The Ice Wars

 

Our lows remain near zero these days, leaving winter’s handiwork and a lot of hard work behind. Melting snow on our dark shingles sends water trickling into the gutters and down the drainspouts. The slow-moving water  freezes before it clears the sidewalk drains, creating a small skating rink at each corner of the house.

The first time this occurred (a couple of years ago), I marched out prepared for a COLD war, loaded down with extension cord, hair dryer, ice pick, and broom. I expected the hair dryer and ice pick to be the most useful of my weapons of ice destruction.  WRONG!

Turns out, HOT water (fight fire with fire; water with water???), is my weapon of choice these days. Does a beautiful job. Just got to keep toting bucket after bucket, but it works wonders. Once the ice is cleared off the sidewalk (gotta keep sweeping off the excess water often or it re-freezes!), pouring hot water over the base of the downspouts melts the  ice trapped there and allows it to slip out the spout.

It’s dark now and I’ve retreated from the front lines. I’ll return to the last remaining combat area tomorrow, where the enemy is not quite defeated, but its icy ranks shrunk considerably beneath today’s onslaught. By this time tomorrow, I’ll be shoutin’ victory…the Lord willin’ and another snow doesn’t hit!!

My New Website!

As of today, this blog will no longer be titled Write in the Sonlight. Instead, posts here will share bits of my life on the farm. Write in the Sonlight is the title  of my author website . That site should be up and running in a few days. I hope you’ll drop by there for a visit as well!

Early Christmas gift from my hubby!

I have a huge collection of records and had no way to play them, so my sweet husband got me one of those turntables that converts old records and tapes to CD’s for Christmas…early! I’m lovin’ it! Spent the whole day yesterday working on homemade Christmas gifts and listening to a PILE of old Christmas records. Another modern invention I’m soooo thankful for!

Thankful Log: My Bernina

Thankful today for my Bernina. The lap quilt is almost finished! Just hand quilting left in the middle.

Facebook Posts

I’ve been on Facebook almost a year now and have enjoyed connecting and sharing with old friends, relatives,  and former students.  Evidently, the network has grown by leaps and bounds and has to reconfigure settings occasionally. Hopefully, the folks at FB can continue to provide this service to its users and ensure our privacy at the same time. It’s another of the many blessings in my life I’m thankful for.

A Prayer for American Soldiers

Thankful today for our American soldiers. Please pray with me for those courageous men and women who daily risk their lives for our freedom and comfort.

 Dear Lord, men and women stand in our stead

Suff’ring the horror of war and bloodshed,

Protecting the homeland and freedoms we prize

While facing an enemy that terrifies.

 

Lord, You’re our refuge, our strength, and our tower;

Surround them with shelter and safety this hour

Encircle our troops with a shield from above.

And touch each soldier with Your peace and love.

 

For You  are strength to the weak and weary

Balm to the mentally tired and dreary.

Protection from every pit and snare,

So, give ear to our words, Lord,

And hear our prayer!

By Barbara Lukow

 Based on Isaiah 40; Psalm 28:7; Prov. 18:10; Psalm 46; and Psalm 5

Thankful Log:Fellow Altos

Well, tomorrow’s the big day. Our Christmas Cantata! I’m thankful to my fellow altos who helped “carry” me this year. When practices began this fall, we were out of town several weekends in a row, and I didn’t have a chance to practice.  Thanks to the other four altos, I’ve learned most of the parts now. Here’s hoping we do well tomorrow. Praise and glory be to the living God!

Thankful Log: Modern Conveniences

Just finished the dishes and am enjoying making connections with friends and relatives all over the country on Facebook. The changes that have taken place during the past fifty years boggle the mind! I remember when we got running water in our house (I was twelve years old). I now have not only hot and cold running water, but modern appliances that reduce the workload and technology that puts the world at my fingertips.

I’m very thankful for the inventors and inventions that have made life so much easier…and enjoyable.  Think I’ll go watch a movie with my hubby.

Thankful Log: Christmas Music

I love Christmas music! Especially the Christmas hymns. What a wonderful way to praise and worship our King!  I plan to spend the day with hubby and a friend, work on some overdue projects, and listen to my collection. If your day doesn’t seem complete, get out the CD’s, tapes, and old records and enjoy the season, giving thanks for another of God’s blessings: Christmas music.

Thankful Log: Christmas Ornaments

For the first time in my life I decorated my tree this year with Chrismons. It’s gorgeous And so meaningful. I understand that most of the symbols used for Chrismons are symbols early Christians used to communicate…especially when experiencing persecution. I look forward to learning and sharing the meaning of each ornament with my family and friends who visit. Praise and thanks to our Heavenly Father, who has given us a Savior. He truly IS the reason for the season!