Frigid Arctic Air Blows in...

Mom calls me a Kissy Boy because I kiss kiss kiss everything. Boxes. Toys. My kitty sister Rocky. Mom. Siblings. Windows. And doors.

This morning, as Mom was getting ready to take me out into the white fluffy fun stuff gone slippery, I kissed the heavy inside door, I did. I then kissed the outside door. I had to pull pull pull 'til my tongue finally came back to me. Mom kissed, cuddled, and fussed over me, and now I don't quite remember how I felt before my tongue wouldn't come back. I love to cuddle, I do, I do!

We went outside and both slid on the white fluffy fun stuff gone slippery. I quickly did what I needed to do, and asked if we could go back inside, I did. Mom said it was -39F with the windchill, whatever that means. I'll just say it was really cold out there, even for me in my winter fur coat, it was!

Before we went in, I almost ate my sibling William's snowman, I did. He made the eyes and mouth with my din-din, he did. I think he would have told me it was a big no-no, I do.

My siblings are home, again, today. It's not the weekend or a snow day, Mom said, she did. Today's a cold day. It sure is, I say! --Mister Poochie

Snowmen, Icemen!

After the kids came home, today, we shooed them outside to play. It was a beautiful afternoon, and warm, not too typical this time of the year in our neck of the woods.

NOAA weather radio was predicting freezing rain, sleet, and then snow late this evening and tomorrow. An anticipated snow day was in the forecast!

Elizabeth with snowfriend

William and his creation (not quite finished, here)

Hannah still working on hers

William's finished masterpiece made with dog food and carrot


Tuesday MorningWhat we woke up to--lots of snow flying...

And icemen!!!
And, yes, a snow day!

--LKR

Sunday's Song

There Is A Redeemer

There is a Redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One,

Jesus my Redeemer,
Name above all names,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Oh, for sinners slain.

Thank you oh my Father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.

When I stand in Glory,
I will see His face,
And there I'll serve my King forever,
In that Holy Place.

Thank you oh my Father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.

There is a Redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One,

Thank you oh my Father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Til the work on Earth is done.
.
--Keith Green

I Can See Clearly, Now

It was long overdue. Not from a fish's perspective, perhaps, as fish benefit from plant overgrowth. Aquatic greenery adds oxygen, as well as stabilizes mulm--fish waste, plant debris, and other organic stuff that's not totally decomposed that eventually falls down to the bottom.

This equates to getting away with less cleanings, and not having to replace the oxygenating filter system's motor that burned out after a power outage. Yes, you got me on this one--the evaporated water was not replenished as often as it should have been, either!

But it had irked my hubby that he could no longer see any of the fish in our tank. "What's the point in having a fish tank if you can't see the fish?" was his question to me.

Okay, even our huge, lemon-yellow Angelfish? Well, "Angel" (as the kids remember naming him, three and a half years ago) did like to hide among the jungle and tangle of leaves in the back of his abode. But, hubby was correct, it was time to totally empty and clean the aquarium, gravel and all. And, yes--thin out the aquatic vegetation so we could actually see all the fish, not just the "Big Lemon", my name for Angel!

If you've ever done a thorough cleaning of even a small tank, I'm sure you're already cringing. Ours isn't huge by any means, but I find that even lifting an empty 29 gallon aquarium is not only awkward but heavy!!! Lifting and carrying it 16 feet was not really my choice.

It was hubby who decided to rearrange our living room, and for a good reason, I might add. He 'd be bringing home the beautiful solid maple desk he made years ago in shop at Mosinee High School from his Mom's. It would take it's position of prominence in our place of dwelling.

So, this would be a two-fold project, and the effort would be well worth it!


I think Angel's happier, now, even though he can't hide as well. He can see me, better, and has been begging for food more often! Angel has an enormous appetite! Thanks to him, we've never had an infestation of snails!

Oh. Did I mention that our Neon Cardinal and Zebra Danio are missing??? --LKR

Oh, Deer, Oh, Deer, Oh Deer!

Aren't they sweet? I saw four of these deer, and my son William saw five. In the past, there have been at least five that congregate in the back of Salem Baptist Church which is right off of Clairemont Ave, a very busy road in Eau Claire, WI. They are regular attenders! --LKR

Go Giants!!!

It all started when we got home from a luncheon held at church. Hubby became glued to the tube down in our family room. After 16 years of marriage, I finally figured out that you don't just watch your team play, you also watch who they might be playing in the Super Bowl. In earlier years, Hubby was held captive by the radio, making frequent calls to his die hard, fanatical, Packer-loving parents.

There was no use in trying to make anything formal out of dining, tonight, so, the kids and I snacked our way through the rest of the afternoon and into dinner. What else where we to do?

Throughout the afternoon, one child or another would search and find me, excitedly reporting the plays and giving updates on the score. My son was jubilant when the Packers were winning, the girls when the Giants scored.

I did want to watch at least part of the game since my team was also playing--against my Hubby's. Hearing it was the end of the game and they were tied, I raced downstairs to watch the finale. When Lawrence Tynes missed the field goal, I had to leave. It was just too much. I couldn't watch it one minute more. Simply watching them play on that frigid field gave me frostbite, made my muscles cramp, and teeth chatter. Dampened spirits of looming defeat added to my discomfort.

I did come back after the kids told me my team had won. The above picture was the replay of the winning field goal.

Go Giants!!!

--LKR

Sunday's Song

Jesus, All for Jesus

Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.

All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.

For it's only in Your will that I am free,
For it's only in Your will that I am free,
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Copyright © 1990 Word Music

Let's Go for a Ride!

Several of you wanted to know what the area around us is like. Well, I thought you might like to go for a ride! These were taken while I was driving..., so they are not as clear, clean, or straight as they could be.

We're in a subdivision out in the country. This is the (non-functioning) farm right down the street.

Lowes Creek Road

My beloved Lowes Creek County Park

Another non-functioning farm. This one used to have Llamas. Unfortunately, that was long before we ever moved here!

This is a new development in town near South Middle School. Several are for sale. Any takers?

--LKR

Hunger Strike???

Q: How do you tell if a snake is sleeping? A: You can't! They sleep with their eyes open!

Actually, if the scaled creature is all curled up and looks comfy and cozy, chances are he is asleep. However, when they are "lounging" over rocks and branches, your guess is as good as mine!

Our little fox snake still has his wild instincts and goes into semi-hibernation from fall to spring. This is the second season of winter we've had Jake, so I was familiar with it. Early on, he gets rather urgent in his slitherings, more than likely looking for a suitable place to do some serious snoozing.

My real quandary is this: How often do I feed him? I feel like an awful mother when he rejects food I've offered. So, he's not hungry, but I still worry--did he eat enough the last time I fed him??? Well, he obviously thinks so, but you know us moms. You can imagine the scenario:

"What?! You're going to be sleeping for how long, and that's all you ate?! Eat! Here's a fuzzy! If you don't eat that, I'll get you a smaller-sized portion. Oh, here's a pinkie for you anyway, just in case! Now, eat! Pleeeeese eat?"

A very knowledgeable man from a local pet shop came to my rescue, telling me I had an ideal situation. He wished domesticated snakes wouldn't loose that God-given instinct. "They eat less, and as a result, grow slower so you don't have to buy them a larger home as often," Jim told me.

Actually, I wouldn't mind that, but at least I now know for certain that eating even a little about once a month or so is normal. It's always nice to have something other than "huntches" to go on, you know? Especially when you have a critter whose well-being depends upon you!

There are choices. Jake can be kept warmer with a light added to make him think it's not wintertime. He can be kept the way he is, thinking he's in a warmer state like Kentucky or Kansas. Or, his quarters could be made darker and cooler to sleep away the winter blues and blahs.

Which would you choose? --LKR

Sunday's Song

Everlasting God

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

--CHRIS TOMLIN

"Early" Morning Frozen Tundra Scenes

Okay, this post is for those of you who wanted to see early morning pictures of our snow. Admit it, you're one of them! Just don't get your hopes up, too high--it was -2F at around 9am and I was not too keen on trudging through foot high virgin snow to get to areas that would have been of more interest!

Yup, this is me. I'm more than a little fuzzy, flat, and dark in the mornings, especially during the winter months.


Yes, it's what you think. One of my dearest cherubs decided to help unfreeze Poochies' chain--last night!!! The dreaded back-up plan: find leash and walk dog though yard--Ugh!

So, Poochie and I romped--if you could even call it that!--in an un-trampled section of snow for maybe, oh, I'd say two minutes before he flopped onto his side, stretching his frozen little toesies up out of the freezing snow.

No, he's not a wimp, but it's funny to see a big, "tough" German Shepherd doing that! (Fifi the Toy Poodle would get immediate sympathy. But laughter comes first with the larger dogs!)

Don't let this picture fool you--the town piled most of the snow in our driveway, just like they do with yours!

I'll end with a sunnier shot!

Think Spring!
(I've had enough winter. How 'bout you?)

--LKR

Greetings from the Frozen Tundra!

A very Happy and Healthy New Year to you all from the frozen tundra! As you can tell, we are not lacking for snow up here in north western Wisconsin! It was an absolutely gorgeous sunny first day of the year, here!

I had wanted to get an early morning shot of the golden sun sparkling on the snow, but we're not puppy sitting, anymore. That would have been my motivation for not only getting up, but out in the early morning cold!

I'm very fortunate--my patient poochie not only waits for me to warm up to the idea of braving the cold, but to actually doing it! He's soooo good!

The kids go back to school, tomorrow, and have mixed feelings. None of them--nor either of us, for that matter!--wants to get up early! My hubby starts teaching at CVTC next week.

Here's hoping you all are having a good start to the new year! --LKR