Candlemas/Groundhog Day
Doesn’t it seem a little absurd that in one of the most technologically advanced societies on the planet, we somehow think that a fat fuzzy rodent will give us an accurate long-range weather forecast? Apparently he saw his shadow today, foretelling six more weeks of winter. Haha. That groundhog obviously has never been to Texas! We never have six weeks of winter—just a few days here and there.
Yesterday morning I was up early to make my “famous” sausage balls for our Sunday School class brunch. I had made the muffins the night before. It was still pretty chilly, so we wore coats to church.
The brunch went pretty well. I hadn’t planned to eat anything, but one guy brought pork ribs, and that’s something I can eat, so I did. I took 48 sausage balls and came home with 3. So at least Jasper got to taste them.
In the afternoon, I drove onto campus to get Cianna and then took her to an empty parking lot (on the campus) where we switched places so she could practice driving. She has a driver’s license in India but would like to get one here so she’d have the option of driving and maybe even getting her own car. So I didn’t have to teach her how to drive, just supervise the practice and remind her of a few things like driving on the right side and remembering to use her blinkers.
She also practiced pulling in and out of parking spots and a few attempts at parallel parking, which is a challenge at the best of times, but especially when you’re driving a much bigger vehicle than you’re used to.
While we were practicing in the parking lot, a campus police vehicle pulled up. Poor Cianna was afraid we were in some kind of trouble. The officer grinned at us and said, “You know, we charge a hundred dollars an hour to practice driving in this parking lot.” For a minute, I think she thought he was serious. But he assured her he was kidding, and complimented her driving.
We finished off by driving around the campus a couple of different ways. She did a great job. I’m sure we’ll do it again soon. And I sent her back to the dorm with muffins for her and for Joanna too.
We had hoped to see Flynn’s family on the Zoom, since Paisley’s birthday is this week, but unfortunately both girls were sick again. However, we had a nice visit with Jade and with Lina. And their cats. Jade got snow in Atlanta!
Today, Walter has been under the weather. I should have realized something was up last night when he felt chilled and just couldn’t get warm. During the night, whenever any part of me touched him, it felt like he was on fire. So hot. I hadn’t even considered that he might be feverish before then. So after a rough night, he struggled to get going this morning, but he kind of had to because the college sent a crew to clean up our yard after the tree work, and he needed to supervise that. The tree crew left quite a bit of damage behind, and I’m thankful the college was willing to make an effort to repair what they could. Unfortunately, we did lose several rosebushes.
While that was going on, my neighbor Kim came over for a visit. This is the first time she’s walked across the street since her surgery. I’m so glad she’s feeling a little better.
Early this afternoon Walter finally surrendered and went to bed. Meanwhile, I drove up to the north side of town to buy some greeting cards. Sympathy cards, to be precise. Back in the day, that was a kind of card I hardly ever needed. Now I need them often, so I tried to stock up a little. There are two I need to send out this week.
Then I got to work sorting all that Duplo. There’s a new plan for it now. Flynn heard that we were selling it and texted me to let me know that he and Tiffany are interested in it after all. So I am going through it and sorting it into categories and cleaning any pieces that are obviously dirty, so we can take it the next time we go to Colorado. So many memories in these little pieces of plastic!
Meanwhile, today has been warm and balmy so most of the rest of the ice has melted:
And about time, too! Just a tiny bit left on the roof and down by the porch.
Walter was still comatose at suppertime, so I kept Jasper company while he ate, then went back to Duplo sorting. I will finish tomorrow. I found quite a few random objects in with the Duplo and have removed them.
Eventually Walter emerged to have tea and try to remain upright long enough to watch our evening video. Normally we would watch the movie Groundhog Day, but I don’t think he was up to it tonight. And I am sleeping in the guest room. Whatever he has, I don’t want it.
Joy Spark: Yesterday’s joy spark was getting to help Cianna with her driving practice. Today’s was finding out that we’ll be able to visit our grandgirls this spring.