Winters Cold

Cullman,   AL

This month has been exceptionally cold not only here in Alabama but throughout most of the country.   Some days here in Cullman it never got above 20 and at nights down to 5.   Oh how we look forward to Spring.

But there were rays on sunshine. 

First rays were visits for four days of my daughter Terri and son-in-law Steve.

And grandson Justin

They flew into Birmingham airport from Harrisburg, PA.   We picked them up at the airport and after unpacking, four of us went to the local Logans for dinner and then to Len's sons Lennie's where Terri and Justin met our new daughter-in-law Lois.    Steve was under the weather with exhaustion and a cold having played in his band the night before and getting less than two hours of sleep.  He stayed at the house hoping he would feel better the next day.

The next day was again very cold.  We went to the local attraction Clarkson Covered Bridge.  That was about it for the day.   Other things we wanted to do but with  the extreme cold...... guess those things will have to wait.   Unfortunately Steve was still ill.   However, I had made arrangements for soap making class at my friend Stephanies.   So the next day Terri, Justin and I made soap.

We each made 12 cakes of soap.    Mine is the brown one.  The scent is Hazelnut.  Terri's is the green and white with a more outdoor woodsy scent.  Justin made the white cakes and actually smell like coffee and has spent coffee grounds in it.

All too soon it was time from them the return to Pennsylvania.

A few days later my sister and her grandson Lance came for 4 day visit.  They live in NJ but Debbie has two sons and their families that live in Wytheville, VA.   Their homes in VA are half way between here and NJ.   So Debbie and Lance spent a few days in VA, then drove to Alabama for a few days and then back to VA for a few days.

One day we drove up to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.  They were having their annual Crane festival.   It was cold walking around but not unbearable.

Cranes must really like this place. There were 100's. Sand Hill cranes  (and ducks and geese).

And one of the two resident Whooping Cranes

Another day we went to Ava Maria Grotto.   The go-to place when we have visitors.


We haven't done much since our visitors have left.   I've had a cough for close to two weeks.  It seems to be getting better.  But I feel really good.  (Except when coughing).  Len has been down a bit with cold or flu symptoms.    He too has a cough but also a low fever, headache and no energy.  But he too is on the mend.   As it is supposed to get in the 60's tomorrow and it is his birthday..... time to get well!

Until next time.