Thursday, January 29, 2009

I AM SO OVER WINTER!

It is freezing cold here again.  The wind is up and the snow blowing around is sure to make driving loads of fun.  I just put on heavy wool hiking socks and my feet are loving it.  It has snowed here day after day while only twenty miles down the road it's been sunny on occassion and, dare I say it, warm?  It is -4 deg. and that may be the high point of the day.  It doesn't matter how hot the stove is it just isn't warm unless I'm sitting on it.

I can usually find beauty in this place no matter how bad the weather but I am sick of the wind.  I just had an email sent to me that asked what are the three things you want most this year?  All of the previous answers included...Let the wind stop blowing...This is the reason people go stir crazy.  This is what causes cabin fever.  If you stay inside you get depressed.  If you go outside you get cold and depressed.  Winter in the high country is not for the weak.  I know I have it better than the folks in the midwest with no heat or electricity.  At least I'm prepared for it and I have a wood stove.  Losing electricity here would mean losing water as heat tapes are the only thing that keeps my pipes from freezing up.

It's too nasty to go out and haul in wood this morning so I'm just putting on another layer of clothing.  Global warming will bring with it added winds.  I can't imagine people living up here if it gets much worse.  Although property costs will certainly go down, the ideal house will be under ground or dug into a bunker situation in the side of a hill.  By the time I get all the clothing on I need to go outside I will be tired enough for a nap.  Instead I will go to work.  It is very warm there.  Thank God

Sunday, January 25, 2009


It snowed again last night.  It looks like snow is called for most of next week.  The dog is outside now with an inch of fresh powder on his back looking happy.  I wish my insulation was that good!

The wood stove has been burning all night.  For once in Empire there is no wind!  The heat from the wood is actually staying in my home instead of blowing up the chimney.  I'm not going anywhere today so I won't have to deal with the icy roads.  I'm looking forward to making fat home made noodles to go with the chicken and wild mushrooms that has been slow cooking since last night.  I'll put herbs in them and then let them dry on racks in my kitchen.  Tonight I'll throw them into that pot of chicken and broth and in a few minutes have my favorite comfort food.  

I'm going to take my camera and the dog and go hiking for a while later today.  I'm torn right now between reading some more of the "Life of a Storyteller" the old biography of Isak Dinesen, and going up town and having breakfast with the boys.  I may not even get dressed today having worn sweats to bed last night.  I'll throw on socks, boots , gloves and a major coat, who will know my night clothes are under all of that?  Pretty lazy huh?