Ice, Ice, Baby

There was ice this morning. The air is clear and cold. Ice covers the gravel roads and driveway, bright accents through the stark trees. This time of year, with all but all but the very most tenacious leaves now brown underfoot, the vistas take a dramatic change. Last night after the chipmonk left the deck as I watched the stars far above and the lights from Mt. Airey far below I felt suspended somewhere between heaven and earth. The ice on the slender lacey treetop branches frames the mountain top in silver. The road I thought parallel is far down the ridge. Sheds, barns, roads and fences make an appearance. My perceptions are changed by the changing of the seasons.

Now, back to the continuing saga of LOML and the insurance exam this episode entitled "Bumbling Bureaucrats" or "Moostly Squirrelly". You remember Monday last as Rocky and Bullwinkle were headed out the door on the way to the Whatsamatta U. insurance exam the phone rang:
"I'll get that, Bullwinkle"
They were canceling the exam due to the weather rescheduling our intrepid heroine (did I mention Rocky is in "drag"?) for Friday next.
"Uh' Rocky, you got fleas"?
"No, Bullwinkle, it's my happy dance".
(Have you ever read the autobiography of Ponsonby Britt? It's fantastic.)

Come Friday and love of my life is on the phone to the exam people in Bristol to see if they are giving the exam because the weather is once again funky and events seem to be following right along. They have no record of her being rescheduled. What's more she is listed as a no-show. And, oh boy Bullwinkle, the office that called and canceled on Monday last is closed on Fridays and will not reopen until Monday next. Fearless Leader had a hand in all of this! As we all know if one no-shows they forfeit the $69 fee Fearless Leader charges. One good thing, the company she's going to work for is being quite supportive.

We are off to Wal-mart for provisions. Coffee Crisis! I used the last of the Honduras Coffee Company blend this morning. Eight-o-Clock will do. Need some other stuff. Like ice cream and chips and chocolate. The roads are clearing and the sun is out and we're off to Mt. Airey via the Blue Ridge and then the Andy Griffith Parkways.

"Holy cow, Rocky, it sure will be nice to come home and we havn't even left yet".