Hello Gal Pals!
Winter 2025 will be one to remember and it’s not even over yet! I’m writing this as I look out my patio door at yet another snowfall AND and a flooded river that thankfully is making its way back down the bank, away from my house…but that’s a story for the next blog, so stay tuned!
Snow and floodwater!
January came in like a lion….accompanied by a saber-tooth tiger, grizzly bear, wolf pack, and possibly even Bigfoot! I found myself off-grid again again as a 4-day, 4-night power outage took place the first full week of the month.
Next best thing to a campfire!
I made the most of it, hanging out with my doggies, reading, cooking, writing (finished a new song!), watching the birds, enjoying the coziness of a warm fire, soft blanket, and hot chocolate, see video here: https://youtu.be/w3M84npp_lw …and using my new favorite gadget that really made a difference in the dark. See video here: https://youtu.be/Vwx_eMdR9OY
As careful as I am about things, I still made some foolish mistakes during this winter weather which included locking my keys up in a running vehicle, forgetting to secure food set outside to stay cold, and not having yet installed a carbon monoxide detector…which led to a true miracle you won’t believe! God was watching over us here at the ‘Shanty.’ See video here: https://youtu.be/I55I1SU0ezU
I love watching my birds
I planned to visit a regional outdoor show and do a little wintertime boondocking, but had to cancel due to my mother having an accident. She fell and had to be taken to the hospital, but thankfully didn’t break anything.
The ice pulled half the gutter off the front of my house, the propane wall unit that went out was not able to be fixed; as it would cost more to replace the part (if it could even be found since it is an older model), and what I thought was a dead battery in my little work vehicle turned out to be something much more serious…and costly!
Ice claimed the gutter at the ‘Shanty!’
However, through all of these hardships and aggravation, there were still blessings everywhere. It brought to mind 2022 when I lost my kitty cat, Bob and my oldest dog, Pepper. Even into the first part of 2023 when one thing after another went wrong; to the extent that I said out loud to God: “Am I being tested like Job?”
Struggles in life are real and sometimes they can be real hard, but what the past couple years and so many other adversities in my life have taught me is that if I can make it through that, I can make it through anything! Problems move us to depend on God, builds our strength and faith and reminds us that He is a God of restoration. You will never come in second if you always put God first and keep the right attitude. Job lost everything but ended up with twice as much as he had before. Job 42: 12-17
The Gal’s gourmet hot chocolate…and yes we are!
I was glad when January came to an end, but I had no idea what February was about to bring!
Until next time, remember….DON’T WAIT TO LIVE!
See ya down the road,
Cat