One Snow Battle After Another

This snow and its aftereffects have been exhausting, ever since our world became a frozen tundra starting Sunday, January 25. I know I should be grateful for creature comforts. But this is no innocent storybook blanket of white. 

1. Our neighbors are maneuvering beloved New York City with mountains of snow, garbage and uncollected recycling. The ice-crusted snow is not going anywhere. Many homeless people have died in NY and NJ.

2. It takes forever to get out of this 1924 Dutch Colonial house. I like easy flip flops, not lace-up L.L. Bean boots--though in a reluctant nod to nature, I bought a pair up in Vermont when visiting Meg. Lacing the boots adds a lot of extra time.

3. If I'm thickly bundled up, I can't drive. I can't budge at the steering wheel. So I have to take my coat off.

4. Our car died at least three times, and we spent a lot of money to fix it. I noticed a number of other car hoods up/vehicles stalled in my travels.

5. Too much carb loading, too little cooking. What is a green vegetable? Please remind me. I did manage a batch of Grace's Mushroom Soup, a big pot of chili and a vegan banana bread from the Babycakes cookbook for Figgy, who has been hunkering down and busily writing her PhD application. But otherwise, crackers, deli ham, melted cheese, chilled prebiotic sodas poured over lots of ice and coffee, coffee, coffee call my name.

6. Dogs are out of their element. They can't find a spot to do their business. I know, because I watched my Sis's sweet Galena for nine days (in Connecticut and here) while Sis traveled. I walked that dust-mop darling three times a day, she in a plum-colored parka, and often, we both dreaded going outside. Tail down, shoulders up, let's go.

7. Some families have little or no food, so I should not complain about a privileged $55 Saturday night pizza delivery from a place in Wayne that we used to love. I ordered the special, a plain pizza, salad and Italian hero package; the chicken parmigiana hero with vodka sauce that Punch always loved; and garlic knots. What a disappointment. The $55 included all the taxes and fees and the $7 tip for the driver. None of it was stellar, and the pizza was practically cold. I figured we would have ample leftovers in this snow situation, but am about to throw them out. 

Yet I have never been more grateful for a heated home. When I walk in the door, I thank God that our oil tank is not on "E" (it has sometimes been) and that the old radiators are still cranking out heat.