Accidents Happen Near Home

You have heard the statistics...most accidents happen within 5 miles of your house. That was my thought yesterday.  On a beautiful sunny afternoon Case and I decided to snowshoe up Davis Creek that we can see from our living room - and definitely without a paddle.  It was all good until we reached an area that is usually bog in the summer.  We then began to go down through the snow into the slushy water beneath it bringing up slush with the snowshoe which froze right away.  Snowshoeing with two blocks of ice is not fun!  Of course, we were in the middle of the bog so no quick exit.  On we trudged - getting heavier with each step.  I was thinking of the above statistic with the headline "Woman Freezes in Bog Half-Mile From Home."  Or it could read "Woman Freezes on 60th Birthday."  Yes, my birthday.  Well, of course, we made it to the road where I then carried my ice blocks home and ate a piece of cake. 

Gasoline

Today we drove through town on the way to the gym - I was stunned by the price of gasoline.  $2.09  Now, for Hayward, a tourist town, that is unbelievably low.  Many gallons are sold year round here:  snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, and chainsaws as well as your daily ride.  Of course, most drive pickups with not-the-best mileage.  All to say Hayward is usually on the high side.  As we were beaming, I received a snapchat from our daughter in Iowa.  It was a photo of a gas pump with $1.99. 

Not a Snow Day - it's a Cold Day

Windchill is low.  Hayward had the state low this morning.  Schools are closed.  Even one of the schools in a nearby town called Winter is closed.  I always chuckle when I hear on the radio, "Winter is closed." Our volunteer stuff has shut down as well.  Case is putting 4 logs in the woodstove every 90 minutes which keeps the living room at 71 degrees.  We are literally living in the living room - just like Little House on the Prairie!  Our goal is not to use propane unless we need to.  Wood is free.  Tad and Carrie got us a heated mattress pad for Christmas.  Just in time!  It is beyond wonderful.  Where has that been all of my life?  We just see this as another adventure.  When you don't need to go to work, nothing really bothers you.

In front of the fire with Milsie (the lovebird) on my shoulder nestled behind my ear.  Looks like the fire is slowing down....Caaase!!

The Gym

When the weather turns bad and we can't log or kayak or hike, we go to town and join the gym.  A husband and wife own it, treating customers like family.  Today, the first day, Case biked 5 miles, walked the treadmill for 15 minutes, worked on several machines.  Let's just say I didn't go that far...elliptical for 7 1/2 minutes, lots of machines, lots of stretching.  The positive side is that I can only get better. 

White Christmas in the Northwoods

We are receiving snow before heading south (southern WI) for Christmas.  New tires on the 4X4 truck will help us travel with no problems. 

Tree decorated.  Packages wrapped.  Goodies baked.  Almost time to go...Merry Christmas to all!

A Good Day

This morning I wrapped presents and this afternoon I went for a long walk.  There was no wind and a bit of sun.  So quiet...so peaceful...not like next week I am sure!

Decorating for Christmas

My second cousin by marriage made the tree I am holding in his wood working shop. The branches of the wooden tree fan out with small circles to place Hershey Hugs on each one.  When all the candy is eaten (soon), it swivels and folds up to be flat for storage.  (Thanks, Scott!)

As I am looking at the photo...there are way too many wires showing behind our entertainment center...my hair looks great even though I hiked for 90 minutes that morning with my Tuesday group during a snowfall...the big tree only has a few ornaments on it as we are trying to keep with the church calendar that this is Advent - waiting for Jesus - and not fully decorate until the 25th so we are decorating a bit at a time....the first ornaments up are a few of our Star Trek ornaments-they talk, light up and have sound effects - nothing says Christmas like Star Trek!  In all seriousness,
Gene Roddenberry, creator of ST, depicted the future as all people trying to live together peaceably...except for the Klingons - if there wasn't conflict, there would be no show. 

What a Christmas wish...peace in the universe!