Sunday, February 22, 2015

Winter on Honeysuckle Hill

  We've had 14 inches of snow in the past week.  Not much, compared to some places.  Not much compared to how it was when I was a kid. Sometimes the snow would drift so high you couldn't open the downstairs doors to get out of the house.  That doesn't happen anymore.  But when you get old, some snow is too much snow. I didn't leave the house for about 7 days this time.  I maybe could have..but why would I ?  I had everything I needed and wasn't willing to risk going off the road and getting stuck and having to walk back home. Or worse yet, wrecking my car.  No thanks..I just snuggled in here at Honeysuckle Hill...and waited it out.

  I haven't been blogging much. I haven't been doing anything that I should. lol  This winter has pressed me into a state of dormancy it seems. I always have this whole list of things that all summer I think "As soon as things slow down, when the gardens and canning are all done...I'll do these then..."  Well--I haven't done any of them I don't think.


  Not sure if it's malaise, depression or what.  I rarely think of myself as a depressed kind of person, but...I'd rather think it's this blood pressure medication. That may not be true either, but every time I take it, I feel like I'm ready for a nap. I think it's starting to worry the Irishman a little.  Once I get going, I can get things done, but there's the rub. Getting going.  Anybody else feeling like this ?  (PLEASE tell me it's not just me.)  lol


 The chicks are already showing up at the farm store. Ridiculous !! We are getting new chicks, but have nowhere to put them. They don't usually come out til the middle/end of March. Even then it's too cold to put them in the coop, so they have to stay in the spare room in a pen. But that room is now inhabited by a friend staying with us until she gets on her feet, so I'm not sure where we can put them... I suppose it will all work out, one way or another, as things are wont to do.  My son and husband are going to renovate the coop...it's 10 years old and was built from all recycled materials, many of which now need to be replaced. The basic structure is solid, but the roof and some of the other stuff needs replacing.  I guess 10 years is not bad.





 The pantry is starting to look a little ...used up.  It's a good thing. It's the way it should be.  I have only 1 jar of carrots left, but plenty of green beans still. Because last year I upped the amount I canned by about 20 quarts, since I ran out in about March.  The tomatoes (whole and sauces) are holding up okay too, but the corn is about gone and there are no more plain broths left. Only jars with chicken and turkey in broth. Not a big deal, but next year--more plain broth.  It's a never ending constant learning process. But one I take great satisfaction in doing...



  Alright...I really need to go work on another MEN blog..I'm behind. They did some work on their site and now it's even harder to use. I started and finally gave up a couple of days ago, as it didn't want to give me editing privileges or something.  sigh...I'm going back in...wish me luck ! 






Namaste.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dearest, Annie, it isn't just you!! I have all sorts of plans, and it seems few come to fruition. That's not really true, but sure feels like it. It's been an odd winter. An odd year so far. Well, an odd past year. lol! Hugs to you, stay warm, and keep on pluggin' along because that's what we have to do. Warm weather will be here and then we'll be complaining about that!! HA! We need to make plans to get the sour dough starter to you. Love you, doll!!
Nance Conniff
p.s. This has inspired me to get back to my blog at themomentsmatterblog.wordpress.com Thanks for that!!

Mama Pea said...

I think the problem with "getting started" is pretty widespread! I face a day thinking of eleventy-eleven things I should do, but can't seem to actually start on any of them. BUT once I MAKE myself just start, I'm good to go and usually don't stop until bedtime. Lots of times I have to play a head game with myself saying, "Okay, I'll start in on ______ (fill in the blank), and if it feels awful, I'll just stop." Fools me every time. I start and don't stop!

I think you go at so much so often that you just need to rest a little this winter. (Or maybe change blood pressure medications!)

thewiildmagnola said...

It could be the meds and the weather!

You may want to call the doctors office and talk to someone.....

I deal with depression from time....I know it well Annie.

You will shake it off. ((hugs)) little sister!

Susan said...

I was much better at 'getting started' in December and January. By February, my get-up-and-go was gone. I think, if I was retired or independent from having to work, I would not go anywhere during the winter except from barn to coop. Do you take D3 during the winter? I have found that what I think might be depression (for me, that is) has been a lack of D. Spring is coming!

Akannie said...

Dear Nance--oh thank goodness !! lol I'm going to head over and see your blog!

Can't wait for the warmer weather OR the starter. lol

Akannie said...

Mama Pea--yea, maybe. lol I think part of the medication thing is in my head. I am just so pissed at having to take all this stuff...I want it to be it's fault./ lol

I am the same way though, once I get going I can accomplish a lot. It's just that initial thrust that's missing.

Akannie said...

Thanks Sandra...your sweet words make me feel better. This morning it is 1 degree here and too cold to even go outside. So, here I sit. Reading and computing and dreaming...

Akannie said...

Susan...honestly, I do much better with a schedule or a deadline. It's all this downtime in winter, coupled with the lack of sunlight (you are right about the vit D...I stopped taking almost all my vitamins because I am taking like 5 pills in the morning already, between bp and arthritis. (Which is really bad this winter).

Spring IS coming. And it's almost time to get baby chicks. Surely THAT will cheer me up.

Ol'Buzzard said...

I miss gardening and canning: we live surrounded by trees and there is not enough sunlight to grow more that peas and beans.
the Ol'Buzzard

Ellen said...

If you're taking propranalol, it is quite sedating. I was prescribed it for anxiety, but didn't like that 'dead' feeling. Not sure if that's what you are taking? I always think it is worth while to go to the doctor and report side effects.

Akannie said...

Ol' Buzzard--I lived a few years where I couldn't garden and it felt like part of me was missing. I know what you're saying...when I lived on the North Coast of California, it was a completely different weather stage and it took me a long time to learn.

Akannie said...

Ellem, I switched from atenolol to carvedilol...they're all poison, I suspect. And I drive my dr crazy because I always report all the side effects (probably looking for a loophole to get me off them). lol