Ignoring The Barking Dogs: Cabin Fever Cured

Why the title?

"Pioneers take the arrows"

Oh, wait. I should be upbeat and taking arrows doesn't sound like an upbeat thing to say.

So, let me amend that statement.

It was courage and vision that led the pioneers to leave behind a comfortable, settled life and trek West to begin a new life in a new place. Many of those from the East that went West found a strength within themselves that they didn't see while they were in their old life. Instead of being one of those that just kind of went along with the others in the old life, they became leaders and visionaries in their new lives.

The sentiments of that last paragraph come from a favorite author, Louis L'Amour, in many of his books. So, I can't really say that it is an original thought from me. However, what he said is truthful.

Welcome to being a pioneer. Look ahead and ignore the "barking dogs" that give you negative opinions and comments. Louis L'Amour also spoke of the barking dogs.

In some of his stories, it was usually a father or older man telling a young boy how it was that when the Westward bound Conestoga wagons rolled through towns, the dogs came out to bark at them. His character then told the young listener that the barking didn't stop the wagons from going on to their destinations.

Following the advice of the Louis L'Amour characters, may we all forge ahead with our plans, after carefully considering all consequences and leave the "barkers" behind.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Cabin Fever Cured - And Then Some!

Starting last Monday night, we had a winter storm hit with blizzard conditions. While it was hard to tell, I think we got close to 8 inches of snow “on the level”, but with the wind, that was hard to tell. What we did have was a snow drift just outside our garage doors that was at least 3 feet high. For the benefit of being able to get out in an emergency, I went out Tuesday after the snowing stopped and shoveled out enough to be able to back our Mercury Mariner out and down the driveway.

Since that was about all I got out for, I developed a serious case of cabin fever. While I enjoy spending a lot of time at the computer researching things, I was pretty much getting stir-crazy. So the weekend hits and what do I do today? I get out and shovel the snow off of all of the double-wide, 100 foot plus driveway. Well, I guess I should mention that Jo helped….some. I had the big snow shovel and she used a regular flat-bladed shovel.

So, now as I sit here at the computer, enjoying the odor of BENGAY ointment wafting up from my back, I’m not trying to figure out what to write about. How do you write about something that you didn’t do?

After getting all the snow removed, we decided that we ought to go to town and get a few more groceries for the week. Mostly we needed something to use for “brown-bagging” to a church function tomorrow.

So, please allow me to also give a tip to those out there who just might not happen to know this little fact. Pardon the shouting: WHEN YOUR VEHICLE WIPER BLADES ARE FROZEN TO THE WINDSHIELD, DO NOT LIFT THEM UP. Let your defroster warm them up to the point that they can be just lifted up and allow you to scrape the ice off of the windshield.

Now, I have known this little tidbit for years because I have been a professional driver before. Unfortunately, I guess I never imparted that wisdom upon my wife, Jo. We left work the other day and while I was wiping off the accumulated snow off of the side and rear windows, Jo took care of the front windshield. We couldn’t find our ice scraper. Anyway, both wiper blades are now completely ruined and really worthless as wipers.

This is on a 2010 Mercury Mariner and they seem to be special (read VERY special) wiper blades. One individual in a parts store informed me that they are like $20 each. A second individual at another parts store couldn’t even find them listed on his computer. I think I feel WHIPPED UP ON!!!

We also went to Wal-Mart for the groceries we needed. Guess what? Another storm or two are forecasted for this next week. Guess how many people were in Wal-Mart? (Whatever you guessed, it had to be too low of a number.) I am beginning to believe that these city folks only buy enough groceries for a couple of days. (If you are a “city folk” this does NOT apply to you unless you live in Mustang, America.) Anyway, a little storm is forecast and they all go nuts!

I remember years ago that a young couple associated with our church returned from England with reports of their missionary work in that country. They spoke of how many of them over there didn’t have refrigerators, so they only bought enough food to last a couple of days. Then they would have to go back to the market to get enough for the next couple of days. However, I swear that I don’t know of ONE individual in Mustang, America that has a British accent.

It’s probably dumb people like the city folks that cause windshield wipers to cost $20 a piece.

I think it has been one of those days…..you know what I mean…..you know….things turn to….