When anticipated plans are relentlessly scuppered, I believe the earth is flat. The third dimension blinks out of site, perception eclipses science.
Attila and I had hoped to finally get together with my family for “Christmas”. We tried to get there all through December, and the weather and roads prevented us, every day that we could get away. We tried all through January, and again the weather and roads dictated otherwise. We thought February would bring an opportunity for the visit, but it did not; although we did manage to make a mandatory trip to the little house in the city for its winter check up. And we thought that today, at last, we could make the trip. Ha!!!! We awoke to cloudy skies, snow, and by noon we are to have blowing snow and wind gusting to 50 kilometers an hour. So with heavy hearts we cancelled our plans for Christmas, again. I hope the phrase “Christmas in July” is not a cruel reality this year!
Today is a day for domestic tasks. Attila dug more firewood out of the deep snow, hopefully enough to last us through till the end of March. He also shovelled the rest of the snow load off the wood shed, that was quite a job! After coming indoors, Attila gave himself a haircut. I have been busy hanging wet laundry on racks in the living room, hoping to increase the humidity in the room, and stop the daily nose bleeds I have been experiencing. Bills have been paid. The dust has collected to majestic proportions over the course of two weeks, one dare not disturb surfaces in the living area, for fear of clouding the atmosphere. A rag and a bucket of soapy water is required to remove the dust, so that it becomes suspended in water, and is not allowed to take flight and settle again. The dust consists mostly of super fine wood ash, and there is a lot more of it since the ash dump became clogged, and we had to start removing ashes manually through the door, using a small shovel and an ash bucket.
We have more good weather on the way, warmer temperatures and some sunshine. Apparently there is at least one more night coming, when the temperature will dip below -20C. The weather predictions change daily, and sometimes they change several times during the course of one day. We are prepared for more frigid nights, and looking forward warmer weather.
Worldly Distractions
Weather
-19°C
Date: 7:44 AM EDT Sunday 9 March 2014
Condition: Partly Cloudy
Pressure: 101.9 kPa
Visibility: 16 km
Temperature: -18.6°C
Dewpoint: -20.5°C
Humidity: 85%
Wind: calm
Quote
“If I believed that horses turned into artichokes on Tuesdays, would that be better than doubting it?…
…I ought to refuse to answer at all, of course, because a meaningless question has only meaningless answers…
…The whole undertaking of science is to deal, as well as it can, with reality. The reality of actual things and events in time is subject to doubt, to hypothesis, to proof and disproof, to acceptance and rejection — not to belief or disbelief.
Belief has its proper and powerful existence in the domains of magic, religion, fear, and hope.”
Ursula K LeGuin
http://www.ursulakleguin.com/Blog2014.html#New
Maggie, I really feel for you. This has, indeed, been a winter, even here in much milder climes. We are so fortunate at the moment that not only do we have power (which means running water) but even internet, while so many folks close by are still waiting for power.
I wonder how this summer will be.
Why not just set out to celebrate Christmas with certain people in the spring or summer – then you won’t have to go through all the emotions of having to cancel at the last minute. Just agree to do it up – with nice dinner etc. – during a month when you can be pretty darn sure there won’t be snow! Maybe June?
Wendy, thanks for your commiserations, and helping me to remember that things could be worse, we too have electricity and running water! And we are warm, even though we have to work hard to keep it that way, we are still able to keep it that way!
I hope we have a good old fashioned summer, which in my memory has very few hot and humid days, rain at night, and sunshine all day long! There may only have been one summer like that, but it was memorable! 🙂
Bex, you hit the nail on the head, it is all the emotions that result from repeated cancellations that drain energy. I think late autumn would be grand, the beginning of November is often merely wet, which doesn’t deter travel!
Well, you can imagine how disgruntled I felt through much of the day, as the early snowfall cleared and the sun shone bright overhead! And then, at about four o’clock, the snow started to fall heavily, and the wind picked up to blow it all around… and the I knew we had made the right decision not to travel today.
We consoled ourselves with a lovely turkey casserole, and watched an episode of Call the Midwife, and are well gruntled again.
The cold just doesn’t let up. You two are heroic!
LOL Tom, doe heroes howl at the moon?!? Only kidding, we aren’t howling yet, just considering it.