Saturday, February 15, 2014

I am creeping about the house, trying not to awaken man or creature. It’s the quiet before the storm, or maybe the quiet during the storm. Snow has fallen again, undoing all of Rob’s work from yesterday. And there’s more to come. The landscape is breathtaking, as it has been for weeks now. But it brings with it hardships for the pups. Lucy is fearful of ice on the landing and Val runs around—or lopes around—in the deep snow, but he minds the snowballs clinging to his legs and the ice crystals that form under his paws. I wish I could make it easier for them, but I still cannot shovel snow. My foot isn’t entirely healed and walking on uneven snow piles is painful and ill-advised. This, too, shall pass and leave in its wake March mud, paw prints on the porch, muddy towels from wiping puppy paws, and extra loads of laundry. But at least they’ll be able to run freely again. Val needs the exercise and Lucy needs to be assured that each step will be safe and ice-free.

Mom is still sleeping soundly, too, but I am concerned that she might have another bladder infection. Need to check this out on Monday if the roads are clear. Why is it that medical concerns always arise on weekends for both humans and pups? In the meantime, I’ll have her work on the remaining gallon of cranberry juice. Thank goodness she likes it!

Was surfing while I had the quiet and came upon a new book: When Did White Trash Become the New Normal?: A Southern Lady Asks the Impertinent Question. Sounds like fun. I have been asking this question since the onslaught of programs such as Bridezilla, The Kardashians, Honey Boo-Boo, Toddlers and Tiaras, and Hoarders. Is this to show the rest of the world that America is nothing more than a collection of slutty, stupid, mindless, and filthy people or to promote it among Americans as acceptable behavior? I don’t watch TV much at all except (as I noted in earlier posts) for Frasier reruns (the last of the intelligent sitcoms) and some HGTV programs. But the other night, I was changing the channel for my mother when I heard a line from a show (with that kid who used to play Doogie Howser). Anyhow he had broken up with someone and was bereft. His friend was trying to convince him that he needed to sleep with someone, anyone. You know, this is what they did in the Soviet Union. The only thing they had left was sex. It was promoted as a salve, a panacea. Something free and enjoyable and without consequences. But making it casual took away any magic even sex ever held. So la populace wound up with nothing. Nothing at all. Empty shelves in the supermarkets and emptiness in the bedroom. Sad. It’s where this country is headed.

Ah, see where a few moments to myself leads.

Just checked mom’s bathroom towel. We don’t leave any towels in the bathroom, except for my mother’s use. The rest of us use paper towels. It’s a necessity. I check mom’s towel to give me an idea of what the morning will require. If the towel is badly soiled, I will need to get her into the shower before breakfast, then wash her nightgown, sheets, and towel by hand, and put them into the wash with some Clorox. Then it’s off to the breakfast counter. Am thinking of making pancakes today—a rare treat. My only concern is whether mom will like them or insist upon her cereal. I am sometimes able to substitute her cereal for eggs and homemade sausage. Let’s see how I do today.

This is wonderful. It’s 7:46 am, and I am the only one up! How long will this last? Oops, Valentino’s awake. He’s in my office now, but fortunately, he has retreated to his dog bed for a few moments at least. I ask myself, “What would Frasier do?” Well, he’d probably play the piano and awaken his father. Fortunately, I can turn the sound off the Yamaha or use earphones. But frankly, I think a cup of tea might be in order.

You know, I’d like to meet Kelsey Grammer. I used to imagine a luncheon with Bill Buckley, Thomas Sowell, and Jimmy Stewart. I would just sit and listen. Wouldn’t dare say anything. I’d have nothing to contribute. But I could talk with Kelsey Grammer over lunch. Or could I, other than to say I enjoy his acting, I admire him immensely, and I loved Frasier Crane. Oh well, I’d have to sit quietly and say nothing. OK, so imagine a lunch with Maggie Smith, Judy Dench, and Kelsey Grammer. I could gape in awe and listen. I wish Kate Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart were still alive to join us.

It’s starting to snow again.

 

Post-Breakfast:

Received an email from my uncle who mentioned that he prepared pancakes for breakfast on this snowy morning. That put the bee in my bonnet, so I went ahead with my plan. I always use the recipe from the original Joy of Cooking, but I use far less sugar, and I use Sucanat (sugarcane natural). Firing up a really hot griddle is a piece of cake on this stove, and the vented hood makes all the difference. I separated the eggs and beat the whites in my copper bowl with a bit of Himalayan pink mineral salt. The pancakes come out lighter and fluffier this way. And I served them with warm maple syrup. Of course, there was no telling if my mother would approve having pancakes instead of her Honey Nut Cheerios, but she enjoyed them. I ate mine as I stood over the hot stove.

She is now watching television and commenting on the action. (I fixed the station to a dog show.) I am hearing Ohmigods! and Look at that! So I think she is sufficiently entertained for now. And someday, perhaps, we will be able to sit on the porch to admire the flowers or walk down the block for some exercise or even go to a mall where we can walk safely and warmly. Or is walking safely at a mall no longer possible?