Groundhog Day

“You can't stop the future

You can't rewind the past

The only way to learn the secret

...is to press play.” -Jay Asher

Since I can never remember which way the prediction is supposed to work nor would I trust a rodent as a meteorologist, I'll just accept however long winter lasts. Plus, today is my Younger Daughter's 33rd birthday which trumps this ridiculous holiday. YD is a traveler, an adventurer, an athlete, a musician, a hiker and a fellow lover of the Great British Baking Show. She's also given me (and still gives me) more gray hair than I could ever write about on this blog. And like Groundhog Day, the joys and disappointments of parenting adult children seem to repeat ad infinitum.

Yesterday I was in danger from Older Daughter's cat Ziggy, who climbed up my pants (ouch!) to get some of the bacon from my breakfast sandwich. After that, I decided to give him some at a distance! Babysitting 2 1/2-month-old Grandson was fantastic; he's responsive and full of smiles and coos these days. His cheeks are so big and round, very kissable. His favorites: crinkly things, the recipe book cabinet in the kitchen (lots of black and white), loving talk in a high-pitched voice and his absolute favorite: breast-feeding. It's going to be wrenching for his mother (and him) when she has to go back to work in a few weeks. :( Later in the afternoon Older Grandson got home from "school," and I played with him. He'd informed his whole daycare that Mémé was at his house since he was apparently excited to have a 66-year-old playmate! At 2 1/2 his language abilities continue to impress me; he can count up to 30, spell his name, recognize letters and remembers everything we tell him. Sometimes, unfortunately. 

I've had a couple people wonder why I live where I do, under the shadow of an active volcano and with the threat of a devastating earthquake. Because it's home? Washington is a beautiful place with mountains, rivers, the ocean, moderate temperatures, and a gorgeous summer. I question why others would stay in areas where there are yearly and destructive tornadoes, hurricanes, or floods. I feel great concern for states that are running out of water yet still building houses, WTH? I worry the most about California's drought since they supply a great majority of our food. Many Washingtonians are like me; we have preparedness kits like these bags full of supplies in case of emergency. The metal item on the top is a wind-up radio. 

Water is an important commodity. 

Behind this water are two large plastic containers of canned goods, including cat food. Although much of it expired a few years ago, Dr. Google tells me that canned food is good forever; the quality may not be the best, but it doesn't go bad unless the can is dented or otherwise damaged. Now I hope I never need to use any of these items! 

But it's always a possibility. 

 

Comments

[Robin]

Hi Margaret, beautiful photo of your daughter! Glad you had such fun babysitting with your littles.
Many years ago when we lived in Nova Scotia we had a hurricane then a tremendous blizzard go through within a few months of each other. First thing we purchased afterwards was a generator. Now like you I keep a stockpile of canned foods. Flashlights both windup and battery and the same of radios. We have had to use the generator a few times since moving back to Ontario. Well worth the $1000.00 in piece of mind.
Take care!❤️

[Annie Herzog]

Hi Margaret! If those two grandsons are near by, I'd stay near an active volcano too! Two great ages. I have one grandson and he is my biggest joy since he came into the world seven years ago! Ally Bean sent me. Nice to meet you!
Annie

[Pixie]

How long do women get for mat leave in the US? Here it's 12-18 months. When my son was born, I went back when he was five weeks old, I needed the money. By the time he was four months old, I was going to college full-time. It just seems too soon. He needs his mama.

We're supposed to have a preparedness kit but I can't be bothered. Nothing much happens here, other than wildfires which you usually know are coming. Have I mentioned I'm lazy?

Happy birthday to your daughter.

[AC]

There are not too many environments without pitfalls. Ours is winter; fortunately it doesn't matter to me too much.

[DrumMajor Linda in Kansas]

Hope the mountain behaves, along with the offspring. I thought just dogs liked bacon. At a pond, I saw geese walking on water today. It looked really funny, but the ice at the center of the pond was just softening, and the perimeter of the pond had already melted, so the geese were sitting in the water. Linda in Kansas

[Ed]

Living under the shadow of a volcano sounds like paradise compared to living next door to Russia.

[Luftmentsch]

As I told you the other day, I'm glad not to live near an active volcano, much as I like mountains!

Canned food... on Tuesday a can of pickled cucumber at the food bank where I volunteer turned out to be badly dented and actually leaking brine all over my gloves -- thankfully issued by the food bank and not my usual gloves!

[Catalyst]

That beautiful mountain would never do anything as bad as Mt. Saint Helens, would it?

[Matt]

Happy birthday to the YD.
I was living in North Dakota when Mt St Helens erupted and we got ash all the way out there.
Glad to hear how much fun you are having with the grandsons around. What a joy it must be.
I should really do a better job of having some supplies on hand since we do live near the Yellowstone caldera but I figure if that goes off, it will not matter how much stuff I have because we are done.
And on that uplifting note, take care.

[Joanne Noragon]

Ohio has always seemed a decent place to live. Tornados are no worse than eruptions. Our farmland is decent and we have quite the supply of water! Every state has its pro and cons.

[Susan]

You live in a beautiful state and I could live there in a heartbeat. Your preparedness kit is impressive. Does public safety provide guidelines for if and when an eruption takes place? A friend lived near a nuclear power plant in Seabrook, NH and they defined escape routes. Ziggy's keen interest in bacon surprises me. I wish A a very happy birthday...may 2023 bring her much joy and happiness.

[Musings]

You’re reminding me that I need to check our hurricane supplies. I guess we all have worries of weather or other disasters no matter where we live.

Is it just the younger children that want to break the mold and take risks? At least that’s the case at our house too.

[Maureen]

I wish my emergency kit were as well stocked as yours. Today as our temps head to the negative numbers, I'm eyeing my very small supply of firewood. YD always looks so happy out in nature!

[Doug M]

How did I miss this one? Your emergency supplies, very interesting and surprising. I had no idea! And Margaret that photo of your daughter.. she is too cool! Really, very nice. 🙂👍

[Ally Bean]

You are prepared. Were you a Girl Scout? Seems like I remember being taught to do what you've done but considering there aren't any volcanoes nearby I never have.

[Anne@HeadFullofBooks]

I just finished reading THE ROAD today. Such a devastating and bleak story but it got me thinking about unprepared we are for any emergency.

[Susan Scott]

Ally Bean sent me! Gorgeous pics. Yes, I would risk living where you do if I could see my grandchildren. I have one ... just turned one. Such a joy.

[Steve]

When I lived in Florida I used to keep emergency supplies in case of hurricanes. I'd rotate out the canned food and water to keep it fresh. (Or somewhat fresh!) Fortunately I never needed them in the 34 years I lived there!

[Pam Donaldson]

Goodness, that supply cupboard is a bit alarming! I hope you never need to use it. Happily in Scotland we don't have anything particularly extreme, or not at the moment. Bit of rain, bit of wind, bit of sun. Lots of road works and stupid things done by the city council.

Hope things are working out better than you feared. Life is not for the fainthearted. xx

[StoicWannabe]

Canned food is usually good for a very long time. I think my mom is still living off her Y2K stash she canned! I am concerned about the drought and the general state of the environment, but feel helpless.