The strange snow we had in December has pulled wires from fences, leaving them pretty ineffective for keeping critters in. Some of them even looked tangled – a definite hazard for the animals.

It’s also playing havoc with our “above ground” phone lines. Ever since a storm a year and a half ago, a quarter mile of phone line has been above ground on our road. Some of it is laying in the ditch, and some of it is draped between fence posts along with the barbed wire.

Do you think maybe someday Verizon will send a crew to dig in a new line? From what I’m hearing, the answer is no. At least not as long as this one will transmit a phone call at least part of the time. I’m tempted to order another line – just to see what happens. The repair men have told us that all the “pairs” on this line are either non-functional or in use.

I’m complaining – but I wouldn’t trade a good phone line, or high speed internet access, for life anywhere but here alongside my meadow…

Sunshine and Priest River snow

With highs today at 14, it would take a dedicated skiier, but I do believe they exist. Snowmobilers are probably also out there zooming around on this sunny Saturday.

For me, staying in and staying warm was fine – except for a quick trip out the door to snap a picture.

One of my followers on Twitter is Ski Idaho – looks like he’s busy keeping people up to date on conditions at ski resorts all over Idaho.

I don’t know his address, but if you come and follow me on Twitter, you’ll find him.

Also… while this really isn’t the prime time of year for house training new puppies, it’s a great time to consider adopting an adult dog (or cat) from a shelter. December is Home for the Holidays month at shelters across the U.S. – a time when all good dogs and cats have only asked Santa for a family to love them.

So… go visit my Doggie Blog. I’ve got a video posted there about Home for the Holidays. You’ll find it in the right hand sidebar.

Oh – one more thing. Now that you’re either a die hard outdoorsman or stuck in the house – it’s a fine time to think about writing that book you’ve been thinking about for the past ten years.

I know, you don’t know where to start, you’re not a great speller, you don’t really have time – all that stuff. That’s why I want to let you in on some good news. There’s a guy named Steve Manning who has written a step by step instruction guide for writing your book in just 14 days – even when you have to get out and go to work every day. I’ve read it, and if I quit writing articles long enough, I’m going to do it.

He helps you develop your ideas so quickly and easily that you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of this yourself. Anyway, he has a report that’s yours just for the asking.  So go here and get it. You have nothing to lose – and perhaps it will result in fame and fortune!

Priest River Hardwood Grill

Just a few days ago I cruised through town and snapped a photo of the newest business sign in town: The Hardwood Grill.

Today, the whole town was quiet – and the Hardwood Grill closed – as people stayed home and off the roads. Except for us, of course! Thank goodness for tall trucks and 4 wheel drive, because we had some things that needed to be done.

The main roads weren’t too bad. As long as you had good tires and kept a reasonable speed, they were fine. But the side roads that hadn’t been plowed were impassable for cars or short trucks.

Here’s a pic of my own truck as it sat outside my front door this morning – while the snow was still falling:

When I was silly enough to walk outside, the snow reached my knees – and I’m no shortie!

Snow at Priest River

They had either gone off to Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, or Sandpoint in search of Christmas sales… or they were staying home to throw another log on the fire.

I voted for the latter… going out only as long as necessary to bring in more wood and feed the horse. He thought everyone else had probably chosen that plan too, since the roads were both slick and bumpy with leftover ice chunks.

5 above during the night and a warm up to almost 11 degrees this afternoon. I’m giving thanks for my new wood stove – especially since the furnace seems to be out of order.

So, a little work for a client, a little brainstorming about how to generate funds for the Battered Mother’s Resource Fund, and a little shopping on line made for a good day at home.

And thinking of the Battered Mothers Fund… If you have a list you’re mailing to, or even a group of friends in your address book, I’d appreciate you helping spread the word about it, because it is in dire need.  The director of this non-profit has been paying most  the bills out of his own pocket, because most people just aren’t interested in helping battered women and children find a safe haven.

That was fine while he was working – but a heart attack and open heart surgery put a stop to that, and now the national hotline is in dire danger of being shut off.

Over the past 2 years, his group of volunteers has helped over 6,000 women across the U.S. find safe shelter where they could take their children with them. They maintain a nationwide database so it doesn’t matter if you call from Priest River or Miami – they’ll help find a safe house and help you get there.

Ten women in the U.S. lose their lives each day to domestic abuse. That makes me think the hotline is pretty important.

To learn more or to make a donation, please visit www.batteredmothers.com. Every single dollar is important to preserve this valuable resource.

Priest River snow

I’m not ready for this! And from what I saw on my way to and from town today, a whole lot of other people aren’t ready either.

I lost count of two things: the number of pickups (hunters) pulled off into side roads and wide spots, and the number of tire marks in the snow where people had gone off the road. Maybe they thought because it isn’t very deep yet, it doesn’t count?

On the hills, the tracks waving all over the road before leading into the ditch really made me wonder how fast those folks were going when they realized that snow is slippery!

Guess it wasn’t just here – this morning’s newspaper was full of reports of highway wrecks. Unfortunately, some of them fatal.

Slow down – watch out for drivers who don’t – be safe!