Getting ready to get the day started....going out to the shop and start on some woodworking projects, have some lumber to saw...also need to check on my seed pots and see how many I need to replace and check out my warming pads that I start the seeds on...will be starting the tomato and pepper seeds I saved from last year....also got some new software from the NWS that I need to get myself familiar with as it will come into effect Feb. 1.....looks like I have a busy day planned for myself, guess I better get started.......me and Mr. Don Williams have the same question...... Penned a little poetry while watching the sun come up;

Well.... I just got out of the shower.... dressed and calling it a day...setting here reflecting on the weekend...starting to get into the gardening mode...got out and checked my compost pile which has been battered by the winter winds to see what I need to do to tidy up and get it up and running....don't burn leaves, a sore subject these days here...nobody has to deal with my smoke nor do I put put them in a land fill, just use Vermiculture (composting with worms) and let nature do it's thing....went through my music and found a couple of Tom T's songs.... Well, gonna have some homemade potato soup and grilled chicken breast filet sandwiches for supper...better scoot...

Been busy all weekend, finishing 2007 matters and preparing for 2008... wintery out with a cold wind, a Alberta Clipper they call it.. and some flurries in the air making it a point winter is still here... still thinking positive, checking out the compost pile this morning, putting out food cakes and grain for the cardinals, sparrows, finches and other fellow creatures...got the chess board set up to challenge the PC; and was going through my personal music I came across Don Williams and Tom T. Hall...laid back country boys like me and love their songs.. call 'em "the storytellers" they do.... like this one from Mr. Hall, has some shared sentiments for sure; ... well, better put a close on the day... besides need a refill... posting blogs can develop a thirst...and had to leave something for the next blog.....life is too complicated to do it in a day.....

Setting here with coffee in hand and observing the present weather, my memory drifts back to January 23-25 of 1967. I had just gotten back (Xmas day 1966) from a tour in Vietnam (USMC) and discharged from active duty. I was hired by Bell Telephone and was waiting for the call to start work when we had weather much like the last couple of days, unseasonably warm temps, t-storms, tornadoes and the like. As you know, I grew up on a farm here in Central Illinois and my family still lived there at that time. I had moved into the town of Ogden, my present home. Well, the temps were in the upper 60’s F to lower 70”s F and in the afternoon the storms come rumbling through. My Dad called in the early evening and said the neighbors barn had been damaged and wanted to know if I could come out the next day and help with repairs and I said “sure, not a problem”. A cold front was suppose to pass through so I got everything together that I would need to help. We went to bed thinking everything was under control….I woke up around 2 AM and the place was cold, no lights and the furnace didn’t work. I check the circuit breaker box and everything was ok there and as I went to the kitchen I glanced out the window and this is what I saw; My neighbors house, ICE STORM, we were out of power and we would be for a week. Kathy’s mom house had a couple of space heaters in it so we could keep warm there and about half the neighborhood was there also. In the day we would clean up and get supplies and at night we would play cards but kerosene lamp and candles choice of games; Hearts, Canasta and Euchre. Luckily the power came back on before our eyes went totally bad. (*^-^*) Although we had t-storms and tornadoes, history didn’t repeat itself in it’s entirety and no ice or snow. Not a great deal of damage from the storms here and no injuries. Well, got things to do, best close this chapter for now..................

Taking a short break from today's activities to come in here and let everyone know I haven't left. Running errands, taking down decorations and the like. Also decided to check the seeds I saved getting ready for the season; Also working on my recipes trying to get them organized from a folder into a book; Been very cold these past couple of days but a warmup is coming for a short period. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and that the New Year sees all your wishes come true and every day is full of love and happiness. Better get back to work sooooooooooooo everyone have a smilin' gooooooooooooooood day full of peace, love and happiness and I'll see you next time if the good Lord's willin' and the creeks don't rise.