Temporary relocation

An ice storm scares me as much as any other storm. It is beautiful but dangerous and damaging. We had a whopper of an ice storm last night and 15 hours later, we are still without power.

Luckily, we can afford to pick up and move to a local motel where there is plenty of power and all the things electricity make possible...like writing in my blog. But I keep thinking about home. Did any more branches fall? We already had quite a few big one down. Is the redbud tree going to make it? It was terribly stressed by the weight of the ice and had developed a crack in its trunk. If it stays this cold for another week like the weather people are saying, will the ice build up do even more damage as it sits on the tree branches for days? Will our pipes freeze? Our house is cold and dark. I don't like that thought.

I'm not a person who dislikes winter but this...this is something different. And scary.

Two hour delay

I feel a little guilty about loving today's two hour delay as much as I do. But there it is...I love this delay.

I need to spend time with my students and this is cutting into that time. However, the joy of coffee and knitting during an impromptu vacation is so strong that it runs over all of my professional considerations.

I'm going to go get ready for school and I'm going to work hard to give my students what they need the rest of this day...but I sure did love my extra two hours to myself.

More Mid December

It's cozy here. No wonder it's so hard to leave home.

Mid December

...favorite and familiar ornaments...

Dad

Ever since my mom died almost 12 years ago, I've been part of the team that cared for my dad. He lived alone and was able to be by himself most of that time but he still needed to be cared for...first because of his grief, then because he needed the companionship, gradually because he needed help with everyday tasks. I didn't do anywhere near as much as Beth and Amy but spending time with him was part of the rhythm of my week.

He was very sick when he died two weeks ago. Thank God he was only sick for about three weeks at the very end. It was so hard to see him in such pain and I said more than once that I hoped he would die. Then he did. I was expecting relief and there is relief but I have been surprised by the depth of my sorrow.

I'm glad that he is at rest. I even think that in some way I don't understand, he is with his Peggy and all of his family who have died. But I'm sad for me. And I'm sad for our family. This is sad.
But these eight grandkids...I can see parts of him in all of them. And I tell you...my dad was really something. He will be remembered for a long time.

Staying home (I wish)

It's wintry cold even though the calendar still claims that it is autumn. There is still a lot to do to get ready for my dad's memorial party next weekend but all I want to do is cozy up at home and knit.

Sad times

Taking care of all the details following my dad's death...