Thursday

Well I was awake early for some unknown reason but still managed to stay between the flannel sheets until 7:30. I was awakened several times during the night with rain dripping onto the tin roof from the bump out of the upstairs bathroom. It was cold outside with temps just about 40 degrees when I checked about 7:30 and the wind was blowing a soft rain about. Your breath was very visible. We decided that since the weather was not looking good today that we would head to Galax, Va. to do the last bit of shopping before heading to Florida on Monday. So I gassed up at $2.58 per gallon before we headed to Wal-Mart. I had the truck serviced while we shopped and then we had lunch at Subway which is inside Wal-Mart. After keeping our shopping to just what we would need for the next couple days we headed over to the old area of Galax to a local grocery store where we found our buckwheat pancake mix. We bought the biggest bag they sold as it will be many months before we get back to Galax.

Our next stop was to fill up another 20 pound propane cylinder just in case the snow which is in the forecast turns out to be more severe than forecasted. This little gas heater has done a remarkable job with keeping the cabin warm and snug. The next 2 days will see temps for the high at around 32 degrees and the lows down into the low 20's, yikes us snowbirds aren't use to those temps even in the dead of winter in Florida. It's kind of exciting with the threat of a winter storm dropping a couple inches of the white stuff on the ground and we are hoping for a little so we can take pictures and even sled ride down the driveway.

After rain fell for most of the day; on our way home we encountered a little sunshine as the skies began to clear and the wind began to increase. It was still in the low 40's and very damp but since we hadn't done much for this day physically we decide to dress warmly and head off to the top of the mountain. As we walked along the back road we could hear the roar of the wind as it topped the mountain top and the sound was very noticeable. We saw no one to speak to, so except for the wind roaring and a few specks of ice crystals on our clothing the hike was uneventful. We were both dressed for Artic weather.

I came back and dug up a couple plants in hopes they will live once I replant them in the warm earth in Florida next week. I dug up a couple green pepper plants and a couple basil plants and put them in the basement along with what few seedlings I have left. I took 5 gallon buckets and covered a couple more herbs before cutting the last of the Swiss chard and kale. I pulled about a dozen small beets so Nancy could boil them for supper along with the sauteed greens and a pork chop. Good wholesome comfort food and we licked the plates clean.

Well not much else is going on except staying close to the heater and watching the temps head south to the freezing levels. LATER