So Much White

I was anticipating a light dusting of snow today. I think five inches could be a scooper if it were not so wet as some of it wants to melt that is closer to the ground.

My first floor tasks included making some egg salad that Dennis said he had a hankering for.  I will say several of those eggs were not cooperating.  Holding a boiled egg under water for peeling does help.

On a wintering day that presented itself today, I am thankful I can pull from activities that were honed decades in the past.  When Orlin and I were farming in Boon Lake Township, winter presented itself on just such a day as today.  With two small children it was possible that days indoors could well last until Easter. I am trusting that we will still have some fall days ahead.  Today I did head for the quiet of the sewing studio, taking my best memories with me for company.

In those day of old, indoors with Carrie and Kevin meant I needed to be on my “A” game.  Carrie at the age of four, needed to emulate whatever I was doing.  Then, as now, thread and fuzz were my companions and I would be well supplied for what resources would be needed for the winter days that would follow.  I do recall that at one point,  I took a white dish towel and made dots to denote various items on the towel. The towel would then be put in a small hoop.  The entire towel was full.  With a huge plastic needle and floss, Carrie could go from dot to dot to fill in the outline.  Ya . . . I was the forerunner of the dot to dot color books with which someone made a million dollars.  Wouldn’t ya know!

Kevin, navigating as a two year old, didn’t need structured activity.  A cardboard box with some toys, the bottom portion of the gas kitchen range that housed pots and pans, or waste baskets that needed emptying and sorting.  All was fair game.  Luckily Kevin could make the basement steps safely.  All that was required of me was to follow up whether it was up or down to see what could be rescued.  Snoopy, the family dog, had his rug in the back entry and that was always a favorite stop for Kevin.  Looking back, naps were always my favorite part of the day for those two wee ones. 

Today may set the tone for some days to come.  I am prepared today much as I was in the mid 60s.  I like to stay busy and I like to have something to show for my days.  As I can easily become distracted in my sewing studio, the day may go quickly with quite not so much to show for it.  I am content. 

I did check on Dennis often today in the patio porch.  He was content having the three cats off and on his lap while he had the Rural Farm channel on.  As long as I can see him as I look out the bathroom window and I can see the steam billowing from the chimney of the patio porch’s furnace . . . it’s a good thing. I took afternoon coffee break items out to enjoy with him at three.  I am secure in how my winter will be. Time will tell about Dennis’ days . . . taking one day at a time.