In Like a Lion

I know today is leap day, but March is roaring in. It all began late last night. Winter arrived with full force!

The winter season has been pretty light here in my little piece of heaven. We really haven't had a lot of snow and the temperatures have been pretty bearable. Since late last week, the weather men have been calling for some horrendous snow fall amounts. We cringed, but braced ourselves for the worst. It was supposed to have started Sunday night. I was anticipating the cancelling of college classes for Monday morning, but when I awoke at 6am to begin the process of walking dogs...nothing. I will admit I was a little disappointed. Given the option of climbing back into bed with my warm, snuggly husband or venturing out the door for college classes, I will choose  the warm, snuggly husband every time. Off to school I went and learned a lot of interesting things.

Then, the weather men said that the storm was going to hit Tuesday night. We went to our Tuesday afternoon classes and stopped to pick up the necessities to get us through a few days should we get hit with as big a storm as they were calling for. Milk, snacks, chocolate...you know the essentials:) We got home and readied for the worst. It wasn't too bad when we walked the dogs before bed last night, but it was coming in hard and fast.

This morning, I got up at 3 am to go to the bathroom and looked outside...I shut off the alarm clock (which was set for 6 am) and crawled back into bed with my darling husband and snuggled into his warm waiting arms. The storm had hit and it was not pretty outside. Snow has blowing in from the lake and the mixture of sleet/rain was making it horrible outdoors. I forced myself to get out of bed at 8 am and ventured out the door. It took some pushing and shoving to get the door open (there was about 5 inches against the door). We are used to the lovely, fluffy, light snow here. Instead, the heavy, wet, icky snow landed.

So, after shoveling the drive and some of the patio (so we can get out with the dogs), I'm hunkered down inside, with a warm hubby, a big bowl of freshly popped popcorn and a pot of chili simmering on the stove. I think I'll escape into the pages of a book before tackling the next couple of chapters in the new book I'm working on.

 

Hopefully, spring isn't too far away. In fact, I've heard rumors that we will have temperatures in the 50s by early next week! Fingers crossed!

Wherever you are, may you be comfortable and happy!

Happy Valentine's Day

It is that time of year again. The time when women are hoping and waiting for their darlings to give them goodies. Whether it is jewelry, candy, flowers or dinner out (sometimes all of it), as women we can be a greedy lot. That sounds pretty bad, I know, but I realized yesterday just how much I really want it all.

I have been with the same man for the last (almost) 20 years of my life. He's worked hard so that I didn't have to. He dutifully brought home his paycheck and handed it to me to pay the bills. Now, I'm not saying I didn't do a lot, I'm merely saying that I may have taken him for granted. I cooked, cleaned, payed the bills and run the errands. Was it as hard as standing on my feet for 8-10 hours a day for sometimes 6 or 7 days a week? Not by any means. 

What did my darling husband ask for in return? Nothing. Dinner wasn't expected to be on the table when he walked through the door at night. He didn't nitpick if the carpet hadn't been swept or there was dust on the television. He simply did what he did without asking for anything.

I've heard a lot of housewives/domestic goddesses complain about their husband's demands. Is it really his demands or are the demands your own? We don't have kids to run everywhere so I haven't had to deal with that drama. I really think the kids probably demand more than the husbands do. Or maybe I'm just extremely lucky. No, there's no maybe to it. I AM extremely lucky!

Good Morning

It has been a whirlwind of activity at our house these last few weeks. Classes, studying, homework, writing, plus having a bit of a life...whew! Sleep is highly overrated and much desired! Just when I think I could sleep the day away, my mind begins to spin the next scene of the book I'm working on. Well, you know I won't be able to sleep until I get it down on paper (or at least on hard drive).

Which is why I was awake as the sun began to brighten the Upper Peninsula sky. It is truly a beautiful sight to see the sun coming up. This morning it was a brilliant orange with lines of lavender, blue and pink radiating off of it causing the lake to reflect the colors in the deep blue water. Of course, I didn't have my camera ready. I simply took a moment (or three) to enjoy the sight.

Yes, I am often in awe at the beauty that surrounds me here in my little cottage. From the lakes to the forest, the wonders never cease. Late spring and early summer, you'll find me on our patio with a drink of some sort, just being in the moment. I've seen a little gray fox and a porcupine in my backyard. They never venture too far from the cover of the woods, but just far enough for me to catch a glimpse.

The ultimate sight was a bald eagle perched in the birch tree in my front yard last spring. I was on my way out with one of the canine kids when I caught something out of the corner of my eye. I could only stand and stare in amazement. Later on, we counted at least 8 of these magnificent beings flying over the lake. It was my first sighting and it left me feeling extremely blessed.