Thursday, or Thereabouts - February 27, 2014

Fair Warning

Yet another sinister swirling mass of arctic air has hijacked positive temperatures.
Remember this breathtaking chill when the weather patterns reverse engines and fire breathe out a blistering heat wave. It will happen and there will be complaints about that too.






I give you fair warning that I will be among the first to rant about the heat.
Be prepared for feverish discussions of those malevolent "3H's" -

Hazy, Hot & Humid. 

Oh I can just feel it now -
sweltering, sweating, bug swotting,
sunscreen slathering, hammock swinging, lemonade drinking,
barbeque smokin', strawberry picking, corn boiling, tomato reddening

HEAT!

Ahhhhhhhhh.....

©2014 April Hoeller

Monday Moanings - January 20, 2014

A Letter to my Seasonal Amour






Dear Old Man Winter,
I have been a big fan of yours since forever. I quicken to the first touch of your fresh breath each year and my heart warms in anticipation of your star crystals and icicles. I love the melt in your mouth taste of fresh snowflakes and the squeak of wintertide footsteps on super cool ground. And that polar vortex thingy ya got going this year? Well, that's got everybody talking, even the BBC!













I remember with delight the screaming joy of hurtling down snow packed slopes on my red "flying" saucer or
sometimes even the big old wooden toboggan with my Dad or sister on board for ballast.

And honestly nothing can top one of your bright, crisp snow sparkling days set underneath a sky so blue that it is beyond words. I love the cocoon you encourage me to burrow into when the weather outside is frightful; thick fleece and hot tea by a crackling fire, so warm, so safe and oh so very content.







Indeed I have loved you all my life, BUT here's the thing dear old, yet somehow ageless friend bounding with ceaseless energy, I am not six or sixteen or even six and forty any more. Though I still revel in the gifts you bring, at least at first, you must know that snow and ice now present a great threat to life and especially limb. Age has brought me a huge fear of bone breaking tumbles, occasioned by the meeting of a slower reaction time with a slippery slope. Also my old arthritic hands can never come to terms with your new-fangled  polar vortex. So, I think it's time for you to go. I still love you. I will still eagerly await your return, same time next year. Just remember to schedule your departure for January 20th, give or take a day - I am after all, flexible.





Have a great trip back south of the equator. I'm sure they'll be thrilled with your early arrival!
Hugs and kisses,
April

p.s. Our snow blower is busted and in the shop. BACK OFF!
p.p.s. The solar panels can't enjoy your brilliant sunshine. BACK OFF!

©2014 April Hoeller

Thursday, or Thereabouts - January 9, 2014

A Return to Regularly Scheduled Programming

Trying and very trying. That about sums up my stumbling yet well intentioned attempts to pick up where I left off before the Christmas Express roared through. Gone are the flashing lights and ringing bells, and the crossing barriers have been lifted but getting back to normal has eluded me. Normal includes the gym at least three times a week, regular meals and healthy snacks, along with serious backside in chair writing time.

Monday we awoke to a foot of fresh snow topped with a delightfully thin crisp layer of ice. No problem, we have a snow blower. Ah yes but the drive belt broke less than five minutes into the job, so my love and I had to clear the driveway the old fashioned way. Three hours later we had the job done - it's a long driveway and there are also the walkways and decks. Then we hauled the snowblower into the back of the 4 x 4 and took it to the mechanic.

Tuesday the much hyped polar vortex arrived. It was -26C (-15F) with a wicked wind chill (-40 C & F). I elected to stay indoors only to be serenaded by the siren call of the cookies trapped in the Christmas tins stacked up on the buffet in the dining room. I rescued far too many of them! And Wednesday was hijacked by a migraine (perhaps caused by the weather and too many cookies?). Later in the day when I was feeling much better, my good deed was to rescue a few more of those imprisoned cookies.

Today there is just a glimmer of normal. It's sunny, the -14C I awoke to has already risen to a toasty -10, AND here I sit writing my blog for Thursday. There is hope! But later I'm having a leisurely lunch with a friend, so no gym, no lengthy writing time.

I think it's time for Katie Scarlett O'Hara to step into the breach - Tomorrow is another day!

Cheers!

©2014 April Hoeller