The aftermath of storm

We are still digging out from the aftermath of the storm of 2008 and apparently this century, according the weather service records. The roofing scam artists are about, and construction companies that didn't exist two months ago are working at top speed. The damage to homes has been compounded by the bitter, bitter cold of the last week. Night temperature at 9 or lower and barely into the 20s during the day. We are all looking for the heat way of this weekend when we are supposed to hit the mid 30s. There is nothing but snow and ice on the roadways and only sidewalks with sunshine are clean and safe for walking.

We eat in the TV room with the door closed to keep in the heat. My feet are perpetually cold, unless I am in bed with my electric mattress cover and heating pad. I have given up swimming for the duration (but not exercise) until the weather is a bit warmer. Facing the pool at 6:00 a.m. was more than I could manage. But, when the heat of our normal winter 30-40 degrees returns, I shall return to the pool.

I did training with friend Connie Pirtle last week in Trout Lake, WA. Across the river from Hood River, OR. It was a clear day with feet and feet of snow outside the windows of a K-12 small town school. A group of AmeriCorps members who are off to environmental organization in the Columbia Gorge area and Mt. Hood Natl. Forest. We took a trip to the mountain for lunch at Timberline Lodge. We left in the middle of a raging storm. Connie and Nancy have a better picture of what happens when they go look for lost skiers. Floyd's actually skied the slopes and it was no big surprize.