This afternoon we have experienced one of the biggest snowstorms I’ve seen around here in a few years–it started about 11 am and we have had some whiteout conditions and several inches of accumulation. Philip, who’s 15 and works at a car wash, called around 2 to tell me he’d been in a wreck riding with his boss, Scott, on the interstate. He assured me quickly he wasn’t hurt, and had waited until they got back to the carwash to tell me. Thank God for those angels that surround my family on the roads. He said it was a 50-car pileup–let’s hope there was some teenage exaggeration there. But the interstate is now closed all the way to Iowa due to the many accidents that were occurring. My daughter in law Ashlie is stuck at her Mom’s house about 20 miles up the highway and will be spending the night.
What a perfect time to go get in the hot tub outside! I went out first with my coat to shovel a path and clean the lid off. Then I went back in and changed into a bathing suit and stocking cap. I will have mercy on any readers and not post a picture. As I came out, Leo the kitty did too, and quickly changed his mind and decided he preferred the house. But I don’t want my cats to be wimps, so I decided he could hang outside a while. I got in and pretty quickly regretted leaving Leo out, as he was whining pretty loudly. The hot tub is situated alongside the steps to the deck, about three feet away, and Leo soon found me and came to the middle of the steps, which was as close as he could get to me. He continued to beg me to open the door and let him in, and I was about ready to relent when I suddenly realized he was sizing up the jump from the steps to the tub.
“Leo, don’t!” But it was too late. He was flying across the gap, not knowing he was heading for a bath! I leaped at the same time, and managed to catch him just as his paws entered the water. Dumb cat. My two girl cats are nothing like him, much more sane, demure, gentle. Leo is a boy, through and through. He didn’t seem to be too upset, but didn’t try jumping in again. Maybe he learned something! He went and cowered behind the snow shovel propped beside the door, and I didn’t make him wait long before I got out and let him in.
Now I’m going to go make a pot of pork chili with black beans. We’re having Christmas at my mother in law’s house tomorrow evening complete with a chili cook-off. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
EDIT: I just heard the accident made national news!