Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Snow, at Last...and a Nightmare

Well, it's a little too late for a White Christmas but we finally got a couple of inches of snow last night - just enough to make it finally feel like Winter around here!


It's not the nice white fluffy stuff but rather a wet, heavy snow with an icy crust on top. 



The kind that's just killer to shovel. 


And not so much fun to drive in. 

Remind me again why I was so anxious for snow?

Oh yeah, because it's WINTER and I live in the mountains in upstate NY! By choice, I might add - I like my four seasons!


I woke early this morning to the awful sound of my alarm - beep beep beep beep beep - isn't that just the worst noise? I was grateful for the wake-up, however, as I was in the throes of a terrible nightmare. 

In my dream I was back in NYC in a skyscraper, up on the 46th floor, and we were in the midst of a tornado. The building was swaying in the storm and for some reason we thought we'd be safe up there, in this strong brick building that had stood for a hundred years.  

We were watching the storm rage outside the windows and while it was terrifying, we were all together and safe indoors. 

Suddenly the bricks started popping off the walls and I could see the wall imploding. I screamed and threw myself to the floor, over my little dog, Daisy, in an attempt to protect her from the bricks. And the wall collapsed inward, showering us in debris, right before the building started to collapse. 

I was scrambling around frantically, trying to locate all the members of my family and gather everyone to safety....and then I woke up. 

It was a terrifying dream and it has stayed with me all day. 

I know that awful dream came about for two reasons - the first being that we were watching news footage last night before dinner of the terrible tornadoes and severe weather in Texas and the Midwest. 

My heart goes out to all those families - I can't imagine the terror they felt as the tornadoes approached their neighborhood and they tried their best to outrun the storm. 

The other reason I believe had to do with the strong winds that were whipping the trees around outside my bedroom this morning. Nothing like the tornadoes in Texas but pretty intense none the less. There was sleet hitting the windows as well, making for quite the little winter storm raging away outside. 

The wind was blowing some of the lighter snow around so at times it looked like a blizzard out the kitchen window. The thermometer was reading about 20 degrees. 


First thing I do in the mornings is start up the Keurig and brew a cup of coffee. Then I go out to the garage and get the feeders out for the little birds. 

This morning that involved a long down coat I put on over my fuzzy bathrobe and my winter snow shoes with the heavy duty treads. My sweetie bought those shoes for me a couple of years back so I wouldn't fall while feeding the birds - he calls them "snow tires for my feet." What a honey he is, always looking out for me. He's right, they helped tremendously. 

I must say, I looked a bit like a homeless ragamuffin in that hodge-podge of an ensemble this morning, though! Glad my sweetie wasn't around to see that!

I wonder if it's safe to leave the feeders out now? Can I risk it? Do we think Mr Bear may be sleeping for the winter now? I'm a little worried since winter has only been around for a day or two now....he may be still up and about, looking for poor innocent bird feeders to rip to shreds. 

Meanwhile, I had my coffee in my leather chair next to the toasty warm fire this morning and I said a little prayer for all those folks who weren't so lucky. 


Look around you and count your blessings today. 

I will be doing the same. 

And counting you among my blessings, sweet readers. 

Stay safe and warm, wherever you are. 







22 comments:

  1. I'm sorry you didn't get the pretty, fluffy kind of snow. :-( Our last batch of snow was of the heavy, wet variety and it was NOT fun to scoop...according to my son. Ha! He spoils me rotten when he's home, what can I say.

    What a scary nightmare! Twice in my life I have been within a few miles of a tornado and I hope it never happens again. Absolutely terrifying is all I can say about it.

    I had to chuckle at "ragamuffin"--one of my mama's favorite words. :-) Enjoy the snow while it lasts!

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    1. Ragamuffin was one of my mom's favorite words, too!! I'm sure that's where it came from, in the dusty old recesses of my mind!

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  2. What an intense nightmare! We got the same kind of weather several days ago. I think all the snow is gone now.
    Brenda

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    1. It was an awful dream, Brenda. Thankfully I don't have nightmares often otherwise I'd be afraid to close my eyes!!

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  3. That was an awful dream. I can imagine the relief when you finally woke from it. I only remember one nightmare in my life where I woke up and could barely breath. One's enough. Your home looks so cozy. Just sitting in the comfort of it would definitely make you think of those in the tornadoes path. So sad. I'm happy to read that you feed your birds. They are so hungry right now...even fighting at the feeders which is rather unusual. I put out 5 suet and filled the feeders to the brim this morning.I also have a raccoon that comes by late at night for a meal and had to dig out a spot in the snow for his food. We really got a dumping today as it snowed from early morning 'til dark. Oh well, I get to try out my new snow-shoes now. :) I remember 'ragamuffin'. It was my mom's favorite, too. :) Deb

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    1. I have been feeding the birds forever, Deb - winter and summer. I love watching them and knowing I help them get through these tough winters. I was so sad when I moved from my rental, wondering how the little birds would do without me....silly, I know, but I fed them there for 2 years and had such busy feeders! I can't leave my feeders out at night because of the bears, which is a huge nuisance, but hopefully they will hibernate soon and I can get a break until Spring.

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  4. Seriously your house is a dream. I might just have to take a road trip up there :) Lol blogger meetup!

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    1. Any time, Ellen - let me know what time to have the cocktails ready!! :)

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  5. Oh gosh.... nightmares are NOT fun. When we lived in our previous house I had nightmares often, and they would wake my up screaming in the night... sometimes even wake my husband. We have been in this house for 2 1/2 years now and no nightmares. Something about that house brought them on and I have no idea what. Just glad they are gone. Your nightmare sounded a little bit like Dorothy and Toto in The Wizard of OZ... made me chuckle, but I'm sure YOU were not chuckling. We are having such a warm winter and there were signs of a bear in the yard last week. bear poo poo. Scares me to think they are not hibernating yet.

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    1. I wonder if they will hibernate at all this winter? Funny enough, in my last home (rental) which was only a few miles from here, the bear that frequented my feeders never hibernated at all last winter....and it was a harsh winter! I guess you can never tell!

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  6. Wow your nightmare was intense. I just feel for those in Texas with all the real nightmare going on. Horrible.
    We got some of the same weather here in Chicago as you are having. Stay safe winter has finally arrived.
    Kris

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    1. I do also, Kris - I can't imagine the loss and devastation. Imagine losing pretty much everything you own in an instant? And the fear. Those poor folks. xoxo

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  7. I so enjoyed reading your post this morning with my cup of coffee by the Fireplace too !
    Our Winter just arrived the night before last with 6 inches of Snow.
    Keep warm and Cozy !

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    1. How lovely! That's my favorite place for coffee on a cold winter's morning - in the warmer months I'm on my garden swing.

      I kind of miss my garden swing but it's long beyond time for snow.

      Happy New Year to you! Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a sweet message - I love reading every one of them!

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  8. I'm a fairly new reader...was curious as to why you would have to put out feeders every morning?
    Bears? I get it. Fortunately we don't have those yet in the southern part of Wisconsin. Yet, being the operative word there! We feed the birds as well...our greatest threat is squirrels! I've so enjoyed reading your blog....Happy New year! ;)
    Year! ;)

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    1. Hi Donnamae - and a very warm welcome to you!! I love meeting new readers, thanks for taking time to comment! Yes, yes, yes - we have BEARS galore here in the mountains where I live and we always have to be cautious. One got my feeders a while back and I've been hanging them in the garage every night at dusk and bringing them back out every morning....it's a pain, an extra chore I don't need, but necessary to keep my feeders intact....and my birdies happy! Happy New Year to you, Donnamae!

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  9. We had a snowstorm yesterday here...it's been so warm, we've had green grass...but it looks like winter now. That nightmare sounds awful...xo

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    1. Happy New Year, Linda!! Our snow is melting away bit by bit with no real accumulation in the forecast - weirdest winter yet! Temps are predicted to be super cold starting Monday, though - time for a snuggly night by the fire!

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  10. You and I wear very similar attire when we venture out into the cold to feed the birds. Fortunately for me we don't have a bear lurking near-by waiting to pounce on the feeder.

    Your snow is beautiful. I like very much reading about your morning routine. But what an awful way to start the day, waking from a nightmare that sticks with you all day.

    It is hard to watch the news and see the devastation for so many due to flooding and storms bringing hurricanes. Prayers for them in this time of great loss.

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    1. Happy New Year to you and yours, Kathy - I hope things are peaceful at Cedar Pond on this winter morning!

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  11. Yes, the snow does bring that feeling of the holidays even if it is after Christmas. We got several inches in Iowa on Monday. Sorry about your nightmare. I have them every now & then and you are right, they are vivid and can stay on your mind all day. Compassion for others in pain or devastation sometimes stays in our subconscious. We will all continue to pray for those in need. Hope you have a blessed New Year :)
    Karen

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    1. And the very same to you, Karen - our snow is nearly gone and I'll slowly start transitioning out of Christmas mode and into Winter mode....which as time goes on means dreaming of spring!

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