I have been watching more TV than normal as the football season is winding down. All the college games have been played and the NFL playoffs are on-going. Coupled with the winter weather this means more inside time and more TV watching.
I wish Auburn had held on to defeat Florida, but otherwise the college games were pretty good. Imagine…36 bowl games. Some I have never heard of, along with the teams that played in them. I guess I don’t pay enough attention during the season. I didn’t watch them all, by the way, just the majors like the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and a couple others.
My sympathies to all our Midwest friends and family about the Packer loss. I thought sure the Pack would be moving into more playoff games. On the other hand, I never thought the Broncos would make it this far. They beat San Diego today and will be playing the Patriots next week. Winner of that game goes to the Super Bowl. We will have to see what happens next week!
Last week at this time the Midwest was suffering from a polar vortex that dropped temps to record lows and forced school closings. Record temps were not only found in the Midwest; our Florida friends, Mary and Jeff, reported a low of 34 around their place in central Florida. (Of course it rebounded into the low ’80s a few days later.) We remember those cold Wisconsin days. In ’91 we had just moved back to Wisconsin from Oregon and the Christmas Day temp was -22. The steering wheel in the Toyota cracked from being so cold. I had to outfit both cars with freeze plugs and tank heaters so they would start. Bundling up the kids was always a chore. Yes, we remember those days well and extend our sympathies to everyone who is dealing with this weather.
Out here it finally warmed up enough to begin melting the snow and ice on the roads. A light snow this morning covered everything with a thin layer of white, but it was short-lived as the temps got near or above freezing this afternoon. The yard still has a heavy layer of snow, but the white stuff is receding around the edges of the sidewalks and driveway. Our two snowiest months are ahead (February and March) but for now there is a lull.
Pam ordered a glider bench and it arrived a couple of days ago. Here are the components sitting in the living room:
Glider parts waiting for tung oil
Pam lightly sanded the surfaces then put a coat of tung oil on all the wooden parts. After letting it dry and doing the assembly work the glider looks like this:
Assembled glider
Initially we will use it in the house, then on the deck when the weather warms up. Pam has wanted a glider for a couple years and it is sort of a late Christmas gift. It is quite comfortable to sit on but Pam will fix up some cushions to make it even more comfy.
Speaking of furniture, here is a photo of Pam’s “antique” drop-leaf table, now serving as our printer stand and extra work space. Pam says this table may actually be someone’s shop project from the 1950s, but time has qualified it to be considered “antique:”
Pam’s drop-leaf table
The printer, an Epson R1900, is a large unit and takes up a lot of space. (The basket under the table holds dog toys.) Having the table near the computer has worked out very well, giving Pam more space around the computer to spread out papers and eliminating a lot of clutter. The table has a built-in drawer on the left side that makes a good place to store extra paper and ink cartridges. Table came from a local Re-Store shop, a division of Habitat for Humanity. Cost was $100.00 but the best part is the table fits the spot where Pam wanted it. Still need a few small items on the walls (a few of my photos), still need a console table/sideboard. Then the “spruce up” project will be done.
In cat news, Ebony (mother of litter #24) had her spay operation and will be surrendered to the shelter this coming Wednesday. Ebony is young and petite and black — we think her chances of getting adopted this time of year are pretty good. Right now she is bored with no other cats or her kittens to keep her company. Must be tough with nothing to do but eat and sleep all day. (Sounds like a pretty good life, actually.)
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Two Cents Worth:
Jer humors me with the mention and photos of “my” glider. Truth is, I’ve been looking at that glider for almost two years now in the catalog and finally ordered it. I envision it someday up at Sanderling, inviting us to actually sit down and enjoy the mountains rather than work ourselves till we drop. For me to sit in it, I will need a pillow behind my back to fit in the glider; Jer’s size is perfect for the seat depth. When it arrived, and we unbundled the glider from packing material, I was distressed to find I needed to hand sand all cut and curved edges. I thought the Amish had made this item, apparently Amish folks don’t sand rough edges? Goes to show nothing is quite as you think it will be.
Happy Trails.
Up to 40 in Madison yesterday, almost 70 degrees warmer than less than 5 days ago – 95 degrees if “wind chill” is included. Interesting that summer temperature variances are never that great – never goes from 105 degrees (including “heat index”) to 10 above.
Perhaps lower temperatures more easily allow even lower temperatures.
Local weather is moderating to near average — generally means “snow”. (We) had received half our normal snowfall by the end of December. At least snow will be much easier to remove.
(They) say that “polar vortexes” were a much more common occurrence 40+ years ago — every 4 years. (We’ve) been spoiled by warmer temperatures…
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Packers: “Expected result”.
The defense has been in a steady decline, especially in the “middle of the field”, safeties & inside linebackers. Injuries and under-performing high draft choices have made things even worse.
20 are about to become “free agents”, many on defense. Ted Thompson’s “draft & develop” approach has worked the salary cap well, but hasn’t done enough in needed positions.
This year’s “draft” will be interesting — a lot of holes to fill, and a lot of “cap money” to do it with…
Teams in the conference playoffs are “as expected”. Seattle & Denver have “the edge”, though New England’s new-found running game and the 49’ers determination will make things interesting…
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I’ve never purchased Amish furniture, so I’ve no idea how “finished” is the normal.
I do know their showroom pieces are done in a “simple yet elegant” manner.
Gliders, rocking chairs, etc — you’re taking me where I don’t want to go yet!
Hand sanding is a lot of work, but the bench turned out nicely. The table is great too – yay for the ReStore, GoodWill, etc.
The Packers lost? News to me.
🙂