Wednesday. Raining.
Well. That’s a right mess out there, that is. The steps are glassy with ice. I have administered ice melt. The smart money at the moment is on — Rolanni is staying in today. But, yanno; that could change.
. . . and as I type this, the plowguy arrives. I’m not sure he made anything better, but he’s clearly banking on this 55F-and-rain to clear us back down to a clean slate.
The next time I *do* get out, I’ll need to take on clay cat litter, along with more ice melt. And maybe a wreath. I’ve been thinking it would be nice to have an inside wreath, in keeping with Tradition. Not sure I’m up to getting out Steve’s Tree (it being Steve’s Tree, because his mom had made it for him), but I could maybe set out one of the glass trees. I do like some light in the Dark Times.
First cup of tea is brewing. I’m not sure what’s for breakfast, which condition, in the most recent rewriting of Da Rules, means, “oatmeal.” Da Rule Being: “If you can’t decide what’s for breakfast, it’s oatmeal. No skipping breakfast.”
Anyhoot, after breakfast, I will once again Survey the State of the Grounds, and see if I’m going out, or if I’m calling to cancel my hair appointment.
All other planning depending on the State of the Grounds, I guess I’d better get with breakfast, and! Oatmeal it is.
Update: I’ve decided not to risk my neck — or other important body part — on the ice.
Also, I have Suddenly! Realized! that I can buy a new lighted base for the crystal ball that Steve and I gave each other for a wedding present, back in 1980. The old base had long ago succumbed to leaking batteries, and was discarded. The ball has since graced a shelf in the living room.
* * *
For those who don’t take the Evening Edition, as it were, on Facebook, a small catchup:
Yesterday, instead of doing any of the Useful Things I should have done, I worked on my story. I regret nothing.
The guy, and his helper, did come by and installed all five programmable thermostats, which I then programmed. However, I forgot to hit “Run” at the end of the programation, and the house stayed at 69 all night, which was — kinda nice, actually, but not very efficient of fuel. I have today repaired my error, and the heat should get turned down on the overnight, which, yes, means the house will be cool, but this is after all why I have blankets.
. . . and that’s all the news and catchup, too. Now that I have the whole day ahead of me, I believe that I will — write.
Yeah.
Crystal ball, signed by the artist RW Stephanious (?),1980, given by Steve Miller to Sharon Lee, and by Sharon Lee to Steve Miller on the occasion of their marriage, November 6, 1980.
Speaking of clay cat litter–have you tried any other kinds? My daughter persuaded me to try one of the ones made from grass. I had been concerned that the felines of my household would not adjust, but they never skipped a–well, let’s say “beat.” Although it’s not totally dustfree, compared to the clay litter, there is noticeably less dust and very noticeably less odor. As for a wreath: my Maine-sibling sends me a premade fresh balsam centerpiece from you-know-who every year. Between that and an indoor wreath from any of the usual grocery stores, I have my yearly fix of “tree scent” without actually having to buy and set up a tree anymore (since I don’t light the candles in the centerpiece, I have quite a collection now). Lovely crystal ball. Please remember to show us again once it is installed on a new lighted base!
The Usual Sort in the house has for a number of years been World’s Best Cat Litter, which is mostly dustfree. I want the clay litter to use as sand on the icy steps.
Right! Great use for clay cat litter! By the way, even though I’ve loved Samantha Bond ever since Home Fires, I wish they’d played more into an ensemble cast for this one. If it’s renewed, maybe the second season will develop the team better.
For ice emergencies- especially when out driving roof shingles are useful. I try to keep a couple in the car in case I hit an ice slick, or a parking lot ices up while I have been parked. They have a really rough surface so keep them covered if you tend to put paper bags of groceries in the trunk on top of them. I sanded the bottom of a bag doing that.
Building supply places often have a broken pack of them and will sell a few at a minimal price.
I also use them on a couple of spots on my driveway that regularly get icy