Monday, January 26

Only thirteen of us showed up for water aerobics this morning. I'm not sure why so many wimped out today. The morning was cold, but there was no wind, so going and coming from the gym wasn't intolerable. I wanted to go this morning, because predictions are that we'll have ice storms the next couple of days, and the pool will probably be closed Wednesday.

Story from the pool: when I remarked that our neighbor across the street had been robbed Saturday night, one of the ladies said that a few years ago, while she and her husband were out of town for 24 hours, someone broke into their home and stole their silverware, plus family heirloom antique furniture, lamps, etc. She was philosophical about it, though, saying, "it was only stuff." She was grateful they were not at home to possibly be harmed by the thieves.

Another lady relayed a cute story: she mentioned that she is currently working on a 1,000- piece jigsaw puzzle that is very difficult, and reminded her of another 1,000-piece puzzle completed a few years ago. She said the puzzle had been an anniversary gift to her some 20 years before, but she had displayed it, unopened on a shelf, until one day she decided to try to put it together.

The picture was of a black cat on a floral background, and it was frustrating to work. For a year, she and others who visited her home worked on the puzzle. Finally, it was completed, but was missing one black piece.

The company who produced the puzzle guaranteed that if a puzzle piece was missing, it would be replaced. So she wrote the company, but got her letter back telling her the company had gone out of business.

So she decided to make a piece for the puzzle. She cut out a piece of cardboard to fit the shape needed, and then diligently searched through slick magazines to find just the right shiny black hue to glue onto the piece. She matched it nearly perfectly, framed the puzzle, and hung it.

After another year had passed, she decided to get rid of the futon in the den where the puzzle had been completed. When she moved it, out fell the puzzle piece. Now she wanted to replace the homemade black piece with the real one, but it was tricky, because she'd done such a good job making a piece that she had trouble locating it in the puzzle.

But she did finally find the homemade piece, remove it, and put the real one in. She was so excited that she called her sister. Her sister was not home, so she left a message that she should call back, because, "I have wonderful news." When her sister called back, her disappointed response was, "That's the wonderful news??"

I told the lady that this is the best jigsaw puzzle story I've ever heard, and I couldn't wait to tell Mother, who is an avid jigsaw puzzle fan.

Later, after I got ready for the day, Hubbie and I went to the WDCS to get the requisite bread, milk, and other essentials for winter-storm weather, when we might not be able to get to a grocery store for a whole day or two.

While we were gone, Mother started two pots of 11-bean soup simmering. After lunch, Mother made greeting cards, while I finished the article about the lady who got a novel published, and Hubbie did paperwork.

For supper, we had braised pork chops, baked potatoes, and leftover shrimp pasta...a rather peculiar combination, but it was good.

After supper, I decided I should make corn chowder for tomorrow night's supper. Mother insisted on chopping potatoes, onions, and celery for it before she went home. I wanted to get the chowder cooked tonight, in case the ice storm knocks out the electricity tomorrow. We can heat food on the gas stove in the camper, but I don't want to do full-fledged cooking out there.

Mother baked a batch of banana muffins today, using a new recipe I found in a magazine. We'll have those with the soup tomorrow night.

Hubbie spent today making sure the propane tanks for the camper were filled, and that there is ample water drawn (we have well water, and the well pump won't work without electricity). He also loaded the fireplace with wood, and made sure there are batteries in the radio.

So if the winter storm knocks out the power, we are as prepared as we can be.

For the rest of evening, Hubbie and I relaxed in front of TV.