Serious winter sets in…

It was damn cold out when I woke up Monday morning. The weather man said it was 21 degrees F. with a wind chill factor I don’t even want to talk about. They said there had been some lake effect snow (off lake Michigan and reaching all the way to Redford) and, when I looked outside, everything was covered in white.

So, I left early and took Plymouth Road. It didn’t seem THAT bad and I was driving about 5 MPH over the speed limit, but taking care at every stoplight. Somebody, driving in the right lane, rocketed past me like a shot in a little car. Either he was late for work or just a fool, because he had to be going over 60 MPH! I just shook my head and thought, “Good luck, brother!”

I got to work just as the snow increased.

Inside and safe, I got a cup of coffee and began my regular work. My boss was already there and she, and everyone who came in after me, had horror stories about the drive in. “Total whiteout on Telegraph Road,” “Couldn’t even see the off-ramp” and so on. So, I guess I am lucky I live less than seven miles away.

Instead of my usual morning walk (a little dangerous in the cold, ice and snow), I took Michelle in Facilities back her two containers, filled with the reconstituted Greek lemon chicken and rice soup. (It’s a tradition, as I said before). I told her, “I suppose you never expected these container back (it’s been a while).” She said, “I wasn’t worried as, I not only know where you work, I know where you live!” And, she does…

I carefully walked back to my building. Not even considering a spinal fusion, the last thing you want to do with a totally screwed up leg is to fall down and possibly break something…

At lunchtime, I headed out. I needed to drop off that box of books at the Goodwill. Since I was down there anyway, I stopped into the Big Boy (across the street) and ordered a fish and chips dinner with extras tartar sauce and malt vinegar. It came with coleslaw and it was thoroughly delicious!

I went to the Goodwill and they completely confused me by offering a “receipt.” I said I didn’t want a receipt, I just wanted to drop off these books. I assume the receipt has something to do with tax right-offs, but I was not interested.

I still had time left, so I stopped at the Peddler’s Market Place to look for wooden wheel clocks. I didn’t find any. That sucked, as I have been asked by an old friend to duplicate a clock she had. She knows I have a little woodworking skills, but I’m still not sure what the hell she wants…

I skipped the walk outside and walked around the shop for 15 minutes in the afternoon.

I headed home at 5:00 PM and rolled the filled trash can out to the road, ‘The I put the used kitty litter in a big garbage bag and added in the last kitchen trash bag. It broke before I got it to the road!

So, I split them into two garbage bags and wheeled then out in my garden wagon, lit by my helpful porch light.

It was damn cold out there, but it’s only suppose to get worse. We have wind chill advisories posted for overnight and tomorrow.

I cut some of that rustic Italian bread into slices that would fit into the toaster and made my last BLT (at least from that pound of bacon). I ate that with a bowl of the Lemon Chicken and Rice soup to warm up.

Before I went in to watch TV, I used an old trick from my Father back on the farm. Since its supposed to go to 0 degrees tonight with west winds of 15-20 MPH, I opened up the cupboard doors under the sink (located on the west wall of the house) to let more heat in and turned both the hot and cold taps a little so they would drip in the laundry sink downstairs (also on the west wall). Hopefully that will prevent any frozen pipes.

I fell asleep watching the hockey game.