ice

So many folks have written to inquire whether we are okay and I've had just moments on the computer since our power went out Sunday night. I'm having a moment right now at Kinko's/FedEx, so while a dozen Tulsans are glaring at me for hogging the computer, I am providing this brief update for those who are interested in our disaster. Sigh.

As a result of the ice storms which hit Oklahoma over the last weekend, we've sustained terrible damage to the trees around our house. The power, of course, is still off and we have no heat, but I am grieving the loss of the two beautiful river birch trees, my ancient pink dogwood, the old redbud on the south side of the house, my golden honeylocust, which provided such lovely shade in my living room, the bald cypress and a big chunk of my pecan. The sole, unscathed survivor is the black walnut, and I've never been particularly fond of it.

We finally got power at our local Kinko's/FedEx, so I'm trying to take care of some business stuff and it's WRETCHED because this is our busiest time of year and people are expecting their things and they don't give a shit that we're buried under ice. It is hard to run an internet company with no phone and no computer. Sick of my whining yet? Don't quit, because I'm about to start bitching about my hair.

This freezing rain crap sucks. It's just not cold enough to make real snow. We always hover right on the freezing rain temperature, whatever the hell that is, and then the ice starts to accumulate and everything's encased in an inch of crystal and then the trees start to fall. Tulsa is beautiful because it (used to have) has huge, old, gorgeous trees. Gone. It's awful and I'm so sorry to whine, but several of you have been asking and I have only another minute or two here before my fellow citizens begin beating me.

I was pretty perky for about four days, but I haven't been able to wash my hair all week and I really really NEED TO COLOR IT!!! and I am going to start screaming if I can't wash my hair and get rid of that little rim of gray there in the front that turns up without attention. I'm cold and old and pissed.

We have workmen in the neighborhood and if I can just GET SOME POWER and AT LEAST WASH MY HAIR!!! things will be a whole lot better. Fortunately, we've had enough candles so I can read. What a whiner. I can't shut up, but you're all fresh ears and we're all bitching at one another down here and no one wants to hear it anymore, so here you are if you're still reading. God, my hair!! Anyway, the candles . . . fortunately, I'd gone to the library on Saturday, so had a whole pile of good books, one of which was Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which I think was recommended by Mark and Rodger or TeddyBear.

I LOVE THAT BOOK! and have been inspired to garden like I used to. I was just making out my seed order when the lights went out, so I've been rereading portions of her book for inspiration and hoping each mail delivery brings some fresh seed catalogs.

Aside from that all is well but I HAVE TO WASH MY HAIR!!! I'm feeling pretty edgy about the hair thing and, well, I just have to wash my hair. If I can't wash it today I may have to be locked up. Shallow? You bet. Love to all of you.

Boot Camp continues

We were at last able to chip away enough ice to get a vehicle out of the driveway. Boot Camp continues with the elliptical, upper body workout and crunches.

Tony at EvilGanome wrote a marvelous post about working out, body image, mid-life changes. It's exceptionally well written and it's here in a post called Working Out. I love hearing the male perspective on body image and fitness, and his take is inspiring, funny, poignant. It's a great piece.

Another frigid day in Boot Camp

First, I must extend an apology to those who were adversely affected by Saturday's post. I realize it was out of the ordinary and not for the squeamish and possibly should have included a warning to that effect. It will be a while before I write about the others, so we're back to Boot Camp today.

Or what passes for Boot Camp. We have been iced in since Friday afternoon. We ventured forth on foot to the warehouse on Sunday, again yesterday, but it is like a skating rink out there and showing no signs of melting. The gym has been closed and the cars are stuck. We don't do slick down here because it so rarely happens. No snow plows, only a little salt and sand which sinks into the ice and vanishes with the slight melt, freezing again to create a perfectly slick, smooth surface for the next day.

I couldn't skate down to the shop scale this week so I used the one at the house and it looks like two pounds are gone. That's a wonder because this kind of weather makes me feel like a bear preparing for hibernation. What can we fucking eat next???

Hoping to dig out and get to the gym today. It's supposed to be two degrees, which is an absurd temperature. Crankiness and restlessness prevail at our house. No sign of it changing. How all of you northerners (normally) handle this kind of weather, I'll never know. I completely understand why women on the prairie went wild and axed their families into little pieces in winter.

Boot Camp, Ice Camp

Tiny little ice balls have been falling from the sky for 24 hours. Wet cold and gloomy skies make me want to eat stew, drink hot chocolate, peppered cornbread, cookies. There's something in me that wants to hibernate and shut down and pull the covers over my head when it gets this cold and we're trapped in the house.

Nevertheless, we slipped out to the gym and forged ahead with boot camp. Did an extra cardio workout to make up for the fact I'll probably not be able to get out again for the weekend. Have done something wretched to my knee, so did not do my lower body weights. Crunches. Ugh. Thirty of them.

Boot Camp Day 13 almost got away

Just to keep momentum, here to report that all went well at the gym, eating healthy, not enough water. Fuck! I feel like I'm drowning, and still not enough. Headache won't quit, worked too much, off to bed. It was fabulous reading the responses from yesterday and I am happy to know I'm not alone as there are so many like me.

My inspiration for that post, David, dropped by to say this, which just confirms that he is charming and sweet and good: . . . Third, I think I agree with your assessment that people are born with a certain temperment. While yours can lead to addiction, it also leads to an adventurous spirit and an ability to stand up to authority. While traditional vices hold little sway for me, I must be coaxed to draw outside the lines, take risks or challenge the status quo. I probably would have come out a decade earlier if I had your spirit.

I guess it's a trade-off. The grass is always greener, so revel in the gorgeous wild grassland of yourself and I will try and enjoy the meticulously manicured lawn of my own.

So there you go. All y'all vice-riddled sisters and brothers of mine, revel in your gorgeous wild selves; and the rest of you so admirably disciplined souls, enjoy your meticulously manicured wonderful lives.

Nighty night, folks. Ice is headed our way and the last time it hit us, we were without power for several days. We're tucking into our featherbeds and hoping it misses us.