Everything Fred – Part 526

11 January 2024

It used to be that in the mornings, I would wake up, lie there for a minute, get up and get the day’s routine started. No more. I tend to luxuriate in the bed. For example, my phone told me it was time to take my meds at 6 am. I finally got out of bed around 8:30 and only dozed once during that time. Most of the time I didn’t even have my eyes open, I was just soaking up the goodness of lying in bed and thinking. Nothing deep, of course.

I’m not sure when this began to occur. Normally I’m bright eyed and bushy tailed in the mornings as opposed to my brother who looks like he’s been on an all night bender after he gets up. He staggers around until he’s found the coffee maker and after the second cup of coffee, he’s slightly more human.

I don’t think it’s the sheets nor the bed. I think it’s just the idea I can lie there and not do anything, doze back off if I like, and not be rushed to get up, and in this case, start the laundry.

When I finally do get out of bed, it’s more for the want of breakfast and coffee.

We have 70% chance of rain today and, of course, I added water to the pool yesterday. I checked before adding the water and no rain was in the forecast. At least if it does rain, I won’t have to add any for a while.

I’ve been reading where Oxford, Mississippi has received some snow. Snow is relatively rare in Mississippi but it does occur. As a freshman at Ole Miss, my bunk was right by the window and I stuck a thermometer in the window so I could check the outside temp every morning so I knew what to wear.

One morning in March, I checked the thermometer, and did a double take. There was about 6 inches of snow on the ground. They even had to cancel the Red and Blue football game that day.

Mississippi is more prone to ice storms than snow storms which are considerably worse. You can drive on snow but not ice. Trees and power lines would come crashing down from the weight of the ice. I’ve probably been in more ice storms growing up in the state than snow storms.

Two stick out in my mind. The first one was windy and rainy and cold. The trees all froze in a bended formation with ice crystals all over them. The second that stands out was coming back from Archie’s wedding. It started sleeting as soon as we left the church and we had miles to go. Dad got out and poured Coca Cola over the windshield because it was freezing over so fast. When we pulled in to my Grandmother Ruby’s drive, we had to leave the car about halfway down the drive because we couldn’t get any further up.

As I mentioned, today is washday which also means I strip the bed and put fresh sheets on the bed. That means I’ll luxuriate again tomorrow morning.

Stay tuned!