JUST THINK, IN LESS THAN A MONTH WE WILL HAVE CROCUS FLOWERS BLOOMING

 I WAS IN DESPERATE NEED TO FIND SOME COLOR FOR MY CAMERA TODAY

Despite all the dire weather warnings Wednesday, we got off relatively lucky in our area, and aside from big winds, the predicted storm either missed us and went inland or didn't much happen at all.  In William Shakespeare's words, 'It Was Much Ado About Nothing'.

 WE HAD A LITE DUSTING OF SNOW OVERNIGHT

 HERE'S KELLY THIS MORNING OUT IN THE FEEZING COLD TOPPING UP THE BIRD FEEDERS

Before going to bed last night I felt like The Wreck Of The Old 97. (Hank Snow) and when I woke up this morning I felt like The Wabash Cannonball. (Boxcar Willie) It always amazes me what a good night's sleep can do for a feller.

 LOW ON PHOTOS AGAIN I SAT IN MY SUNROOM RECLINER AND SNAPPED A FEW PICS AROUND ME AND THIS IS THE CHAP WHO USED TO TRAVEL IN OUR RV WITH US

 FROM MY RECLINER I CAN REACH OUT AND TOUCH THIS FELLOW'S CHIN

It was way too cold and windy outside today with a temperature of 21F and and a wind chill factor of 7F.  Had it not been that severe I would have been outside for a walk in our driveway.  With additional exercises to do from Russett Physio a couple days ago and my hospital physio exercises from a couple weeks ago it is quite a little exercise program I have for myself.  I am determined to get myself back onto my own two feet just as quickly as I can.

It's 16 days out from my surgery now and I am at the point I no longer need my 'grabber pick-up stick' to assist with putting my underwear or pants on but still have to use a plastic sock device to get a sock on my right foot.  (whenever I wear socks that is)  And, I can 'carefully' bend over far enough now to finally tickle Pheebs tummy.  That takes place about half a dozen times a day.  Leaning and bending forward far enough in a chair to give her hugs, snuggles, and nose smooches is no longer a problem either.  And, here's how I had the 'walking with a cane' thing all wrong.  With my right leg being the compromised one I always walked with the cane in my right hand.  Physio said no, it's the other way around.  Cane in left hand and lead with your right foot.  By golly, she was right but it takes me a bit of getting used to.  So, it's right foot and left cane forward at the same time, and then swing your good left leg through and plant your foot ahead of the cane and repeat.  I've been doing this for a couple days now and it works fine except I can feel it in my left arm and with my 'duck walk' I keep stubbing my left foot toes into the cane.  Until the muscles adjust and strengthen in my left arm I will probably remain a tad on the wobbly side while walking.  Have I had any falls since hip surgery??  No, but I did have a couple short but quickly recovered stumbles.  Both stumbles were my own fault and no damage was done except to my pride of course.

 I SEE WE HAVE A LITTLE SPRING CLEAN UP JOB HERE

 BELIEVE IT OR NOT BUT THIS IS AN AMBER GLASS BEAVER SITTING ON A WINDOW SILL

My good buddy Richard phoned today and he is picking me up in the morning for one of our good old country road coffee and muffins tour.  Good stuff:)) 

 WE HAVE A FEW GREEN PLANTS IN THE SUNROOM BUT NOTHING LIKE THE TROPICAL JUNGLE WE HAD GROWING WHEN WE LIVED IN THE OLD WEENIE ROAST RANCH NEAR FULLARTON ONTARIO

 SUNSHINE ON PHEEBS AND THE SUNROOM FLOOR LATE THIS AFTERNOON

Much nicer weather with sunshine and warmer temperatures are due to roll into our area tomorrow. (Friday) And looking ahead at the 14 day forecast I see no daytime temperatures below or near freezing.  And, a number of those 14 days are showing sunshine.  Just think, in less than a month we should have Crocus flowers blooming and if it wasn't for a leap day this year it would already be March 1st today.  Ahhhh, something to look forward to next year already eh.  Oh, and we ended our day under partially sunny skies and slowly rising temperatures this afternoon.  Yep, I'm feeling good.

 SUNSHINE THIS AFTERNOON

 BLUE SKIES:)))))))

A Blast From Our Past:: A kind of another enjoyable ordinary day at our Congress Arizona house eleven years ago at this time......Wheelbarrow Fixed & I Am Back In Business

Al's Music Box:)) Our Winter Love by the Letterman.  The song was an instrumental composition by Johnny Cowell, which was a hit single for Bill Pursell. Pursell's version was recorded in 1966.  The Lettermen released their version, with lyrics written by Bob Tubert.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( The photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of an enormous forest fire. Smoke at the scene was too thick to get any good shots, so he frantically called his home office to hire a plane.  "It will be waiting for you at the airport!" he was assured by his editor.  As soon as he got to the small, rural airport, sure enough, a plane was warming up near the runway. He jumped in with his equipment and yelled, "Let's go! Let's go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air.  "Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make three or four low-level passes."  "Why?" asked the pilot.  "Because I'm going to take pictures! I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures!" said the photographer with great exasperation and impatience.  After a long pause, the pilot said, "You mean you're not the instructor?" 

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One Sunday a pastor told the congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider giving a little extra in the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns.
After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he'd like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate.  A very quiet, elderly and saintly lady all the way in the back shyly raised her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked her to pick out three hymns.  Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three most handsome men in the building and said, "I'll take him and him and him."
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