed each and every one of you for three blog weeks. It does make me happy to connect with my world of readers (one is in Scotland, yes, the country).
The last couple of days have been interesting. Winter in the North/ Northeast has been brutal this year. They say this storm will touch us here in Wilmington, North Carolina. We are an oceanside city near the border of South Carolina. Snow appears here once every fifty years or so. Apparently, this is that time of appearance. Up until today it has been cold for sure, mostly freezing but the sky has been blue, blue, blue with not a cloud in sight. The snow was to dance in last night (midnight). I woke up at midnight. No snow. It is supposed to keep snowing through 10:00 AM. It is 8:00 AM now. No snow. However, the wind has started to kick up, and the tiny finches (and one Cardinal) are visiting my feeder with the fury of children under a newly broken piñata. Even my nemesis, The Squirrel, has given a quick visit. I’ve decided to let him/her invade THIS ONE TIME!
The building where I live has been prepared. They are offering one meal a day for the next three days. The pub will be closed for three days (Ahhhh!). If power is lost, they have a generator but it will run the hallway lights and power in the main lobby. No heat, no hot water and no power in my room if we actually lose power. If, If, If! We are betting on the true fact that one of the CEOs (at the power company) has a mother who lives here. However, if she goes to stay with him for the weekend, all bets are off!
Personally, I think I am prepared. In California, neighbors joined together to create emergency packs, preparing for evacuations, earthquakes and fires. I pulled out two battery packs that work for my phone. I have flashlights, batteries and lots of candles. I have food that does not require a lot of refrigeration and does not need to be heated. If the front has power then I will be able to go out and use their coffee machine which makes ‘not so terrible coffee.’
The Squirrel is back and has brought a friend. Apparently, there is a breed of squirrel that does not mind the Cayenne pepper with which I generously salted the seeds. He/she does not realize my “cease-fire” treaty has limits! Don’t worry, my idea of point-and-shoot is to open the door, run out, wave my arms and yell, “Go Away!” Pretty scary, huh?
If we actually get snow it will be big news here. I may even write a mid-week blog, although my reader in Scotland told me once that she couldn’t keep up with too many posts. That’s because she is always somewhere: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Greece. I could write a blog on how I feel about that.
12 responses to “Where Ya Been?”
Hang in there! It sounds like, if you had a squirrel-proof cage, you could put your refrigerated items on your back porch. Hope the CEO’s mom stays in place. 🤞
(Say “hi” to your Scotland globe trotter for me.)
Well, its too cold for me out there. I only have California clothing. Will need to do something about that, someday. If I didn’t have the pesky squirrel my life would be very boring right now.
Snow huh!!!! Well if you lose power hunker down with JoJo with blankets and a good book that you can read by flashlight or book light. Hopefully you won’t lose power and all will be fine.
You are in my prayers my friend,
Laurie
It finally started snowing a couple of days ago. I may write about that next. I covet your prayers. My love to everyone.
Thanks for your exciting life update, Robin! Weather here in Sonoma County has been very mild, no rain , sunny skies.
Take care!
We finally got snow, real snow! I miss you all so much.
Wondered where you were and hoping you were ok. Glad you were having fun on a trip. Good to have you back.
It is good to be back to ‘normal.’ ;-}
Robin I implore you to have mercy on the crafty little squirrel critters, I love them so much and bless the sight of one in the Orchard that escapes the poisoning of the gate keepers. I guess it’s all for the other desired species of the winged ones, which coexist just fine with one another.
So jealous, you went on an eight day Caribbean cruise, and right in your back yard, sorry to hear you caught cold, travel will do that.
We do miss your excellent presence here on McIntosh, 😿but life is for the living and those who move on. So please, continue to live your best life, while some of us just get old.
I was thinking about all the ladies I am acquainted with who have lost an adult child, because of Kathy Gates daughter passing this last month after some hospitalization. Carol and Jeanne, from Bunco, both lost daughters. Now, Kathy, who lived across the street directly from you, has lost her son, due to gang violence. What is this trend of middle age children passing before us oldies, can they not make the long passage? Rattling on my thoughts 💭
I feel January’s jab and am happy, I told this to the rising full moon 🌕, to move on to a slightly warmer (I hope) February. The Orchard chugs on, with the usual players, as I dip my toe here and there. Our core Journaling group continues to be present, write ✍🏻 and read. Always a good therapy hour. I am trying to get somewhere on my grandmothers tomb, but I keep writing inappropriate information.
I am happy to be on your thread however thin or infrequent , never explain ( extra credit for a lovely holiday card)Thank you.
So, I don’t think it’s too late to wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year ❤️💜🩷😘
Sunny tweets Hi too, I swear, I often think, don’t worry, he’s heard it all. What a therapy pet he is. By for now
What a lovely note. Thank you. I bought a lovely water color of a church from one of the “artist” residents here. The fact that it is a watercolor made me think of you. I will take a snap of it and forward it on to you.
Hahaha! Funny ending. Glad you had fun and more happy that you’re back. I’ve missed your blogs!
I’ve missed me too.