Many years ago (about 20), when I started writing Dackel Princess, I would put together lists on Thursday called the Thursday Thirteen. Back then, I was quick and witty, and my life was full of puppies, skiing, and neighborhood children who found their way to my door. Making lists of thirteen related things was relatively easy. Not so anymore.
The neighborhood kids have all grown and moved away, and the puppies are gone, too, except for Heidi. I’m not as quick and witty as I once was, but I decided to put together a list of thirteen things that are totally unrelated. Here goes!
- We are now halfway through the winter, and I am so ready for Spring. Between fuel oil costs and snow-clearing costs, I am ready for 68-degree days and the ability to shut off the furnace!
- Also, this is the year that I have had furnace trouble. Well, not furnace, but with the under-the-floor heating system. First, the circulating pump went and I had no heat in my master suite.
No sooner had that been fixed than I noticed a slow dripping leak at a junction of the underfloor lines. They arrive on Thursday to fix the leak. I am hopeful that it is not as bad as I think. - A few months back, I noticed that my automatic hatchback was not working well. The worst day was when I had a big grocery order and just as I got to my car, the rain poured down! No, I was not happy. I took her in to be fixed, but got the mechanic who did not understand the issue.
Taken last summer!His explanation was that I did not drive enough. I spoke to the person in charge of warranty problems. Tomorrow they will pick the car up here, and I plan to go through everything again. My fingers are crossed. I love that car!
- My much-loved long puffy jacket (10 years old) is no longer puffy. I live in a pretty cold area, and a longer puffy coat makes it easier to bear. I was cruising Amazon and found a beautiful one on sale.
It arrived today, and I love it even more than I thought I would. I am sixtyseven years old, but I feel truly cute in it! - It was so beautiful when I woke up this morning. I looked out over the lake, and the trees, bare of all leaves, were covered in hoar frost. Hoar frost is a delicate, white, crystalline deposit of ice that forms when water vapor transitions directly from a gas to a solid on freezing surfaces. How I wish I’d taken some pictures.
- Snowmobilers in nearby New Hampton found a young female moose stuck in the snow. She was stuck up to her neck and could not get out. These fine people worked hard to get her out.
In the end, she was fine. Thank goodness. I love moose, and it would make me very sad if she had not made it. - Does anyone else still have their Christmas lights up, or, in my case, a small tree? The lights bring me joy!
- Have you seen the lambchop toys for dogs? Currently, Heidi has four. She sleeps with her babies every night. It is so cute!
- I’ve got so many mixed emotions about the Olympics. Many really good athletes have been injured. I watched in horror when Lyndsey Vonn went down, and I heard her scream, “I’m hurt!”
- I’ve decided that I really do love all four seasons. Yes, I even love winter snow. Spring is coming, and the snow will melt, and slowly the green grass will return, along with the beautiful flowers. Summer is also good. The feel of sand between your toes, the salt water on your skin. And the warm sunshine. About the time you get sick of the heat, the leaves turn, and we get a little crisp air around us.
My deer friends come out looking for food, and they never fail to put a smile on my face! - I finally found curtains for my bedroom and familyroom. My problem now is finding someone to put them up for me. Not the curtains, just the rods.
- Have you heard the old phrase, “The dog ate my homework”? Well, I got this great recipe from my sister, and this is what it looked like after Heidi got a hold of it!
- Lastly, Heidi’s puppy, Nanny, will be coming in the Fall, so I can go to my 50th High School Reunion! My plan is to go down for a week. I’d love to see friends and walk around the Town that will always be home to me.
