My Crazy Fern

My asparagus fern sits on a plant stand in my bedroom near the window. It enjoys the filtered light and seems to thrive. A great accomplishment for me.

Last week I noticed it had sent out a feeler that had creeped through my blind. Since I sleep during the day I rarely open the blinds and hadn't noticed it had done that so I opened them to see what it was up to.

I was surprised to see it branching out against the glass, the cold frosty glass. And it seemed content. And I thought they were so fragile.


While I was taking the shot of it I heard a magical sound and just then a plow went through. Wow, 2 days and it finally made it. We can finally escape the house if we want. Just knowing that make you feel better..


Yesterday an ambulance went by before they had plowed. They made it to the top of this hill and around the corner before becoming trapped in the snow. I wondered about the condition of the patient they were traveling to get. I hope it wasn't very serious.

With our almost 2 feet of snow I couldn't help but notice that the only people out and about where those in those terrible gas eating SUV's and trucks. What would happen in this area of the woods if we were all forced to drive electric cars and little puddle jumpers. Nurses and Doctors wouldn't get to work. Ambulances wouldn't get to their patients. Firemen, policemen, city workers, all unable to get to work. The city would grind to a stop. People would die.

You didn't see any smart cars driving around. No electric cars in the area's that lost power. You saw big powerful trucks, 4 wheel drives, snow mobiles and one lone bicycle (nut). And mini van, all wheel drive mini vans.

Last night Rick grilled us a steak. To celebrate putting 2 foot of snow from our driveway to our yard so we could walk and get the vehicles out. And a path so Zoey could get to the woods for her nature calls. Poor thing. And a path to the pear tree where all the critters come to expect to find food. Apples, corn bread, seed and carrots.

Today..... today I may go to my son's and give them the rest of their gifts. Maybe go out to eat. Maybe take photos of the storm. And to whoever invented snowblowers I just want to say thank you thank you thank you..

Digging out

The snow is blocking the front door and my porch is buried under there somewhere.



They are thinking we have around 17.5 inches so far and where it has drifted there are some 20 inch piles. So pretty. There is not a car moving up here in the hills. Very quiet and pretty. A few snowmobiles have gone by but nothing else. No plows.

Rick and I are dressing in layers to tackle the job of moving the snow around. Thank goodness he brought the snow blower home finally. I have the roof shovel and am going to try and get some of the snow off the roof before we get any worse snow dams. One year the ice built up so thick it ruined my ceiling. I sure don't want that again. The drifts along side parts of the house are up to our windows and would come to my armpits. Zoey leaped out into one and disappeared briefly. I think she thought it would be firmer. Her face was pretty cute when she managed to climb out.

My cameras are ready for taking some shots. Snow shots are a challenge because of the glare but I will see how they turn out.

We are lucky to still have our power. Some states are out. Burrrrrr. And I have plenty to eat around here plus a couple of bottles of wine to take the cabin fever away. I talked to my sons and they had a great Christmas and loved the gifts. We are sad we couldn't get together but now will plan a NY eve dinner and get together. And talking to the grandkids last night it sounds like they had a lovely Christmas also. Rick loved the shirts I got him and looks very handsome in them and I got a digital photo frame which I have wanted since last year. Life is good.

Well, can't delay any longer. I am going to make up a batch of hot buttered run batter later as it will be perfect after a day of digging out from the storm. We have more snow expected so better make a dent in this. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Just got back in after getting the driveways dug out and it is snowing up a storm again.

Merry Christmas

I am so happy to have made it home I could just cry. I won't bore you with the details of how bad it is out, but will just say I haven't been driven in weather this bad for at least 30 years. I love my husband for picking me up. Terrifying. But after a looooonnnnnggggg stretch at work I am home, safe and sound and Rick and I celebrated a quiet holiday alone. We weren't able to get to my son's but my heart is glad just knowing everyone is home safe and not on the roads which are just terrible. Coming home today was the scariest thing I have done in a long time.

And I told my patients during the night that the best present I could have gotten this year was to be there with them doing what I could to make them feel better. And I mean it. What better gift is there then making an ill patient feel better and safe and secure in the middle of the this terrible weather. I hope and pray every had a wonderful Christmas. Next week when hopefully we get the 20 ft drifts shoveled away from our door we will spend a day with our son's. Just knowing they are safe is good enough for now. Peace and Joy to all.

The Epic Blizzard of the Year

At least that is what the weather station is calling it. It wasn't to bad this morning and I was able to make it home but now the roads are ice covered and we have had about 3 to 4 inches so far. It is suppose to slow down for awhile and then in the middle of the night start snowing for earnest. They are saying around 20 inches of snow, blowing wind, just icky weather which will go to Friday.



So if I make it to work tonight I am just bringing some clothes planning on staying probably til Friday morning or afternoon. We have lots of patients and nurses who live out of town. If the ones who make it there sleep in shifts we can cover.


Ohhhhh, I just heard a lovely sound. No..... not Santa's sledbells. The sound of a plow in the distance. Please clean this very very steep hill for me before I have to go to work. He sounds pretty far away though.


My youngest son lost control of his car and spun completely around but managed not to get hit and turned around and went home. His job is 45 miles away and they are going to be closing the highway so I am glad he will be home. My oldest drives for a dump truck and they were told they have to work no matter what tomorrow. What a crock.. Garbage is not worth the lives of the drivers. I have to be at work. I take care of humans. Whats garbage going to do? Die! It won't even rot in this weather.




I told my oldest son that we probably won't be able to come for Christmas dinner, but I am off after Friday morning so we will get together later in the week. I just want them all to be safe.

I decided to decorate with my old postcards of my MIL's. And work will feed us for Christmas, especially since so many of us will be trapped there. I am almost positive I won't make it home until Friday so once again. Have a Merry Christmas on the baby Jesus's birthday. May peace and joy fill your houses with love. For on this day a child was born.

Winter bad weather

They are saying for sure we are going to get a terrible ice and snow storm. Since I have to work the next 3 days I am packing up in case I can't get home. Please let me get home on Christmas at least. Our floor is packed of course. So we will have plenty of patients to keep us busy. I hope the families stay home and safe. Keep your fingers crossed the weather service is wrong and if not, Merry Christmas everyone.

Bon Hiver, Winter Solstice

Happy winter all, May warmth, happiness and family surround you during this holiest of seasons.

Now is the solstice of the year,
winter is the glad song that you hear.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Have the lads up ready in a line.

Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.

Join together beneath the mistletoe.
by the holy oak whereon it grows.
Seven druids dance in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.

Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.

Praise be to the distant sister sun,
joyful as the silver planets run.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.
Ring out those bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Ring on, ring out.
Ring on, ring out.

Getting closer

The days are flying by and Christmas will soon be here. I have my shopping done, the pressure is off. I am buying the Christmas goodies from a baker at work since I work all week and my new comforter arrived which makes it feel like I am sleeping in clouds. Life is good.

We have been busy at work. This type of cold weather is so hard on peoples hearts. We have several Congested Heart failure patients and patients with heart attacks and a-fib. Things to think about. The cost of hiring to have your snow removed is loads cheaper then having a heart attack. And not missing a dose of your medicine, even if it does make you run to the restroom a lot is cheaper, and less scary, then being admitted to the hospital not being able to breath. Take care this season.

Speaking of CHF my little sister just got out of the hospital for CHF. I am glad she is feeling better and hope she is feeling good enough to enjoy Christmas. Always reason to celebrate.

I see the doc tomorrow about my back and then tomorrow we will celebrate the winter solstice. While the solstice is typically observed for a 24-hour period, the actual event lasts only one second. At the moment of winter’s solstice, the Sun is at its greatest distance from the equatorial plane and shines directly over the Tropic of Capricorn (for the northern hemisphere). Always reason to celebrate.

Rick just got back after making a pizza run. He didn't feel like cooking tonight but did make some fresh cookies this morning so he is forgiven. So I will close for now. I have Christmas music on and I just love the songs of the season.