Jonathan Kellerman detective series.
Down here in N. Ali-bama nothing is moving; I saw maybe half-dozen cars on the main road where I got stuck and not a single car in motion in my subdivision. Got a call that my dental appointment is cancelled for tomorrow, not expecting anything to occur before the thaw starts on Thorsday. It’s 10F now at 8:30pm.
JtC, glad you are getting reimbursed for the lost package. And that’s why you keep receipts, folks.
Becker, thanks for the Vow information. Been there a time or two.
Did see a couple other lawns that were pretty clear, so must be a conspiracy…
BBBoo, enjoy the Amtrak ride. Considering the hour you’re boarding and Amtrak’s often-time lateness, suggest you keep a check on the time table when you go, sitting around a small station for 3-4 hours won’t be all that much fun. Online they have https://www.amtrak.com/track-your-train.html and I;m sure there is an app you can get.
Swampy, glad they could get you in quickly. Like I said above, the dentist had to cancel my appointment for tomorrow, they promised to call with a new one (probably once she and her staff can make it to the office). Still waiting on the carpet folks (tentatively Thursday) and
the plumbers to put my sink back (haven’t heard from them, will call tomorrow if they don’t).
OK, think I;ll go watch some TeeVee for a bit and turn in early tonight. Take care all.
Thanks! When it got closer I was going to pm you and ask how I could track my train. In Lincoln it has a reputation for some fairly grandiose lateness, both westward and eastward. And it both arrives and departs either at midnight or 3am, depending on destination. I haven’t taken the train since they moved it out of grand old historic station into a boring modular a few blocks away, not even always staffed or open. Grim would be giving the new station the benefit of the doubt. At least I can park in a nice, well run parking garage owned by city across the street and wait in my car if needed.
JtC perhaps the card was transferred from USPS to Pony Express?? Glad it arrived and that you like it!
Hello, everyone, just popping in at the end of the day. FedEx now says my sister will get the package tomorrow. One of them? Both of them? Who knows? Maybe it’ll be Thursday or Friday. Maybe the berries will all be moldy. Remind me why businesses use FedEx again?
As a Chicagoan, I like the late, great Steve Goodman’s version best. (He wrote the song.) I used to ride the Illinois Central on that route. Then Amtrak took over, but it was the same route. I only went as far as Champagne, Illinois because I visited my sister at U of I often, but this verse went through my head every time:
All along the southbound odyssey
The train pulls out of Kankakee
Rolls along past houses, farms, and fields
Passing trains that have no name
And freight yards full of old black men
And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles
Pulling out of Kankakee, it was just like that.
Beck, I’m glad Vow is OK. Tell her not to scare you like that again!
JtC, how frustrating. Don’t you hate that she jumped to the conclusion that you didn’t mail it at the PO? Kind of like the gate agent who asked if I was sure I was on that flight after several eons waiting in the airport. If your immediate assumption is that the customer must be at fault, it may be time to stop dealing with the public.
I’ve read all and commented…in my head. Hugs all around.
It would have gotten here faster if it was delivered slow cow express! But it sure did brighten up a very grumpy day, so thanks again!
Chewy uses FedEx. They replace drop split bags of kibble on a monthly basis. This has been going on for years, I have NO idea why they put up with it.
YES, just like the gate agent assuming that you didn’t know where you were.
We are old, we are not senile.
I was expecting her response, she pulled that on me last year, which is why I made sure to be able to point her employee number on the receipts.
So…anyway…one of the fans on my comp is starting to fail. It’s a gaming comp (Alienware) and has three good fans, but listening to the failing one is not nice so I might not be posting until we get another one.
Hopefully it will be shipped UPS, they are the good guys out this way.
For want of a PO a sort was lost
Well, not that catastrophic, but because a printer failed in Greensboro, and because they didn’t fix it, and because some mouthbreather couldn’t label the bags correctly, several hundred bags that should have gone outbound wound up in Smalls. and the belt overloaded. Also, Ace is being Ace. Although driving in the rain and seeing his block head move in arc in rhythm with the wipers gave me a giggle.
To be fair, his Mom is in bad shape, his Mil just had an aborted cruise, and all the other stress…
Off to heave. It’s 22 degrees ferret height right now.
My co-workers are banding together to deal with my stuck car. When Sweet Manager brought me home last night, we toted along four flattered boxes & a bucket full of ice-melt “salt” from the restaurant. My co-worker with no car is gonna come by early this afternoon, and push it out - in exchange, I’ll give him a lift in so he doesn’t hafta walk.
I dumped the entire bucket out behind my tires last night - the plan is to let it work its chemical magic overnight, then shovel once more as much as possible and lay down the cardboard.
I thought about trying to push it myself but had visions of being run over by my own car…
Anyways, that’s the big plan for today. 
it works - I want my car back!
As opposed to me, whose mother just spent 3 days in a hospital in a foreign country where she didn’t speak the language, whose MIL is nearly 650 miles away under the care of a cardiologist, and whose grandkids have been puking so I can’t risk seeing them before leaving on my trip - yet I remain a delight to be around! 
My sister posted at stoopit o’clock in the morning that they were home safe and sound. I know this because I woke up at stoopit o’clock and couldn’t fall back to sleep. Dammit. Part of my wakefulness was because it occurred to me that we should pack a change of clothes in our carry-ons just in case our checked bags go astray. I need to add that to my list.
It’s 14 Ferrets and we just might hit freezing today. Maybe. I need to venture out to get a new furnace filter. I thought for sure I had some in reserve. I always buy 3-packs and I can’t believe I ran out - unless the HVAC guys used one of my filters instead of giving me a new one when they serviced our furnace in Nov. Whatever - I shall errand.
I have this feeling that I’m going to forget something important - like my passport or something. I hate that feeling. Especially since my memory ain’t what it should be - too many brain farts for comfort here. Where’s my list again??
First time I ever had to drive in snow was in college - Indiana in one of the worst blizzards they’d seen. I drove a Datsun B210 (like this, but brown). On my way home one day, I got stuck trying to turn into my street off the main drag. Before I got a chance to really panic, a couple of big guys happened by and got me back where I had traction, and I got home just fine. I don’t think they’d have had the same luck if they had to push something bigger. OTOH, maybe a bigger vehicle wouldn’t have gotten stuck?? Then some years later, I got my Chevette in a similar pickle, and a passing stranger got me going again. Good times.
And so begins my last full day at home for some time. Happy Wednesday!
I am so glad she is ok
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 23 (BRRR!) out and clear with a predicted high of 46 and N.O.S. for the day. We shall procure provisions and then back to da cave to stay inside and warm. The rest of the day shall be spent in the usual sloth, general overall uselessness, nappage, and day drinkin’ as is our wont. I shall make taco soup in the slow cooker for sup. There will be corn bread as well, cause, corn bread.
Now I need more caffeine and to feed rumbly tummy. Then, alas and bother, I suppose I must purtify and don attire acceptable for bein’ amongst the great unwashed. Woe!
Happy Hump Day Y’all!
Mornin’ everyone.
It’s 32F and frozen outside. We’re supposed to have rain early…then remain cloudy with showers in the afternoon. There is some mixed winter precipitation possible. Right now, it looks wet, but when I looked closer, icicles were hanging off my yard bin, and the lidded metal poop pail was also frozen shut. The expected high temperature is 45F. I’m glad I didn’t attempt to drive to work this morning because I’m sure the roads will be hell.
I was out sick yesterday, and honestly, I feel worse today. However, I have a couple of important meetings today and need to deal with another frozen/burst pipe issue at our Wenatchee building. I saw the email and figured they had stuff in well in hand, and it’s not like I’m physically going over there to fix the pipes. I need to follow up with leasing and my POC in Wenatchee today. I think between meetings, I’ll lie down unless I start feeling better. I felt pretty bad about calling out yesterday because I needed to be at the office, but you know what? The world won’t crumble without me there; sometimes, they need to learn to handle things independently.
FCM, I’m glad your mom is home safe. I also hope FCD is in a better mood today. It’s no fun when the spouse is pissy.
JtC, glad you had the proof that UPS screwed up and that at least you’ll get a check for it. However, it’s sad that all your work and cheese went to waste.
nellie, I’m sorry that FedEx has screwed up both deliveries. Many years ago, a very kind Raffer and, at one point, Doper mailed me some lovely chocolate-covered berries. FedEx botched that delivery, too. I eventually got them, but still.
The pups continue to grow like crazy, and yes, I know, I owe pics. It’s always a pain to get photos loaded from my Google to someplace where I can easily share them here.
I’m sure you’ll be well when I’m up at 3:30 PST tomorrow, FCM. So, Bon Voyage! I hope the trip is awesome and that both you and FCD can relax a little and enjoy it!
I have fortunately never been stuck in the snow and somehow have always managed to get through. I’ve had to drive through some pretty squirrely snow and ice situations over the years, and I am grateful that somehow I always managed to get through.
Well, I should get that kitchen squared away before I start work. Everyone take care.
Feel better, Taters!
We’re at 16 F here right now, with all the foreseeable lows in similar teens except for Friday night, with a forecasted low of friggin’ 3 F. Dunno what the hell is up with that.
There was more snow faintly drifting down earlier when I first got up, but it appears to have knocked off that nonsense again, for now.
There’s a beautiful pink sunrise behind the white-outlined oak branches. (Speaking of … see below.)
Monkey had a serious case of the cabin fever zoomies, so I’ve wiggled his red pointer, tossed treats and one of his toys to chase, and given him catnip in one of the work boxes.
I think he finally burned off his energy.
I’m having a hot cuppa Earl Grey, along with a little bit of cheese, some black bean soup, and Triscuits. Howzat for a breakfast of champions?
Now Mr. Sandman has visited, so I shall very soon retire my yawning self back to my snuggly blankets.
… but first, I wanted to share two pics I took while walking the other night. These were actually snapped in full color LOL.
The stark branches against the night sky with all the ambient light being reflected by the snow was mesmerizing to me:
Afternoon, mumpers! It’s 1c/34f outside with no predicted change, and partly cloudy. Weather app denies the presence of any sun, and says “Not cold enough to freeze, but cold enough to be fucking annoying.” I’d agree with that, it’s annoying that everywhere has the heating turned up full bung and I’m boiling!
WetOne I see you follow the Devonian method for scones (cream first, jam after) whereas the Cornish method is the correct one (jam first, cream after) 
As a kid, we always had butter on them at home but when I make them, I don’t bother with the butter as it’s a bit too much for me.
Beck I’m glad you found @VOW and the absence was for such a great reason! And thank you for letting us know.
BBBoo I am envious of your Amtrak ride since I have a fondness for trains. But the lateness is always a problem - we were due to board an Amtrak in Reno but it was so incredibly late, they put us all on a bus instead and dropped us at another station to pick up a different service. It was nowhere as much fun as I’d been hoping for but at least we got to where we were going.
Moooom congrats on the packing! I hope you had a list
Taters hope you feel better soon, and work will learn to cope without you so that you can take time to get over whatever you’ve got.
Uninspiring day at irk today, I was anticipating a day doing VLE updates but instead I got pulled into a 2hr departmental meeting that I really didn’t need to be at, so that was a wasted morning. Now I’ve got 2.5hrs and it’ll be time to go home!
Gggg…ggggg…gggood morning, Mumpers. I am currently a Fishcicle. The apartment has ok insulation but it’s not up to the temps outside.
This was at 3:30 this morning.
And this was a few minutes ago.
The high today is only supposed to be 26. But it’s supposed to be sunny so that’s something. My PT was canceled for today - they are delaying their opening until an hour after my appointment. I could have rescheduled but I’ve got an appointment Friday, then one on Monday and one on Wednesday. I should be ok.
We may need to venture out into the cold to provision again. We’ve been told that the roads aren’t terrible but haven’t checked ourselves. Luckily the store isn’t that far from the apartment.
Aside from a possible store run, my day plan is slothage, slothage and more slothage. While under blankets and with books.
I think my brain has yet to thaw out. Trying to follow a string of thoughts isn’t as easy as it should be. Time for coffee and the meal of oats to start the thawing process.
shoe, those are incredible pictures! They ought to be framed and sold in a gallery. You obviously get the subtle beauty and draw of the Midwest. As a die hard fan of the Great Plains and our vast windswept prairies and all their unheralded glories, may I declare you a dyed-in-the-wool Midwesterner, forevermore one of our very own. As a bred and bred Iowa girl, I can do that~Texas can no longer claim you, you’re ours! Now please, just move closer to me so we can pet each other’s feline overlords.
Glad to hear this. Sounds like I’ll be in good (enough) form however I pile the jam and cream on my scones. My plan will probably be to first eat a couple with butter melting in, wipe the butter off my chin , then launch into the hedonism of jam & cream, cream & jam.
High on my bucket list is a train excursion that is long enough that a sleeper seat makes sense. This Denver trip to see my son (the darling boy bought me the ticket for my birthday last week) is theoretically less than 8 hours, hopefully starting after midnight on the way where, and I think I’ll be able to sleep well enough in those big Amtrak coach cars for that amount of time. Sadly, the cafe car or dining car won’t be open my outbound on-board hours so I won’t be able to indulge myself in train dining, which in decades past I used to really enjoy. On the way home I (hopefully) depart Denver about 7am so I’m hoping to least have breakfast and lunch on-board, even if is just in the cafe car snack bar. I’ll also get to see some scenery during my daylight return trip~I’ve never been to Colorado so whatever I do see will be new and exciting. If I end up on a bus for portion of the trip, it’ll still be new and different, just different new and different.
Morning all. A sultry 4F upon waking this morning, but supposed to get up to 30F by the afternoon and rain is predicted for tomorrow, so life may begin to return to this part of Ali-bama. No intention of moving from the house today, so keeping my snacking down to modest levels will be the primary focus. Pretty much living in the office, since the great room is de-carpeted and the library is blocked by furniture. There are things I could be doing, of course, but sloth will probably win out in the end.
BBBoo, let us know when the Amtrak trip gets closer. And boofae, I remember when I was riding trains, was going to catch the Coast Starlight from Oakland to LA and see California, but the train was 11 hours late, so I got a refund and took a Southwest flight that was about the same price at that time, so got to LA in about 90 minutes. Still love to ride trains, but only when my schedule is flexible…very flexible.
FCM, check and double-check that list. One thing I always add when I’m taking a long-distance trip is an extra pair of glasses, if it’s not on your list I’d suggest adding them. Glad your Mom got home before you left. And I probably should change out my furnance filter too, it’s had a lot of work to do recently.
JtC, hope the fan hits the mailbox soon, and not the sh…fecal matter.
shoe, hope the car is moving today. No road salt here but I may put some cardboard in the back of the car just in case (no plan to get out in this stuff again, however). And those pictures are marvelous, look right out of an old Gothic horror book/movie (but in a good way 
)
Taters, I know the meetings and the burst pipe are important, but your health is kinda important too. Take care of yourself; that’s an order!
Real Fish, check to see if the roads are ice-snow covered; if they have been treated or had enough traffic that tire grooves are present, then you should be ok. If they are ice rinks like our roads here, be careful of stopping on inclines. And watch out for the 4-wheel vehicles, whose drivers think they have immunity because of 4-wheel drive…
OK, need to do the morning internetting and then consider breaking my fast, so hang in their all and have a good Hump Day.
Two degrees this morning: an improvement! We are actually starting a warming trend today that will gradually get us to the upper 20s by Monday. I had to emerge from the building yesterday to go to an eye appointment. When I left there, I was walking into the wind back to the car. Man, that was bitter!
Story of my life lately and unlikely to change in my dotage. Time for another cup of coffee. In my robe and slippers, curled up on the couch with my electric throw, complete with languorous Siamese stretched out between my iPad screen and eyes. She’s always more comfortable than me, mostly because I indulge her and hold still in her preferred position until all my aged joints are stiff and complaining. I think shoe’s Monkey and my Moxie are shop stewards in the ‘I’m A Cat So Sue Me’ union. The concessions all flow one direction.
It’s 5 degrees, feels like minus 12, and the dew point is negative 4. Didn’t know dew points could be negative. Going up to 15 and the wind chill advisory finishes at 9. Ariel has been inside for 3 days but the horses are going out later this morning.
Shoe those pictures are marvelous and don’t you have the best co-workers.
Everyone, be safe out there.