Another Snowy Day

And once again we're snug inside with all sorts of projects going on. I'm busy listing on eBay and sorting some of the finds from the past two days. Larry is working on different furniture projects. The fire is going, the cats are sleeping, Fresh Air is on the radio, soup's on the stove. A good winter day.

The birds are busy at the feeders today, especially the cardinals. Or maybe they just stand out more.

A little of that red is reflected in the kitchen windows. I know lace curtains don't hold in the heat, but I enjoy being able to see out, and to let in the light, especially the bright reflected light of snow.

 Outside is is still snowin' and blowin' and very cold. I remember the days when I would be eager to bundle up and get out in the woods. Where did that want-to go? Today I am much more content to stay fireside and look out at the weather doing its worst.

 I wonder if I had never left the farm to go to work, would I still be cheerfully tramping about in wintry weather, hiking back into the woods alone (and with no cell phone)? I remember getting out to run the mail when I was a substitute mail carrier, driving all day with the windows down, and coming home to do chores, care for the livestock and get in firewood with the boys. I remember building fence all day in winter, working in sub-zero temps to get the water running, walking the mile to the bus stop to meet the boys on their way home.

Did those 20-plus years of indoor work ruin me, or is this just a natural progression and would I have ended up in the same place anyway? I thought when I retired I'd be out and about every day, but such has not proven to be the case. Instead I take short little walks, just enough to look about me and enjoy the beauty, but not far enough to worry about slipping and falling or getting too worn out. I ask myself these questions, then make a cup of hot chocolate, curl up by the fire and pet the cat. I think I've gone soft!

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