The easiest way to avoid regrets is to ask yourself this question, "If not now, when?" It's a powerful way to put life and our decisions about how we spend our time into perspective"
Thursday Grats
Posted by Paula on 1/22/2026, 10:56 am
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Thursday Grats
Posted by Delta on 1/22/2026, 5:36 pm, in reply to "Thursday Grats "
My silly cat is sunning on the window ledge outside my window. He doesn't like to be petted much, but when I put my finger against the window, he rubs himself against it from the outside. He also walked into the house and explored a few rooms before panicking and running out a few days ago. Progress at almost 14? Maybe. He has been so squirrelly since he was neutered; he wouldn't come into the house anymore, wouldn't let us touch him. We don't know what happened, but he stayed and seems excited to see us.
We have found that when we keep the cat house about 55°F, the cats will go in and stay. Warmer and they will go in for a bit, then back out into the cold. We turned it on 55 and put several boxes with nice bedding in there for the coming winter storm. Note on the cat house: my husband has a shop that has two storage rooms on one side. He put a cat door on one of the room and we set up a bed for the cat for when the weather is bad, since he won't come into the house. Later, when we were expecting an arctic blast, he decided to put a vent from the shop into that room since it is just on the other side of the wall from the heat/cool source. He only heats/cools the shop when he is working in it or when the temps get below freezing so that his paints and things don't freeze. Now the cats have a warm place to be when it is freezing. They often bring friends for a sleepover during storms.
My husband is changing the oil in the generator and servicing it today in case it has to run for a few days. Yesterday was test day, and it ran smoothly, except for the need for an oil change.
Our 16-year-old grandson came over to help his grandad for a bit yesterday, on his day off work. He went from working at a restaurant to working in a lumber/hardware warehouse. He was telling us that he really likes working there, but even with thermals, 2 hoodies, and his regular jacket, he was still cold when the temps dropped. He said that He looked everywhere he could think of for a heavier coat on his last day off, but everywhere he went, they were out. My husband called around and found a hunting store with some that were nice and warm as well as stlyish. He even went with him and bought it for him. Grandson seemed thrilled with it. This is a kid who hates wearing coats, so I know that he has been cold to hunt for one for over a week and to even say something. Glad that he did say something and was able to find a warm work coat.
They keep changing the forecast for us. We went from 18"-24" of snow on Wednesday to them saying today that we will possibly have 3/4" or more of freezing rain, sleet, then 6"-12" of snow. They keep saying things like dangerous and catastrophic and mentioning the storm of 1994 that collapsed many, many roofs in the area on homes and businesses, changed the landscape almost as much as a tornado would, and some places lost power for 4 weeks. Anything above 1/4" of ice usually brings down trees, electric poles and roofs. Now they are predicting another arctic blast coming through here late next week too. Sounds like it is about to get real. I was so hoping for snow. My grateful is that we are as prepared as we can get and we will deal with whatever we need to when we need to.
Same thing here Delta
Posted by Cindyh on 1/23/2026, 8:44 am, in reply to "Thursday Grats"
We have gone from 2” to 12” plus to now sleet with that. Waiting to go intl there and see what it says this morning. Every forecast seems to get worse.
Delta
Posted by Beverly on 1/22/2026, 11:16 pm, in reply to "Thursday Grats"
I love hearing stories about all of our pets.
I am your grandson said something, for sure. It's wonderful your husband could help him!
That's a big change in the forecast. I hope it turns out minimal!
mine
Posted by Beverly on 1/22/2026, 11:36 am, in reply to "Thursday Grats "
Yesterday was my infusion. I feel loopy most of the time afterwards. But the reults are worth it.
I am going to make some butternut squash soup today. My sister adds fennel to her's. I am going to try just a little and then freeze the rest of the fennel.
I am ready, I think, for the storm coming. Food and furness recently had it's winter checkup. The big concern for my area is the cold. Predicting extremely cold temperatures. Morning temps around 1 degree. Wind chills below zero. Time be inside. Cold temps for Alex walking to his classes. The younger kids they should have a cold day tomorrow!!
Listening to Carol King and James Taylor songs this morning. Turn on the way-back machine, Professor.
You lovely ladies fill my heart. Thank you.
I think
Posted by Cindyh on 1/23/2026, 8:42 am, in reply to "mine"
James Taylor has some good music. We listen to him. We listen to a lot Of different music
The butternut squash soup
Posted by Delta on 1/22/2026, 5:53 pm, in reply to "mine"
was sounding really good until you mentioned putting fennel in it. I don't know if I am allergic to it or if it just upsets my digestive system, but it does a number on me.
I feel for Alex walking around campus in the Arctic blast. Most teens don't seem to feel it so much. I went to college with a guy who went barefoot all the time. Even when it was frigid outside or snow on the ground, he eschewed wearing shoes, but then I rarely wore a coat when walking on campus. I guess we felt invincible at that age.
I hope you stay warm and cozy.
Love Carole King and James Taylor!
Mine
Posted by Paula on 1/22/2026, 11:05 am, in reply to "Thursday Grats "
Another nice 2 days before the storm is supposed to start. Ours will probably be icy rain which is the worst case scenario. Power outages on all these above ground lines. Trees coming down, slick sidewalks and roads. Two retired Richmond weathermen even posted on FB about this. Right now the sun is shining.
Will make scallops tonight and chili over the weekend.
Dinner with Deborah tomorrow.
Have been continually checking my flights to see if I could get the flights I really wanted. Came through today so, now I have a non-stop to Rome and will fly back to Richmond via a stop in D.C. instead of New Jersey. That airport is known for all kinds of problems and I didn't want to stop.there but the alternative flights (the ones I got today) were too many mileage points and money.This morning they were down to where they usually are. Happy with this.
Guy coming to give an estimate on a roof repair. The last one was something like $1500 which I think is crazy!
Can I come to dinner?
Posted by Delta on 1/22/2026, 5:45 pm, in reply to "Mine"
Scallops sound delicious! I haven't been able to find decent ones in what seems like forever. One store is getting good fresh salmon so we have been having a lot of that.
I am glad that you were able to switch your flights to ones that will be more convenient.
I hate that they are saying that you will get freezing rain, too. I hope that the worst we get is sleet, but we seem to always get the freezing rain, even when we do get some snow.
As we have discussed, repair work is crazy these days. I think they are trying to work less and just keep making the same amount.
The weather channel keeps talking about loong duration power outages. Do you have a heat and cooking source if you get long-term power outages?
