Not bad, not at all bad.

I was able to stay awake all day. I was quite tempted to return to bed at about 13:00. The church meeting was coming up, and though I was really tired, I had to try and make it. I have not missed a meeting yet, if I was tardy. I am working very hard to be a man of my word, what do I have to lose but a little sleep I will be getting soon enough anyway? I get in the shower, then drive to McDonalds for a quick small meal, then make it to the meeting in plenty of time. I forgot my daily missal though. I am hoping a Sister who oversees some of the affairs of our group will show me how to use it. Next time, if I remember then? After making sure the group would go on, I started some coffee. The Sister had asked that I do this from now on, and seeing as I enjoy a cup of coffee flavored coffee now and again (thanks Billiam, seriously, he hooked me up to coffee flavored coffee, if with a little help from his friends), I also enjoy making the brew for the others and myself.

The meeting ends up being short as the weather has turned sour, we find ourselves in the middle of a snow storm. I cannot swear to the amount of snow, but all said and done, I would guess we received at least 3 inches of the white fluff by the time I get home, an hour and a half from when the snow started. After returning home at 16:00 or so, I start the snow blower and hit the circuit. I do the usual three driveways, and a goodly length of sidewalk in all directions. I then retire to my cave to await the dinner hour. Goofing on the computer and just trying to stay awake, actually.

At 18:00, the appointed time for the meal, I dress and walk over to the neighbors. I go around the back of my garage, as in the interim between removing snow, waiting, and then leaving again, a great deal more snow has fallen. I do not have time to take care of icy snowprints from my boots, so I take that back way. I feel bad about leaving tracks at the neighbors (and my freshly cleared then refilled work), so I grab their shovel and clear a simple path, again but by hand this time. I then knock and am invited in.

It is always pleasant to visit that family. Conversation is good, and usually I am not too offensive. It is sort of like this blog though. I probably seem more offensive online, in this blog, because there is no context for the reader. There is no clue as to when I am in a rage, laughing at you, them, or myself, of just tweaking your trim feathers. My lack of social graces can break the silence like a chainsaw. They are quite gracious, and I hope, take things I say which might seem offensive with grains of salt and fair rebuttal or query. The conversation winds around from politics to books, music, to their family, and all of the little bits of life which we remember and care to share. Of course, without other affairs, these conversations could meander through nearly all things and for days. This is a great pleasure, and I do believe it is mutual.

Dinner is placed on the table as we finish our first rounds of conversation, and what a dinner! I am not sure what the main course would be named, only that it really was a mixed seafood and cheese treat. The fish was done perfectly, the scallops done just right, and the blend of all the ingredients was very good. Then there was a green bean salad, with chunks of cheese, a spice and oil blend, and small halved tomatoes. The salad had the added benefit of being spring like, thus a treat. Then a serving of fresh cut pineapple and bananas was served, again, hearkening to warmer times, pleasantly. For a final treat, we were offered a chocolate fondue setting, with finger graham type crackers, marshmallows, and bananas. We were given wooden skewers to poke and dip the various treats in the chocolate. Then an interesting accident occurred, by which the pineapple became dipped in chocolate, reinvigorating interest in the game, and so another round of gorging ensued. All the while, conversation was passed and parsed. Thoughts flowed, and each had their turn to add to a discussion, change the direction of the talk, or just listen. Quite pleasant, it was, in spite of my being totally exhausted. I just hope I did not let on, or that they thought I was less than chipper for any reason other than just being very tired.

A few things done, and enjoyed. A day awake, well past what I might have thought possible. Even a decent amount of snow blowing, not bad. I will have to blow the snow again tomorrow, in the two hours between returning home and visiting the neighbors for their dinner invitation, it snowed about 3 more inches, at least. I can say I have a reason to get going tomorrow. They need me. Ha Oh, I know this is not great writing, but it is as much as I can muster this moment. I just felt impelled to spit out the last of my day, as I gasp for sleep.

Good night.