Ice . . .

Well, I was hoping it would be a snow day for me. But my place of business is open. I'm not there, but they didn't close because of the weather. Of course, prolly not too many people are there, but whatever. The fact that they're open and I'm not there means that I will likely be charged for a day of leave today. I can't get there. The electric train I take every day is not running as far out as where I live. The lines are frozen from about 15 miles North of me to the end of the line South of me, and the roads are so bad that driving to get the train is really not an option.

It's beautiful, isn't it? But what a mess. I did put a fresh feeder full of bird seed up this morning because when it's frozen like this, they can't get anything to eat on the ground. The squirrels are quite wiley, but I've managed to stop them getting the feeder down or open - at least so far. Of course I had to put packing tape on the top so they couldn't open it . . . Right now there are sparrows and a Purple House Finch (which is actually red - go figure), but I've had a woodpecker, and multiple Cardinals, Chickadees, Juncos, Nuthatches and of course a bazillion sparrows all morning long. They've already eaten close to a quarter of what I put out for them.

We didn't get the snow that was predicted, but where I live we got sleet - a boatload of sleet - along with the ice. We had a thunderstorm this morning while I was out chipping away at the ice on the driveway. Yes, you read that right: a thunderstorm.

I'm out there, in my pajamas, boots, hat and coat, smacking away at the ice, and it was early - I mean it wasn't even light out yet - and all of a sudden, thunder and lightening - at which point it began to rain ice. It rained ice. I had to come back inside. I waited for it to stop, and then went back out and re-cleared the little path I made - I could hear the trees creaking and ice cracking and clacking as the wind picked up and stirred the branches.

I rang my cleaning lady and told her not to come, but she was already on her way, which means I have a very clean house - and she brought me a huge plate of amazing Polish cookies that are WAY way good (thus saving me from baking any . . . ;-) ). My friend who is visiting from Colorado can't get to the airport because we can't get a train to get into the city, and since IDOT has been begging people not to drive, she rescheduled her flight and we're staying put.

I'm happy to have a day at home - I'm not so happy that I have to use a day of leave for it, but oh well. At least I'm home and safe. :-)

Here's a shot of the path I was able to chip through the crap this morning. Just that took me about an hour and my hands hurt now from smacking the metal shovel down on the asphalt to break up the stuff to make just this path. I would have brightened up the photo, but the sun was not out. The sleet was about two inches deep. I couldn't break up any more of it, so my driveway is probably toast for the rest of the winter unless we have a warmup. At least as far as having it clear and not slippery.

Buy stock in rock salt.

I finished up some socks and have nearly finished the last pair that's on the needles. I picked up the yellow Feather and Fan Scarf and have been working on it again - and finally finished up and plied the next skein of Cormo! Have not finished it/set the twist yet, but will do that probably tomorrow, since I lay stuff like that to dry in my guest room, which is currently in use :-)

I walked today on my treadmill, and am about to relax and get some knitting done! Maybe some spinning!

I hope, wherever you are you are safe and warm - and if you're local and you have to drive, please be safe.