Ohio Snowstorms, library books, and "the damn satellite"

In less than an hour, my father has informed me that a storm is going to hit Ohio, covering the ground in 2" of ice and possible 8" of snow. He told me this today on my drive home from student teaching high school English at a local rural school. I looked through the long-leaf pine trees that flanked the two-lane road and took a deep breath of relief. I had no winter weather coming my way. I did not have to worry about walking around in snow pants and hiking boots for ten days or waiting out the freeze until the ground reappeared; No salt stains on my jeans or ice chunks in my doggie's tail.

My father stated that the television was down. (Important side note: my Dad is a journeyman carpenter whom I respect immensely. He recently was given a 50" television set after completing a job and he's as proud of it as the golden leg-lamp in A Christmas Story.) He then followed up with the fact that he's down to a couple of books to read and a snow and ice storm is about to hit. I thought, cool! What a great time to visit the library and pick up a couple of books. His response?

"I don't want to read a book, Morgan, I want the damn satellite fixed so I can watch my TV."

But of course.

Hunka, hunka...

I think it's quite fantastic to look over at the loving man next to me, have to catch my breath, and think to myself, "I'm married to that! Thank you, Jesus."

Cooking with Dog

I will not take credit for this found art...but you know who you are. And I thank you so much for sharing with me. I will spread the love. For your viewing pleasure:

Emailing my best three-year-old friend

My best friend's daughter has been a joy to see develop and grow. Since we moved away, I have been sending video and stills of myself, Mark and the animals--and she loves them. So now we've decided to email. It was too cute not to share:

"MoeMoe- I love you. my room. Um... I'm setting with daddy. Kitty is so good. I
miss you MoeMoe. I want to pet kitty. I love you MoeMoe & Mark.


Now we are finding all of the m's. So funny. We love you and wish we could pet
Kitty's soft squishy belly. This is so fun. We lov eyou"

Gracie Girl, me, or the trash...

My employment, as of late, has been substitute teaching. Middle school, high school, intermediate school. But today is day four of school cancellations due to snow and ice and I'm nearly finished reading Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. It has been a treasure to read, although it's the second time I've had to renew at the library. So this morning I decided I would sit and read and drink tea and enjoy the morning light through the pine trees. Which I did. Yet I kept smelling an awful smell. Our eldest dog, Gracie Girl, is known for acquiring the 'old dog stench' yet I could not tell if it was her...or me. Yes, snow days are the best. A sniff test resulted it was neither of us but the trash. Hey, it's cold outside and apparently neither I nor hubby wanted to venture out in it to take out the trash. Anyway, it was quite comical and a relief to know that at least Gracie and I aren't that stinky. Now back to Tolstoy...