Susan Says . . .

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

— We had a snow on Christmas Eve and another the first weekend of January but it turns out those were just trial runs for this week’s big snowfall. As the saying goes, “You ain’t seen nuthin’ yet!” (although as a former English teacher it’s painful to see words like “ain’t” and “nuthin” in print). This week’s snowfall was even deeper, stacking up seven or eight inches and drifting even higher in places. Once again it was preceded by an evening of freezing rain but fortunately we escaped without any power outages. Country roads are still slippery though so the kids are getting some more unscheduled vacation days.

The week started off with some disagreeable weather with blustery winds Monday morning and a few snow flurries around noon. Tuesday was not much better, another windy day when Jim dressed in coveralls and warm gloves and the new scarf and glove set I received for Christmas was really a welcome gift.

Niece Laura came in Wednesday morning and soon we had a visit from a social worker with suggestions for Mama’s care. When she left Laura helped me by buttering and warming some rolls. I took them, picked up a neighbor and went to the Senior Center for our monthly J.G.T. Club meeting. We had an interesting program and delicious potluck meal.

Thursday was another gloomy, cloudy day. Our editor called to say he had some work for me so when Jim came in that afternoon I went to the office for an hour. We received a call saying our evening meeting had been canceled so I made a cup of Red Zinger tea sweetened with honey and settled down to listen to the Razorback basketball game.

The streets and sidewalks were coated with ice Friday morning and the boss called to tell me, “Don’t even think about coming in.” Snow fell most of the day and the fluffy blanket grew deeper and deeper. Jim shoveled the sidewalk, cleared off the car in early afternoon and ventured out for about an hour and a half. Not long after he returned the car was covered again.

The snow had ended by Saturday and temperatures climbed enough that there was a little melting.

Frozen fog covered the windshield Sunday morning when Jim went out to get the paper so he reluctantly changed his plans to go out for breakfast. A friend called to confirm the cancellation and Nancy called a few hours later too. We had a brief visit from nephew Dustan’s wife Cecile and spent the afternoon watching golf and college basketball games. We listened to the rescheduled Hogs hoops game that evening.

This Friday, February 5, is National Wear Red Day. Remember to wear red to call attention to the fact that heart disease is women’s No. 1 killer. In fact, a woman dies about every minute from cardiovascular disease. Women are urged to say “No” to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and lack of exercise. Talk to your doctor about personal risk factors and how to reduce them. Donate to fund vital research, educational efforts and programs to help defeat this serious disease. The American Heart Association says, “Wear Red and Speak Up!”

Susan writes about Gravette and her family in The News Herald every week.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 02/03/2010