The smell and feelings of Christmas are in the air!
Well we are beginning to recover from our latest (12/01/06) snow storm. The "pack ice" is about gone and maneuvering around is better, at least a break for the shock aborbers from the road "washboard". Time to get the cars washed off top and underbelly to get rid of the salt.
Lots of complaints about our snow removal efforts, especially at Tuesday's council meeting which Polly and sometimes I watch on PBS channel every week...a few irate council people and MANY questions. Bottom line - staff cuts, breaking down equipment, and lack of resources, and all that needs to be fixed. Also, still lots of folks in Illinois / Missouri without power, so please be thinking of them. Oh, speaking of Christmas presents, our electric rates are scheduled to go up about 55% next year.
If they would only use chains, like we do and did down south...remember delivering papers at 16 yrs old, in January 1966, in 4 degree weather with 16 inches of snow and "no immediate snow removal". Had the chains hooked up on Mom's car and delivered on time...thanks to and with help from Louis Jewell (high school friend, 1967 NC 4A 100 yd dash champ, and first white freshman at J C Smith University in Charlotte)...we had a blast!
One of our local FM stations is playing Christmas music, starting now, and through the holidays. All different, from the traditional to jazz to almost rap / hip hop.
We've been shopping, mostly on line, for the kids and grandkids (9 of them now)...they are all precious!
Yikes, it was a bit chilly this AM, but didn't notice it was -4 per the TV weather man...ties 1958 record for December 8...ah, to cut grass again. Still getting enough gumption to take the scraps to the compost bins back of the shed. Beginning to pile up. Will venture out tomorrow with high boots...should be warmer than the 17 degrees today, but heck, it was sunny. May rain next week.
The Stainback Zoo has a very nice web site now...and most important...updated frequently with events, pictures. There is a PA Stainbacks link on the StainbackFamily.com home page or you can go direct to http://thestainbackzoo.blogspot.com. Also, check out the newest feature "Pic of the Week" on StainbackFamily.com.
About time for bed...had another bout with the allergy-related, watery eye, inflamed tear duct, on the right eye today. Getting tired of that stuff...and my left shoulder arthritis appears to be more frequent these colder days. It's fun to get older...but don't ask Mom...she has no concept of that.