It's Starting to Act Like Winter

Christmas light are going up, the temperatures are falling... and as of yesterday, so is the snow. I was able to get up this morning and go start up the snow blower and take it for a walk up and down the driveway before driving down to the local store to pick up the Sunday newspaper. The roads are snow coated with a layer of ice underneath the snow, which I found out about when I turned left onto the main road and had the back end of our car slide a little bit. This is a little different than "normal" when it comes to driving conditions.

The photo here is from a house in Boise that must personally keep the electric company in business every December. The photo was taken with my Blackberry, so it wasn't the greatest to start with... but the whole yard, house and roof are covered with lights and decorations. It's truly an exercise in visual excess that has to be seen in person to be appreciated!

The volume of mail is down this year; either people are late in mailing or they're just not sending out as much "stuff" this year. The package volume has been down, and (so far) the amount of Christmas cards just doesn't seem to be as high as in years past.

Next week it looks like it's going to be cold here (in the 20 degree F. range for a high), and the chance of snow will be here each and every day. I might have to quit wearing my postal shorts and put the long pants on! This (mid-December) is probably the longest I've ever worn the shorts -- it usually gets too cold for my liking in early November. Interested in what the Boise weather will be like? I use the Weather Underground for answers to that question!

Valerie's grandmother was hospitalized for observation after apparently having a "mini-stroke", also known as a Transient Ischecmic Attack. According to the American Heart Association's website, " a TIA is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke." You might want to read more about the subject at their website. At last word she is okay, and has been deemed fit to return home. My own mother had a series of these several years ago while living in Arizona.

That seems to be all the new and exciting information I have to rattle off about this week. My year of "blogging" is almost up, and I'm looking forward to not having to try and remember my "once a week posting" pledge!