Weather and surgery put a damper on projects

Progress on most projects has slowed way down since late December. This is partly due to the holidays, and partly due to the extreme cold weather. Not only can we not do much outdoors in sub-zero weather, I can't really heat the workshop effectively either. Besides, it would take a huge amount of LP gas and there seems to be a shortage of that fuel for some reason.

We have been able to minimize our use of LP for heating the house by burning wood. As of today I'd estimate that we probably only have a week or so of firewood left so we are starting to conserve. For the first time in several years I'm going to have to spend time cutting and splitting wood to stock up for next year!

The other reason projects are not getting the normal amount of attention is that I've had cataract surgery. I had the left eye done on January 14 and the right one done on February 11. The surgery is no problem and the restrictions only last for a week for the most part (lifting, bending, etc.), but with my vision not back to normal even after that week, doing things like cutting wood on a table saw is a little scary. The plan is for me to get my new right side prescription lens about March 18. I got the prescription lens for my left eye last Monday and it has made a huge difference. Once my right eye heals I should be able to do more even before getting the new prescription.

Jo is pushing forward on some of her projects, though. I think it's a surprise for someone so, just in case all I can say is she is not just sitting around and waiting on me!

I did get some time to help Amelia finish her toolbox. It's a small box with a dowel handle of the classic type. I don't have a picture of the finished project or I would put it here.

Of course the choir is ramping up for Holy Week and Easter. We have a very ambitious cantata to get ready.

Everyone have a safe winter and spring.

Cocoa diary update

I've been remiss in not keeping you up to date on Cocoa's diary. This is from January. I don't believe there have been any entries since this one. I'll have to check with her :-).

Cocoa's Diary
 

January 7, 2014

Jo says she has another day off with nowhere to go!  The wind isn’t blowing as bad as yesterday, but my paws still hurt if I stay out too much!

Byron came to plow and he brought Kinsey.  Yeah! 

She really wanted to come inside the yard and play, but Jo says I am playing too rough with her.  I know I sound pretty gruff with all the growling and snapping that I do, but I wouldn’t hurt Kinsey, really.   Byron put her back in his truck, but she jumped out and was trying desperately to get in to play with me!  See, she doesn’t mind playing rough!

Jo insists I can’t get near Kinsey.  She doesn’t understand dog play, I guess.  I can tell she really likes Kinsey, and I have to admit, I’m a bit jealous!  I can’t stop barking, I’m so jealous.

Jo says she is glad I am gentle with the little kids.  Well, of course I wouldn’t dog wrestle with the little kids!  That is silly!  I’d rather they scratch behind my ears and pat my back, and grab my tail. When they put their little arms around my neck, I just melt.  They are so cute.

January 8, 2014

Well today is different.  Jo went back to work and Steve shut me up in the laundry room.  He usually lets me hang out with him now that he is retired.

I just had to let him know I couldn’t bear to be shut in one more day! 

I scratched at the kitchen door, but he didn’t come to get me.

I stopped for a bit and I didn’t hear anything…not the radio, not the water running, not even Steve snoring. 

Oh, no! I think he is gone too!

I panicked.  Maybe they wouldn’t come back. Maybe I would be stuck inside forever!

I gnawed at the doorknob but couldn’t get it to open.

I scratched and gnawed at the trim and it splintered into a million pieces, but the door still held.

I tried the back door.  I scratched and gnawed, but nothing.   I’m stuck for good!

It’s been forever…they have forgotten me…

…But wait I hear Steve walking in.  He’s home…UH OH…he’s home…I’m in trouble!

I can tell they are not happy with me, but so far they haven’t taken me away.   I don’t want to live in a cage at the dog shelter!  I hope they keep me.

The phone rang.  I heard Jo say, “Byron, you wouldn’t believe what Cocoa did today…” there she goes telling him all the bad things I did. 

She likes Kinsey better… Kinsey is always so good…Kinsey is so sweet…Kinsey…

But wait, I hear her say, “what, Kinsey did that?  Wow, that sweet dog gnawed at your woodwork and scratched your front door? I’ll be darn!”

Oh, maybe they will keep me!

January 11, 2014

Yesterday was pretty ordinary, but today Jo and Steve took off for a while and left me outside even though it was raining…Jo said she didn’t want any more dented doorknobs!  She did fuss about having a dry spot for me to get in out of the rain…she fussed like she still loves me…

I felt the panic again…maybe they won’t come back…I’m always afraid they won’t come back…

They came back!  And Jo says Amelia and Elliot are going to visit tomorrow.  She says Elliot misses me…ME!

They have to keep me for Elliot!

January 22, 2014

It’s really, really cold outside.  Steve and Jo left me alone in the house again.  But this time I have the whole house to myself—the wood burning stove is nice and warm, they gave me my treat ball and they even left the radio on for me.  I better be good this time!

Postscript: Cocoa has been good since that day. We have been leaving her loose in the house. She would still prefer to be outside, but with the cold temperatures that we have been having lately we don't want to leave her out. This week and next will be warm enough for her to spend more time outside. Of course it will be muddy and she loves to dig so she will need to be cleaned up before coming inside.