Yes but what about Second Snowfall?

If it is rare to get snow in the South, it is even rarer to get more than one snowfall per year but here we are.  Last week the kids were off school for President's Day.  They went to school Tuesday and that evening, in anticipation of the coming snow, schools were closed, and if you didn't have to go anywhere STAY HOME! order was given.

from the first snow 

Nightingale had to use a PTO day because they couldn't reach all the patients in time to close the clinic.  It wasn't as much snow as the last one but down here any snow that lasts more than an afternoon is bad.  I started to clear off the driveway but while taking a short break -- I have a football-length driveway just from the street to the base of the house -- noticed that my neighbor's driveway was melting with the sun beating on it and realized ours was too.

On Thursday, schools were still closed, but the roads in our subdivision had melted, as had our driveway, so it was safe for Nightingale to go to work. The kids did have school on Friday.  The majority of the snow melted over the weekend with the last remnants fading away today.  

also from last time but it looks just like this

We had a big day on Saturday because we actually left the house.  First, it was for Nephew G birthday party at a bounce house.  He is 7 now.  Then, since we didn't have much food in the house, we opted to treat ourselves to Mexican.  We also invited Nightingale's parents who also invited Confederate Jethro et al.  

But first, the party.  I usually sit in a corner and just make sure my son isn't getting into any trouble but this time I made an effort to be social and sat at the adults' table.  Since I only see these people for G or M's birthdays for the most part, I always forget the names of most of Jethro's family.  

His Aunt B asked the table "Well, are we happy with the results of the election?"  My MIL said "We are, they aren't" referring to me and Nightingale.  Nightingale said I hope I still have a job and MIL said "I don't think that will happen, I have a gut feeling".  usually, it's FIL who is clueless.  

A short time later I was asked how I like it down here.  Whenever someone asks me a variation of that question, I respond with "People are uncomfortable with the answer to that question" which I did here.  Credit Beau Bennett, The Ranch.

She didn't quite hear me and thought I said something else but then she said "I'm not like Jethro" which Nightingale thinks is code for liberal.  I think it's more a way to say she's not as bat-shit crazy as Jethro et al but she is still likely conservative and Republican.

So then Dinner.  On the one hand, Jethro probably would have preferred anywhere but a Mexican restaurant for dinner.  On the other hand, if he didn't want to eat there he would have had to go home with at least one kid and make dinner.

It was loud and hard to carry on a conversation but I did manage to have a semi-pleasant chat with SIL and Jethro, though mostly SIL.  We talked about the upcoming trip to Michigan to visit the other SIL because her son is being crowned Prince of the Universe graduating High School and the Adamas want everyone to be there.  

I opposed to going for several reasons, which I may cover in a future post.  

Winter is Leaving (eventually)

It is wintertime in Mississippi and the rest of the South. Usually, what passes for winter down here is a few below-30-degree days and maybe one snowfall. Since we moved here, and even a few Christmas visits before, there has been bigger-than-standard snowfall and colder-than-record temperatures.  

kids attempt at making us breakfast

The good news is that winter is usually just mid-December to mid-February, give or take a week. Typically, it will be biting cold in the AM, but by 1 pm, the sun will be out, and it will be anywhere from 45 to 60 or even 70 F.  

This year, Winter seems to want to stick around into March according to the weather forecast.  We might actually get more snow next week.  

Finally got the chicken right for the Alfredo

Every January I wonder what I should do with this space.  I've been blogging here for 15 years with 922 posts to show for it.  While blogging isn't dead, it definitely has taken a back seat to other forms of social interaction.

I could go over to SubStack and revive my ChicagoNow blog in hopes of growing an audience, but I don't think I want that anymore.  Writing, running, and playing volleyball were my passions in my teenage and early 20s.  But each one eventually became "work" and thus not as much fun.  

Beyond that, by the time I can make words about something it turns out that other people already said what needs to be said much better than I could ever say it.  

The reality is that I'm not gonna be a viral influencer or pundit and I'm never gonna write that great American novel.  And I'm okay with that.  Having a space where I can write my occasional this happened to me and here are my thinky-thoughts about it is fine.  

A very simple meal

As I've gotten older, I've learned that I don't need to eat a Flintstone's brontosaurus-sized steak.  A simple few ounces will do the trick.

My hack is to buy the smaller 8 - 10 oz no-frills steak that is found at both Aldi or Kroger.  Kroger also offers a pair of lobster tails for $12.  So you can have Surf and Turf for about $10 per person.

The Final Product

And while my kids don't like the Lobster, Natasha will eat the steak.  Boris doesn't eat steak but if he had to eat it, he wants it well done.   He gets it from Nightingale's side of the family.