Saturday Slight

See those vehicle tracks?

They're iced over and not safe for walking.

See that snow?

It's crusty on top, soft underneath and not fun for walking.

I felt this morning like I was walking like an old lady.

Who cares if I AM an old lady????

In this case, life has returned to taking one careful step at a time, putting one foot after the other.

Sorta like an analogy for the times we are living in.

I tried really hard to pull the cart filled with hay as far into the barnyard as possible. 

"Never give up" resonated but soon faded as I settled for a spot not too far from the barnyard gate. 

Seemed like forever before I had distributed all those flakes of hay but I got 'er done.

Then it was time to get the paper.  In this case, my gait took on a weaving theme:  weave out of this icy rut, walk on that crusty snow, weave back and forth all the way to the end of the driveway.  Then, be darned careful walking up the icy incline to the road. 

This slow but determined effort signaled one more reminder of the good ol'  "welcome to winter" regimen in North Idaho. 

If you're not shoveling snow for pathways or dripping wet from plowing wet snow, you're taking your life in your hands every step of the way when every place you plowed or shoveled turned to ice overnight. 

This may be a good thing for the Pandemic winter.  We might even yearn for several good snow shoveling days, but I don't think I'll ever wish for more ice. 

After all, one slip with the old bodies and pray that nothing broke.  Going to a hospital is never a fun experience, but these days, going to the local hospitals may not be in the cards. 

So, we BE careful, more careful than ever. 

Speaking of being careful, I'm headed over to Wood's Meats this morning to pick up my package of German sausages. 

The lady on the phone told me they are taking Covid safety measures----in the line, we're to stay two cows apart, while waiting with our masks on. 

Thank you, Wood's for taking such care. Two cows a part sounds good. 

I also learned that since the Pandemic, there's a waiting list of several weeks if we want those boxes of hamburger patties (1/3-pound or 1/4 pounders).  

So, I thought, what the heck, get one ordered cuz those are best patties around. 

And, while we are on the subject of food, I have not yet revealed the following information to Bill. 

I want him to read it on the blog:

McRibs sandwiches are coming back to all McDonalds Restaurant on Dec. 2. 

I follow blog writer named Rocky who has some relatives from Sandpoint, and in this morning's post he announced the big McRib news along with providing a little historical account of McDonalds. 

 http://pa-rocks-ramble.blogspot.com/

My own history with McDonalds takes me back to the good ol' days when our mother would take Mike, Kevin and Marianne on road trips to Michigan and our Aunt Louise's house in the Ford ranch wagon. 

We were always hungry, and so whenever she saw the "new" fast-food outlets advertising 8-10 burgers for a dollar, she'd pull in. 

I'm sure most of these were the early McDonalds or Arctic Circle restaurants.

I remember two things from those experiences.  First, every bite was eaten, and secondly, that time I spilled an entire chocolate milkshake all over the car seat, I think it might be an understatement that Mother was happy.

Which reminds me of a similar reaction when Bill, Willie, Annie and I were on a road trip to Louisiana.  

Moods were pretty sour on that stretch of road, so we eventually made a pit stop to break the routine.

Upon my return to the car, I did not happen to look at the passenger seat while getting inside. 

I did not see the 64 oz. Icee or slurpee or whatever the heck it was that Bill had temporarily placed on my seat. 

Sure did feel it though when I squashed the entire cardboard cup and its cold contents while sitting down. 

I think that day I could have run rivaled or even overtaken my mother in the " she-sure-did-get-mad" category. 

Anyway, I want to thank Rocky for announcing a "litte bit of good news today."  

Bill will be ecstatic, and if Dec. 2 comes on a Friday, I know what the take-out will be. 

So, on this icy, windy Saturday, I'll bid adieu. 

Hope everyone is staying safe and marking your calendars for Dec. 2:  McRib Day USA!  

Happy Saturday.