This recent purchase is getting a workout. It was a “mark down” at Walmart and I decided a valuable addition to my “stuff.” The $5.00 vacuum from CARE Thrift ‘n Gift Shop wasn’t very efficient. I’m tickled pink with this cordless Electrolux vacuum. Confession: This is the first time in many months with this much open space in living room/dining room/kitchen. Feels good!

“Seventy degrees by the weekend” was the parting comment by Houston TV meteorologist at 6:57 AM. Millions of people will be so grateful when the arctic temperatures are history. My propane tank is empty–so my trailer home lacks the comfortable warmth I enjoyed for a few days. As soon as I publish this message, I’ll wrap up in my Slanket and watch the NBC Today show. (Wearing a coat right now!!)

Washed those dishes last evening after water was restored. Shoulda put them away before taking the picture?! ~~ Only one electric appliance at a time: (1) Electric hot plate to heat water for coffee. (2) “Heat Strip” mounted in the air-conditioner but less effective during extremely cold weather. (In the past, I made the mistake of trying both… at the same time and tripped the breaker.)

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

In a few days, I may work in the yard and find sixty-nine degrees absolutely delightful?!

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TV meteorologist says this is coldest morning since January 8, 1996.  ~~ “Feels like”  in single digits?! This old lady shivers just watching friends and neighbors walking their dogs!! One humorous scene: Owner drives his golf cart while dog runs along beside. ~~ My water line is still frozen and I may be without water for a couple of days!! Because the trailer is under the roof, no sunshine to help thaw the hose.

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Grateful for hand sanitizer (from my purse).  When I was traveling… I had HandiWipes and “bath” wipes. I’m not prepared for this experience!! ~~ Plus another tidbit of information from TV meteorologist: “Wind chill, feels like”  is twelve degrees below number on thermometer.

Correction: I have an over-abundance of emergency supplies BUT they are unavailable in the frustrating jumble of possessions in the cargo trailer. This move has turned my life upside down!!

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I’ve been criticized… so this cartoon attracted my attention.

On “Better Late Than Never“  Monday evening (last night), Henry Winkler said “As you get older you can either push your boundaries or close yourself off.”  That quotation resonates with me because I must have subconsciously believed that during the four years I lived at the CARE Center.

First: Anything and everything I did, and said, at the CARE Center was meant for the health and well-being of all the residents. For the first-time reader (of my blog), I have practiced holistic health half my lifetime (forty-plus years). I’m a walking encyclopedia of information about health (and I have a library to back it up).

Second: I retired December 31, 1999 from Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Environmental Health. For ten years, I was secretary for supervisor and inspectors who inspected restaurants and markets. Obviously, I learned all the P’s & Q’s of kitchen sanitation and food preparation. (Granted, Polk County Texas does not have the same requirements.)

Third: For many years, I was a “Health Minister” with Hallelujah Acres. In Los Angeles County, in Lancaster California, I made presentations and demonstrated healthy food preparation. In 2006, I moved to Shelby, North Carolina where, as an employee (at Hallelujah Acres), I gained further knowledge and experience.

I repeat that my heartfelt desire was to share my information with staff and residents at the Escapees CARE Center.

In North Carolina, I began the (foreign to me) experience of “patio gardening.”  I experimented with veggies. At the CARE Center, I expanded my vegetable garden experience and created a blog message website devoted to that endeavor.

Back to the quotation: “As you get older you can either push your boundaries or close yourself off.”  It is impossible for me to “close [myself] off” because I’ve been a volunteer all my adult life. Everything from Sunday School teacher, Cub Scout Den Mother, Band Mother, Community Concert member and Board member, volunteer with Wycliff Bible Translators, volunteer with CARE prior to residency, etc., etc. I’ve been using computers for more than thirty years; I’ve researched, prepared and published two books; my stories appear in many genealogical publications. (Google search Lorraine Frantz Edwards.) I’m not a computer “geek” but able to help others if they encounter problems. I have prepared several websites.  After eviction, it’s obvious I was a “square peg”  that didn’t fit into the “round hole.”

I dislike “the perpendicular pronoun“  and apologize for its repetition in this message. I respect that my Heavenly Father created a unique individual–not someone stamped out with a  “cookie cutter.” 

“Treacherous” weather according to TV meteorologist. Houston NBC-TV had continual all-day coverage of weather and highway conditions.

Oh no, my water is frozen!! I was preoccupied with blog messages and did not have a trickle from the faucet. This is not good!! Our freezing temperature is due to continue for another thirty-six to forty-eight hours. This is Tuesday at seven PM. It never occurred to me to use precaution during the day.  ~~ Complacent; taking things for granted. ~~ Because my trailer is parked under a roof, my handyman, Jim, did not think my hose would freeze. Ironically, “electric” wrap for water hose is unavailable in the jumble of stuff in the cargo trailer.

Updates from my indoor/outdoor thermometer and TV meteorologist.

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The propane furnace is keeping my humble home warm.

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My furnace is being temperamental!! As you see, my trailer home isn’t warm this morning. However, I’m warming the area (partially) by simmering a ham bone to flavor “Fifteen Bean Soup.”  (Earlier picture of my reliable “space heater” doing a good job; I’m not suffering.)

By afternoon, it was pleasant enough to work in the yard–while doing laundry. Tomorrow will be another “deep freeze.”

Paddington is back in movie theaters. It provides the opportunity for me to post an earlier blog message (from January 2015). ~~ A little more information about Paddington Bear.

“Cold”  last night–and cold for the next several days. My propane furnace is keeping me “warm.” (I thought the “curious” faithful follower might like to know that fact.)