A thin glaze of ice turned the tiny leaves of the boxwood out back into a natural mirror ball when the sun hit it just right. Because of the overcast day, however, that didn’t happen often.
We are just barely into 2009 and we are already experiencing unpleasant winter weather.
I am not opposed to snow. I choose not to drive in it unless there is an emergency (a shortage of Diet Dr. Pepper, for instance), but I rather enjoy playing in the snow with the dogs and taking picture of the whitened landscape.
However, I do not like winter rain. Especially when it comes in what the weather forecasters euphemistically call “a wintry mix” which always makes me think of bags of frozen vegetables.
Today is a Saturday, the roads are not slick and we are in for the night, so I won’t complain. Earlier this week, when school was closed, the Ump took me to work so that I would not get marooned there.
I do not drive in ice. Even the most fearless driver (my husband, for instance) is no match for icy roads. My car has rear-wheel drive which makes it especially treacherous on icy roadways. We bought it anyway because we knew I would not venture out.
So here we are in 2009. One question. Where did 2008 go?
It was a big year for the Rinker family. Olivia and Webb got married in September, so many events revolved around that. I haven’t written about the wedding yet. I did very little personal writing (or blogging) last year. I was working for a website and my job got very busy last year and I just let it go.
Not a good idea. Like any muscle, you must exercise your writing muscle regularly to keep it in shape. If not, you lapse into clichés and sentence fragments and too many conjunctions.
I do not make resolutions based on the passing of one year and the start of another. I find the best way not to break a New Year’s resolution is not to make one in the first place. Cut out the middle man.
However, there is no time like the present to get back in the saddle and start cranking out a weekly blog.
It’s probably going to take me a while to get up to speed, so bear with me. And to those of you who have told me that you have missed getting my columns – thank you for remembering me and encouraging me.
I am blessed to have good friends. And a nice warm house where three sleeping dogs, a dozing cat and a snoring husband are all curled up on various pillows and sofas – a playoff football game being ignored by every eye and most ears.
Here’s to 2009. One request. Less ice, more snow.
