Day Six of Cabin Fever

 

Day Six of Cabin Fever

Day 6 of cabin fever. The streets in my subdivision still glisten with solid ice, a rutted milky white mess. I walk across my lawn without leaving any evidence. Its currently 6 degrees. My office—the Cafe at Hope Church—has been closed all week. I have been denied my coffee, Asiago cheese bagel, and all of my amazing Cafe peeps for a fortnight. 

Pam is thriving under these barbaric conditions. She drinks her hot chocolate, texts her friends, performs productive work on her computer and creates beautiful cross-stitch/crochet things while the Hallmark channel plays in the background. She wears warm sweaters and makes homemade soup for supper, perfectly and completely content. I stare out the window and come up with excuses for venturing out to “run errands”.

One such errand was to go next door to thank them for shoveling my sidewalk and driveway. As a “thank-you” I brought them a can of some “special chips” I had bought in Columbia that were gluten free and super delicious that I was sure they would love. When their youngest, Sully, eagerly opened them a giant coiled snake shot out of the can and across the room. Sully burst out laughing but her Mom ran from the room screaming. Good times!! Later they sent me a couple of videos of other family members who opening the can with similarly hilarious results. So, I’ve got that going for me.

I did manage to pick up my whimpy friend Tom from his house so we could have breakfast at Waffle House a couple days ago. And yesterday I did run by CVS for reasons that now escape me. While I was there I picked up some toiletries that I will no doubt have need of at some point in the future. I managed to drop by my old office where I enjoyed harassing them for thirty minutes or so. The other day I dragged Pam with me to have lunch at Los Panchos. Today I’m thinking maybe the house could use a complete and proper vacuuming.

I have managed to do my exercises every morning. I’ve also logged 24 miles on the stationary bike. Despite this I have gained even more weight, bringing my 2026 total weight gain to four pounds.

All the while an ominous weather forecast has been looming. Each day I wake up to learn the latest predictions. A week ago there was talk of up to a foot of new snow coming this weekend. A couple of days ago it had morphed into barely a dusting. This morning, the pendulum has swung back to impending doom.

My buddy from Maine texted me yesterday morning. I had been bemoaning the horrible weather we have experienced. He responded with, “We had 18 inches yesterday and this morning its -16.” There’s nothing worse than having a smart ass friend from Maine.

So today is another day. I am trying to wrangle a clandestine visit to the Cafe for an Asiago Cheese bagel. I’m willing to sign a waiver holding Hope harmless if I should end up ass-over-tea kettles walking across the parking lot. Sacrifices have to be made in this life.