The view....

Yep, that is what the yards and sidewalks look like around here...not sure how deep that is....the truck does not make a dent in it. I almost fell I don't know how many times when I was out. So, I am not taking my camera out to get any of the lovely pictures I know are there for the taking. Instead I contented myself with taking a couple from the porch.
The sun was too high for this to be a good shot...if I had taken it a bit earlier I think the ice on the trees would have shown better.

But notice the sky!!!! That is blue sky....and we had it yesterday starting sometime up in the day. And water is dripping from things that are iced over. So eventually it will all be gone. And none too soon for me.

I even saw Bubbie sliding around a little bit while trying to walk out on this ice. The cats go out, but sure don't stay long...you can tell by their actions that their feet get cold. I sure feel sorry for animals that don't have a a warm place to stay.

Which reminds me of something I seen the other day.

We were in Terre Haute and on one of the corners at a stoplight there was a couple that held signs wanting work...saying they are homeless. Now some are used to seeing that, but I am not. There is probably more of it close to here but I am not out enough at the right time to see it. But I wonder where they slept....were they warm.

I also wondered about their life....wonder what led to that condition. Was it really beyond their means to avoid, or were they like some people with financial difficulties that won't do little things like give up their cell phone, do without cable, etc. Continually using a credit card as if it does not have to be paid back?

And I was thinking to myself that gee, we spend enough money on cats, we could cut enough out of that to at least buy them a meal...but I did not suggest doing anything....just drove on by.

But I have thought about them several times since...wondering how do other people handle seeing homeless. Do you feel a certain amount of guilt. Do you wonder if you offered them a job, if they might steal anything they could lay their hands on? Or do those thoughts never cross your mind?

One time we were in the hospital cafeteria down there and this old man came through....and Roger could tell he was homeless...the old guy got a cup of hot coffee and a doughnut or some little something like that. I don't think I even realized he was homeless till Roger mentioned it...now what Roger done was get out a little bit of money...it wasn't much but it was something. He got up and pretended to go get something and walked by the old guy and pretended he found the money on the floor, and gave it to him saying he must have dropped it.

The old man did say it wasn't his, but Roger just told him well, its not mine so you keep it. And the old guy went back through the line and got more food...I don't recall just what.

We left that situation and did not feel any guilt, yet ever since we seen that couple in Terre Haute, I have wondered what we should have done. I think anything would have been better than nothing. Kindness never hurts....no matter what the situation.

While I have the chance...

It is dark almost and the birds are still at the feeders; what is/was strange is that they hardly came yesterday. Usually they come the day before a storm hits. With them staying out there this late, it makes me wonder if really bad weather is coming.
We awoke to an icy world this morn...but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.
I eventually got dressed in warm clothes and ventured outside to take a few pictures. I love the one above...it is the 'smoke' on my smoke tree. Makes me think of a crystal chandelier.
I wonder what my dogwood will do when spring comes after this freeze.
I felt like I was risking life and limb getting out...everything is a sheet of ice. You better believe I was careful going down the steps...

The cable has blinked off and on a few times today...so far no more dimming of lights or anything since last night, but thought I would post these while I have the chance.

How about a little sparkle....

It started before dark...has slowed down for the time being...
but I thought I would show you how things are beginning to look.
These are taken from my front porch....I would recommend to click and enlarge the photos to really get a better look.
As you can see, everything is coated with ice. The police are asking people to stay home unless they absolutely have to be out.

Our lights were dimming earlier...then we heard a boom after a bit. I didn't think anything more, but happened to look out and notice our streetlight is out. Then I decided to step out and see what kind of picture I could get...that is when I notice the other side of our street has no electricity. They are on a different something or other than this side of the street...so, I am hoping we escape without losing ours.

While out just those few minutes, I heard limbs breaking in the trees south of us. I don't think they were huge limbs, but too dark to see for sure.
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One year when the girls were young...not sure how old. I don't know if either one was in high school or not. But we got an ice storm...even the yard itself was treacherous to walk on. There was inches of snow under the ice, but the ice was so strong, even us adults could walk on it without breaking through. That is if we could stand up.

The girls and one of their friends took off to the trails, a little bitty section of woods over across the railroad tracks. It has some steep banks...I don't think they would classify as hills. They came home, cold and red faced..and had about wore the seats of their pants wore out from sitting on their bottoms and sliding down those banks or hills or whatever you want to call them. I have not seen it that slick in a long time and wonder if this is going to be another time a sled is not needed.
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I forgot to tell that while at Sarah's yesterday, I was playing with her Legos with her. Well, the set she has has a mommy and a daddy and grandma and grandpa...I left the room for something and Roger said she had the mommy and daddy kissing. So when I told Sarah this evening, I thought it would be something new. But no, she told me she also has her animals kissing each other.

And Sarah texted me today and said she was trying to watch a movie, but could not hear a word of it because of Lorelei singing and chattering so loud. I told her she needed to get a recording...but I didn't tell her I wanted it to share with everyone.

Well, that is about all from my corner of the world. I guess I will have to stay home tomorrow, even if it is beautiful.