Christmas 2013 is history, 2014 has arrived, and winter weather has entered Missouri with a vengeance. Earlier we had a few inches of snow, and below 32 degree temperatures; I thought that was terrible. Sunday night’s storm dumped 10-12” of snow here, then the temperatures have dropped to well below zero for the past couple of nights. Actually the lowest I’ve seen here was -9, but my oldest son called this morning and said he had -19 (that was disputed rather heatedly at the coffee shop), but Larry does live on the river and I imagine it is colder down in that river bottom. Anyhow, I believe him.
The Christmas holidays were very enjoyable. Our family got together on Christmas Eve at Larry and Becky’s for good food, lots of conversation and gift exchange (he fixed the brisket recipe from the January 2014 issue; it was absolutely delicious. We’ve also had several good comments about the Sugar Cinnamon Almond recipe in the December 2013 issue).
Santa brought Alison new western boots and Camri received a new black felt hat to show in this next season. Loren and Lenice had ordered it while they were at the Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas, and it arrived Christmas Eve day. That’s cutting it pretty close. I received a very unique, one of a kind, bracelet with donkey photos. Christmas Day I enjoyed the day with Lenice’s family.
This cold weather keeps me busy filling bird feeders and seeing that the dogs are turned out and in. My 13-year-old Catahoula has made the garage her home for the winter. She even lets me cover her with a blanket when she comes in from her last trip outside each night. I know she is comfortable on her pile of pillows and rugs as you can hear her snoring when the house is quiet at night. My 10-year-old Lhasa Apso thinks he wants to go outside, but never ventures far from the front step. The snow really sticks to all that hair on his feet and legs.
My 38-year-old mule, Star is confined to the lot and her barn stall right now so the five mules Loren has here can get to the automatic waterer. Star seems to be content as long as she gets her Equine Senior daily and her manger is full of good hay.
Davey brought me some scraps and put in the pasture, and I have been enjoying watching a pair of immature Eagles feed off of the scraps. Right now everything is covered in snow, so they haven’t been around, but I’m hoping they return when things thaw out.
By the time you get this we should be headed to the Boone County Mule Sale at Columbia, Mo., be sure and stop by the booth for a visit. I hope to be there on Friday and Saturday.
Best wishes to all of you in the New Year….and Think Spring!
