~ this calf stands out among the herd ~

Thurs 11 Jan 2007
3:52 p.m.

It looks "fine" out there, just fine! But I haven't been out yet. Too busy keeping the fire stoked — I hear it's about 40 below today. The buses didn't run, again, though the grader was out early enough for the grid road to be passable when Scott went to town. I kept my little ducks home for one more day and only one of them has complained about that.

Aside from a two-hour power outage this morning due to a power-pole fire somewhere in the area, the day has been pleasantly uneventful.

Wed 9 Jan 2007
6:42 p.m.

What! Past 6:30 already! I've been working at the computer for a couple hours, so the time has flown by.

I did manage to peek through the window at the storm covering the entire province of Saskatchewan, and got a photo of our driveway. Our yard is well treed but just a few feet away, out on the road, visibility is zero.

The schoolbuses didn't run this morning so the boys have been home all day. That's always a treat for me. I got a batch of bread made, and some fagioli soup for supper.

A woman and child have been reported frozen to death north of Lloyminster after they had a road accident last night and walked away from their vehicle. Their bodies were found this morning. This is very dangerous weather. Near Edmonton, a woman has been found frozen just 500 metres from her vehicle. Alberta had this blizzard yesterday.

How quickly and unexpectedly our lives can end.

At our house, with no place to go today, we have hunkered down until it's safe to venture beyond the yard. Scott had to go out and look after cattle, and came in with a pretty cold face. Fortunately the beasts have all been moved to home pastures so Scott didn't have to go far.