Second ice storm since we've been here - who could have predicted? But in a year when a section of Interstate 10 was closed over the Atchafalaya Basin in southern Louisiana, not due to hurricane but rather to ice accumulation, we have to acknowledge that the norms no longer apply. When Corpus has ice, northern Texas towns have earthquakes, and Alaska has heat waves, will the various sections of the country come to empathize more with one another? No more "Yes, you have to deal with sub-freezing temperatures on a regular basis, but
we have to suffer through heat and humidity levels concurrently approaching three digits."?
Nah. We all enjoy our feeling of superiority, of distinction, too much.
Sorry -- cabin fever?
The ice in Little River has melted, leaving balmy, dry temps in the high 30's. We are lucky indeed.
2/15/2014
I wrote the above a couple of days ago, but never posted it, as it seemed incomplete and melancholy, just as I was, in fact, feeling. In the meantime, pleasant weather conditions have returned to this edge of the nation, and points north of us seem to be past the worst of it, too. Of course, in line with my above comments on unpredictable weather, South Carolina did experience an earthquake last night. Tom has already texted Cousin Crawford (who is in Charleston this weekend) that we did not notice any tremors, but then again, it was Valentine's Day. I admit, that was a bit amusing.
And to celebrate the occasion, we returned to our favorite area restaurant,
Villa Tuscana, for an excellent pork osso bucco with garlic mashed potatoes and julienned vegetables. Tom is all abuzz about us replicating the recipe one day, but has satisfied himself thus far with the reheated version from our takeout box for lunch.
It was fascinating a few days ago to watch and hear giant branches (from this tree in Crawford's backyard) crash down, victims of ice buildup and wind. Thank goodness there were no electric lines nearby.
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| The water view is improved - small consolation. |
Excellent to see from the warm confines of the enclosed sunroom - not to traverse.
I must note that, since my last posting, daughter Susan's father-in-law Labo, a fine 90-year-old gentleman, died, leaving a huge hole in the lives of the loving Tallaritas he left behind. Our hearts are with them all.
With highs reaching up to the 60's and 70's next week, I hope to finally get some real work done on the boat. After reading of materials and procedures new to me, and having purchased those products, I plan to finally get our fenders and electric cord really clean, something I began attempting years ago in Rockport when the boat was new to us.
I have found myself at too-loose ends since we've been here, but feel myself coming back to life. About a year ago, as Tom and I found ourselves with a new, difficult, homeless normal, I wrote a list of what I needed to remain sane. One of the requirements was physical activity, something I have had too little of of late, but I am now back on a going-to-the-gym regimen. Tom pushed himself too hard there yesterday, though, and is paying for it today. We will return tomorrow, and then plan to go every other day until we head back to Texas in about a week.
Speaking of which, we heard from Ronnie R. today that they will probably not be moving into their new house until April 1, which means, of course, that we won't be moving in until that month. So it looks as if we will be living at the pool house for the entire month of March, waiting to get into the house, and then well into April as we get settled in. Those are great months to be in Texas, so we will continue to make the most of our nomadic life. One thing we know is that we will not ever plan to stay on the boat in the winter again without being in the Keys or other points very far south.
My wish for all: warmth, electricity, and hot running water. Aaaah -- the simple things. Oh, and love -- it's not, despite the Beatles' pronouncement (which I adore), all you need, but it sure does help.
