Wait It Out

I decided on this Blog title during our little snowstorm that started Friday and progressed through Saturday.  It is also my motto for getting through the rest of winter and the bad weather yet to come.  

There are many different things that cause us to wait and there are different ways to go about waiting.  If we are prepared to hunker down and ride it out, while having an attitude of submission and patience towards what is causing us to be held hostage in time, then the delay is not nearly so arduous.  What we do while caught (in the waiting room, stuck in traffic, at the bedside of a dying loved one, on a roof top during a flood, bound in a cast or an illness, or even on Mars as in the movie)... can affect the end result and how we feel about the whole experience.

And then there's the question about animals.  What does a horse on stall rest or cats and dogs in the shelter do?  They usually learn to submit to the wait (although often become depressed), or they might go stir crazy (and act up), or do a little of both.  For them it must be very difficult, for they have no idea when (or if, or even how) the waiting time will end.




Those of us who think the idea that "time heals everything," is a comfort and solution to someone who has suffered a great loss, I think have missed the mark.  In Adele's now popular song (Hello): "They say that time's supposed to heal ya.  But I ain't done much healing."  And in Imogen Heap's song (Wait It Out) the lyrics claim: "Everybody says that time heals everything. But what of the wretched hollow, the endless in between?"  John F. Kennedy's wise mother (Rose), who died at the age of 104 in 1995 and suffered many horrible losses) said “It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.”  It isn't ever easy to know what to say or do for people who are hurting.  They need to be given time, but they shouldn't have to wait it out alone.  We can help people (and animals) "wait it out" until there is healing, freedom, or an end to the sorrow, madness, suffering, and waiting.
 

Saturday morning it was still snowing during our pre-dawn walk.  But it had momentarily ceased when out later for another constitutional.
   







The white blanket covering everything was beautiful.  But the temperature had also dropped considerably and the wind picked up, so it felt and was really cold outside.

Maggie enjoyed numerous walks throughout the day, needing to be taken out every few hours, because she didn't always take care of business.  She delighted in digging up sticks beneath the snow or grabbing ice balls off the road and running and jumping with them in play.

I tried to merge three photos to give a panoramic view of the back yard, but couldn't get it to work.



I can't really account for doing much all day.  The sun was in and out as it snowed off and on.  I enjoyed the beauty of the scenery and birds at the feeders while I sat here at my computer.

For some reason, I lacked the motivation to be productive and didn't get any more of my filing project done.  Really, I have no idea what I did all day.  At dinner time, I even switched to hamburger helper instead of making spaghetti from scratch as I had originally planned.
  
I bought this hyacinth to take to Shirley who was recovering from surgery that had been done Friday, but she was snowed into Nashville.  So, for three days I got to enjoy the beauty, sweet smell and reminder that spring would come.

While I kept the fire stoked, Joe and I watched another movie on demand (Ricki And The Flash, with Meryl Streep being a great actress as usual).

Before bed, I took Maggie for an extra long walk because the wind stopped and it was so pretty out.  It amazes me how light it can be outside on a moonlight night in the snow.  I took several photos but none of them turned out.  You'll have to trust me, that it looked like this  ->.

I hadn't seen any deer in a few days, 






but Sunday morning this doe came to eat corn.
I took this series of photos.






  

I was planning to have to go into work at noon, but got a text message that the Conference Center would be closed yet another day because the parking lot was iced over.
  



  



It was another relaxing, do nothing morning.  We all (Stevie, Maggie, Joe and I) lazed around.  Joe watches TV and reads a lot and I tend to sit here at my computer, taking in people's comments, ideas, photos, and videos.
  



Mid-day we dropped by Shirley's, who had just gotten home.  And then went on to the gym for a good workout.  I used the leftover pork roast to throw together another good dinner.  

Then, while Joe watched Sunday night football, I worked at filing.  The last of this project consisted of making new folders for the new papers and to replace some of the old dog-eared folders.  I like to categorize my files in alphabetical order and I don't like two tabs one right behind the other, so I had to do some planning and organizing to complete this job.  Also, I intended to move some things into hanging files which are in the roll top desk upstairs and then convert Joe's office files to regular folders.  Most of his files are in the hanging folders, that the file cabinet doesn't have the bar racks to hold, so they tend to flop over from the weight of the metal hanging bracket at top.

Jan sent me this photo of the ice balls they have been knocking out of the hooves of the shod horse's when they come in each afternoon.  The brown is the underside where the ice was packed into the frog of the horses foot.  You can see the size of the ice ball that the horses are walking on.  Very slippery and dangerous when they come running into the barn.  Jan and Terry have been helping Karen, Sara, and Ambrie with leading the horses in, one by one, and using a hammer to knock out the ice stuck in their hoof and shoe.  These lady's give so much to the care of these horses.

Monday morning six deer came to eat at the different spots where I had put corn out.  I also noticed later, that they had eaten the tips of the arborvitae I had planted down by the salt block.  The right side photo is of a hawk who was "fishing."  Just after this shot, he snatched something out of the pond, but flew away with it before I could see what it was or get a photo.

We had the last of our nine week Bible study, which went extra long (9-noon) because we were wrapping things up. 

Don Hazel took this photo while hiking off-trail with three others.  They saw lots of signs of pigs rooting for acorns in the leaves, and then came upon a group of seven of them.  He remarked: "Notice they come in several colors.  The straight tail indicates wild Eurasian boar influence."



Tea and cookies here at my computer have become the norm, even though I keep telling myself I need to get out of this cycle.  It is not a good way to wait out the crummy weather.  

I finally got off my duff and took Maggie for a long walk, driving to roads we have not yet been on.
  

We started at Lake St. George dam and then headed down the side streets which soon became gravel roads heading into the woods.





Well, the walk was longer and more of a hike than I anticipated because the roads had lots of trees down and were snow and ice covered.  At times I found it easier to go into the woods where the trees hadn't fallen in our way.  It was an adventure as the dog and I got tangled with the leash in tree limbs, I slipped on my butt once, I kept thinking of the possibility of meeting up with wild pigs or even a bear, and I worried about getting back to the car before dark.

It was in the upper 40's while we walked, but both of us were pretty wet by the time we got home, well after dark.  Maggie joined me by the fire I had made, even though it wasn't really necessary.  But it warmed and dried us both.  Stevie also spent time snuggling with us.  I watched the movie "World Trade Center," a true story about Will Jimeno and his sergeant, John McLoughlin, being found alive, trapped under the wreckage while the rescue teams worked to save them.  They talked to each other during hours of pain as they had to wait it out for help to get them.

Seen right, I had taken this photo of the sun setting before I got back to the car.

I woke in the middle of the night and wondered if I should get up and do something till I got sleepy again, or if I should just wait it out until I fell back to sleep.  The waiting can last for what seems like hours, and I either fall back to sleep, or it is finally time to get up.  This time I fell asleep again.  But then it was after 6 am before I got up Tuesday morning.  

The skies were not sunny all day, and it rained, almost non-stop, until 7 pm.  Each time the dog came in from a walk she had to be toweled dry.  Through the course of the day, I worked at converting file folders, made many phone calls, and sent e-mails to both check in on neighbors and friends with health issues, and to plan for several events coming up in the next few weeks.  My life was about to get busy again.
  


Joe and I went to the gym together but each did our own thing.  He had to wait on me as usual, because I do more of a workout, and am slower in the shower.  I made chicken, veggie, and wild rice soup for dinner but afterwards spent more time at my computer than in front of the fire.


Wednesday started out overcast and felt cold because there was no sunshine.  I took Maggie on a long walk, again traversing undeveloped roads.  The one pictured left looked like it ended, but on the map it connected to another road.  So we forged onward. 
Basically, rock and rubble had been piled here long ago, probably in an attempt to build up the roadbed that went through a small ravine.  But it had never been leveled.  Trees were growing out of the pile and leaves and other trees had fallen on it.  You can see in the distance, the road did continue.  In this second photo, part of the road had washed out, so no vehicles had traveled down it in a long time.  Maggie and I always manage to make our way down these "roads."

The sun did finally come out as I headed into work (first time in eight days... not for the sun coming out, but for me going to work).  Half of my 1:30 - 7:15 shift was spent at pool side. 






It looks so much brighter and cleaner with the new paint job.  At the front desk, I helped Sabrina with making the 30 table decorations that would be needed, so the shift went quickly.  
  

A cute mailbox I saw during one of my walks.  

Waking up at almost 7:00 Thursday morning, I was tired and grouchy because I had not gotten my full night of sleep.  The night before, Joe got home later than expected (from playing cards)  and then stayed up awhile.  The combination of being worried and irritated, along with the light and noise, did not allow me to go back to sleep.  So I got up and spent nearly three hours here on the computer before going back to bed.  

Shortly after lunch, Joe joined Maggie and I for a walk.  I was going to do the far north section of Catoosa, but it is a busy road with not much shoulder, so I decided to make a loop, going on part of the North Hiking Trail loop.  It was muddy, slippery, windy, and mostly up hill while in the woods, taking 40 minutes to hike.  Another 12 minutes walking down the road and we were back to the car.

After dropping a muddy, wet dog off at the house, Joe took me to the gym and he went to swim and sit in the hot tub at the CC.  I was so relaxed and my legs felt like rubber after my weight workout and then a long shower. 

Maggie would really like to get her mouth on Stevie's mouse toys, but knows she is to play with her own toys.

If I am not watching though, the mice disappear.  Maggie knows to wait it out until I am not looking.

1  Back home, I finished the filing project!!   J
Joe has been so patient as he has had to wait it out for me to get done.  With everything back in drawers rather than scattered about, it looked much better.  Leftovers, fire, computer time, TV, and then bed, ended Thursday.


It felt like spring Friday morning so I took Maggie on a longer walk after breakfast.  The sun was warm and the birds were singing and there was hope that winter wouldn't last much longer.

Working on this blog most of the morning, I watched birds and squirrels come and go.

I picked up Shirley and we met Judy, Jan, Terry and Karen at Ruby Tuesday's for lunch, celebrating Karen's birthday.  The food and fellowship was great.  Our lunch lasted 2 1/2 hours we were having such a good time.  

Stevie was in the sun, on Maggie's bed when I got home.  It was tempting to join her on the floor there for a nap, but I carried through with my plans to walk more roads. 

I drove to Dorchester and parked there.  Our walk lasted 90 minutes.  There wasn't much new to report seeing except this (lower photo) nest made of sticks.  It was oval and a little larger than a football.  I wondered what bird had made it.



I had had such a large lunch that I only snacked for dinner.  I got a fire going and sat down here to finish this blog, but I was too tired to complete it.  I think I was sound asleep just after 8:30, the time I had gone to bed.

Oh, one last thought on waiting it out... don't do it when it comes to broken relationships or misunderstandings, thinking the problem will go away, get better, or resolve itself over time.  Life is too short and there is no guarantee for tomorrow.  Resolve any problem, disagreement, or transgression as soon as possible.   

Another Time

This week I have been procrastinating, while spending time reflecting.  I have filled many hours looking back on other times in the past... but in so doing, have put off until another time, things which should be getting done.

After working 6 of the past 7 days, I was ready Saturday, to take a break from everything. It was a cold and rainy day, and I ended up being a complete and total vegetable almost all day.
  







I only left the house for a few short dog walks and never even got out of my PJ's all day long.  Maggie loves playing with sticks while we walk.
 

Her bed has been moved to where the Christmas tree was, in front of our large picture window.  

This is a well loved spot for Maggie.  Stevie often establishes who is "boss" and then goes about snuggle time.

I did work a good part of the day on my files.  But like trim painting, there was not much to show for all the time I spent on it.  However, I did enjoy reading some cards, cherished letters, documents, old charts, a few horse articles, etc.


I got a kick out of this job chart I had made and used with the kids when they were quite young.  Ahhh, the memories... but into the recycle bin these went.

As I cleaned out files, leaving in them the things I wanted, it gave me more file drawer space.  But you could not tell that I had done anything.  In my mind though, I knew the files were more organized.  Next I started sorting and filing the many papers that had been stacked out of the way for so long.  Now I could see some progress being made.


We had deer in the woods early Sunday morning and I took a video of them running up and down the creek. However, I can't figure out how to link to the video on this new blogging site.  It's always something.  Maybe I can get it another time.
I met Karen at the barn at 8:45 and she and Sara helped me get worming medicine down both the horses.  Seen right, Zorro still has some wormer on his lips when I turned him out.

I had to rush to get to Church by 9:30, but made it in time.  Lisa and Nolan were there and joined Shirley and I.

This photo of Maggie kind of sums up most of my day.  I lazed around, sitting here at my computer, watching videos and reading links and comments by many of my FB friends.  I did do two loads of laundry, including all the Christmas blankets, and re-decorated with my safari theme pillows, blankets, and accessories.  

I had strained my back lifting the tub of logs I bring in regularly, as I "feed" the fire each evening.  It was kind of bothering me, but when I went to work out, just tightening the core muscles for every lifting exercise, really antagonized it.  As I left the Wellness Center, I photographed these two cars in the parking lot because I think they are so cute.

Conference Center can be seen in the background of this second photo.  Maybe in another time, or phase of life we will get a mini car.

Brian picked Joe and I up for dinner and we met Rita and Andy at Red's Ale House.  After good grub, a tasty drink, and lively conversation, I came home and sat with a heating pad on my back before Tylenol PM and bed. 

Monday morning the temperature was in the single digits and it started snowing while I was out with Maggie for her 5 am, pre-dawn, wake-up potty break.  The snow didn't last long or amount to much, but did give things a fresh look when the morning sunlight shone on them. 

The day remained quite cold, barely getting into the 20's.  Maggie and Stevie took advantage of the sunlight that warmed our great room.  When I got home after Bible study, I worked a little more on filing.  I actually got most of the dinner table cleared off.

Joe and I left for town about 3:30.  After spending a great deal of time at a tile store, I finally settled for a tile to use as a cap tile or bull nose to finish off the new kitchen tile project.  And then we high-tailed it to Rocky Top 10 Theater where we spent the next three hours.  We ate lots of popcorn while watching the action filled movie "The Revenant."  I don't know who is more ruthless, man or mother nature.  There was a 15 minute intermission in which we stretched our legs and got our free popcorn re-fill.  It was after 8:00 when we got home.  Maggie had a late dinner, and I stayed up a little later than usual.

During our second walk Tuesday morning (at 7:30), I took Maggie down to the pond to check it out.  At 7 degrees air temperature, the pond was almost completely covered by a thin layer of ice.  I did not see any signs of life but figured it laid dormant, down in the depths.






I too liked the idea of lying dormant, and sat here with the heating pad on my back, drinking tea, watching the birds feed, and working on this blog.  I also indulged in more sweets than necessary.  

I had called the tile company to cancel my order, having looked at where the tile was going, and giving it more thought overnight.  I told them I would be back.  So by midmorning, I came out of "hibernation" and went into town to run several errands, including more tile shopping.

We had a few more snow flurries, but it only stuck to the ice on the pond and our deck.
I spent three hours at the Wellness Center, going slow and careful on weights, so as not to farther strain my back.  The 48 minutes on the elliptical flew by because I was watching a good home renovation show on HGTV.  Finally, I partook in 40 minutes of the one hour stretch class before heading to the shower.  I really need to spend more time on stretching. 

By bedtime, Cumberland County schools and the Conference Center had announced their closing... in anticipation of the "snowstorm" that was due to hit in the wee hours of the night.

When I got up before 6 am Wednesday, there was no snow, but a freezing rain (sleet) had just started.  Seen right, sleeting at 9 am.  Seen below, snow coming down in big wet flakes at 9:15 am.  

The snow was covering a quarter inch of ice, so it was slick out.  I was glad I had nowhere I had to go, but was worried about neighbor Brian who was flying out of Knoxville to see his Marine son in Singapore, neighbor Carol who needed to get back to the hospital in town where Allen was staying (with pancreatitis), and the barn ladies who had to go take care of all of our horses.  

I texted Ambrie to see how things were at the barn.  She sent a photo and re-assured me all was well.  



It continued snowing all morning and, as seen in my post on Facebook... when the "kids" have a snow day, they start to rough house.

       


Shortly before noon, Joe took my car to go workout because his was all iced over.

I set to work taking down Christmas decorations, carefully packing them into their designated tubs, and watched it snow.  
   

I had to monitor my e-mail in case the Glade staff re-opened the Conference Center, since I was scheduled to work 1:30-7 pm.  Thankfully, it did not come to pass, even though the snow had stopped and Joe said the roads weren't bad.  I was glad to get the day off.


Just before Joe left for his card game at 4:00, he pointed out these crazy people golfing.  I watched them for a few minutes as I took a few photos.  They were clearing paths across the green, for their balls to get to the hole.  This is not good for the green, but the couple seemed to be having fun, and you can't hardly blame them if they are staying here for a week of golf.   

The "kids" playing under the card table that I had out while doing Christmas take-down of mantel and shelves.  I have to remind Maggie to be gentle.  Below, she is giving me her innocent face.  Once I got all decorations cleared off and everything packed away up in the attic,    
I made a big salad for dinner, and started a fire.  I tried shoveling the drive and sidewalk, but I could only remove the snow, not the layer of ice beneath.  I sat by the fire (where Maggie and Stevie joined me) and watched HGTV for a few hours before bed.

The Glade facilities (including the Conference Center) were closed at the start of Thursday, but opened at 10 am.  All the roads had been plowed overnight and when the sun came out mid morning, it began melting the ice.  

I started major cleaning in the main room, moving the couches and vacuuming where it never gets done (being left for another time).  Joe helped by vacuuming the couch pillows and under each of them.  Then I worked for an hour shoveling the drive, getting much of the ice off of it.  At noon, Joe and I went to the gym and then CC pool and hot tub.  I didn't do weights because I had just gotten a good arm and upper body workout with the snow shovel.  The hot tub felt great after an hour on the elliptical.

My afternoon was spent with more vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning knick-knacks, as I returned everything to the mantel, shelves and end tables.  I had also gotten a pork roast and vegetables in the oven and a fire going in the fireplace.


  


After dinner, with a mostly clean main room, full belly, and inviting fire... Joe and I rented (on demand) the movie The Martian, and really enjoyed watching it.  Maggie and Stevie snuggled nearby.

It had rained all night and continued through the morning Friday.  I tried to time the dog walks when it wasn't raining so hard.

I sat here working on this blog, looking out at the gloom, while Maggie kept watch for deer.
 
In preparation to finish vacuuming, I moved everything off the floor.  And before I could fire up the vacuum, Maggie laid down in her spot and was practically asleep.  

Mark, the handyman Joe contacted, arrived about 10:00, when it also started sleeting/snowing.  He looked at the controllable thermostat Joe had tried to put in and said it needed an electrician to do some wiring.  Then Mark installed the water heater recirculating device Joe had gotten.  This means I can get hot water in the kitchen in ten seconds instead of several minutes.
While the weather alternated between rain/sleet/and snow, Joe and I worked out at the gym and bought groceries at a very crowded Food City.  The snow would have been so much prettier and less slippery, but making the transition from rain to snow got messy.





After a very late lunch, we were soon on the way to the barn.  The drive made me nervous even though the roads weren't too bad... although we traveled at a much slower speed than usual.

Joe brushed the snow and mud off Amiga while I took care of Zorro and then Gov.  Oscar and Scruffie watched while trying to stay warm.  Actually, it wasn't that cold (30 degrees).

  

The right photo was taken of us heading away from the barn at 4 pm.  Below, it was more serious about snowing as we drove home.

  


I took Maggie for a walk once we got home, and took several photos because she is just so cute.

She really likes playing in the snow, finding sticks, running, and sniffing all around.

Back inside by 5 pm, I got a fire going, started dinner, and enjoyed watching the snow fall.  Snow storms like this always take me back to another time, when similar storms made an impression on me... whether as a kid getting out of school, having some epic sledding opportunities, receiving a much needed snow day to grade papers, or even getting "stranded" somewhere.  It is mostly good memories, and even though most storms produce some struggles, the memories of them are all cherished.





It snowed most of the evening and just looked so pretty outside.  The peace that comes from waiting out the falling snow and looking at its beauty, is God's way of slowing us down.





For our third movie night this week, Joe and I watched "Paint Your Wagon."

I love the wonderful, beautiful, and peaceful quiet when it snows!