Thursday in March.

Last night the wind was so high with blowing snow that it was battering the house.   I got up several times to make sure everything was secure.  The first time, I had just gotten into bed, turned light off and cuddled down, ready for sleep, when the fire alarm went off.   I got out of bed so fast and out through the living room that  it's all a blur.   The wood stove was back flawing, (wind sending smoke back down the chimney and out the stove.)   I had to take the smoke detector down, something I certainly didn't want to do, but it could have kept up all night.   The wind has  calmed down some this morning and the temperatures have gone up a bit.   I'm still expecting the power to go and as it's still dark, I'm carrying around a small flashlight. 

A couple of days ago I hauled out my box of seeds.   A bit premature but spring has to come sometime and at this point one is chomping at the bit to get out at the garden.   I lost heart in gardening last year what with himself so sick and in and out of hospital.

The cats get frustrated on the days they can't go out because of the snow.   Not much for them to do outside at this point.   The deck was clear of snow for a bit and they did enjoy sitting out in the sun.

Tommy and Freya watching a neighbours cat go by.

  

Tommy and Stanley.

Tommy loving a sun spot inside the house.

Lots of birds about these days.   Here's a few.

Nuthatch.

Woodpecker.

Blue jay.

Hard Winter!

I was sitting here thinking this morning that this was the winter from hell.   Not only that himself was so sick and then passed away but the brutally cold nights and many days as well.   The pipes freezing twice, having to then let the water run every night after so they wouldn't freeze again.  Putting up with the loads of snow we've had this winter.   Dealing with five cats that have cabin fever at this point.   Having to make a trip to the dentist to have a tooth repaired.   Now with tendinitis in the elbow.  Got a prescription from the doctor for that but when I read the bad side of taking those particular pills, ie:  bleeding stomach, stroke, etc.  I only took two of them.   Then the ice build up, about six inches of it under the snow on the roof and.because the sun is giving off more heat these days, the ice is starting to melt and I now have leaks.   Then late in the afternoon when the sun goes down, the ice and water freezes and the leaks stop.   I went up on the roof yesterday and pushed as much snow as I could off that area but don't think it did much good.  I expect I'll need a boat to get out of here by the time all the ice melts and comes through the roof, haha. 

So, then I thought, girl, you're feeling sorry for yourself.   And I thought of the people with no food, no roof over their heads, sick and miserable and my problems seems so small.  I have two wonderful fellows, I'll say looking after me, that are making sure I have enough wood to burn, freeing up the frozen pipes that I had, just being darn good people.  I wouldn't have survived here without them.  Other friends are coming to my aid with getting me to appointments, etc.  I really am blessed.  So, as bad as things seem there are so many others worse off. 

A rather cheerful picture taken in the kitchen.

Now I must go and take care of the water that's running in under the front door...sigh!