COLD AGAIN!

Fortunately, I know better than to remove the electric blanket before June. It’s back to my winter uniform, probably for the rest of the week, if not longer.

Monday (April 15) was a stressful day. We had a phone conference with the prosecuting attorney regarding their investigation of Milo’s homicide. They say that they want to be sure of a thorough investigation and that it’s going to take time. Well, I don't see the prosecuting attorney as a friend, so for me, it just renewed the grief, remorse, and regret.

Also on Monday, the appliance store called to say they could deliver our new stove and washer to the farmhouse the next day (Tuesday the 16^th). Well, we hadn’t planned to go, but we certainly wanted the delivery, so we agreed. The change in plans seemed to add to the stress of the day.

So, Tuesday morning, just as we were ready to leave for the farm, I noticed a headline in my email announcing that Hwy 12 was closed because of a wreck. We took Hwy 95 instead, and this proved difficult as well because of another closure. We had to backtrack several miles. Oh well. We weren't lost, and we made it to the farm.

“It’s cold up here,” said Mike. It’s always cooler at elevation, but for us, the change was profound. It was 80+ in town over the weekend, and now it was 44 at the farm.

Mike fixed the faucet at the kitchen sink before beginning the outdoor work. We traveled in the old truck carrying a load of horse manure, and Mike offloaded it near the raised beds. Then he mowed the lawn. Surprisingly, the grass had grown significantly since our visit two weeks ago.

Old Kenmore range

I prepped the old stove for removal. Then I poisoned gopher holes, watered the rhubarb plants, etc.

Largent’s arrived at 2:40 with the new appliances. Out with the old, in with the new. It didn’t take long. Mike connected the gas line to the new stove and installed the burner grates.

New Frigidaire range

Suddenly it was time to leave. The wind was blowing and white stuff swirled around as we rushed to finish last minute chores. The delivery guys reported that Hwy 12 was open to one-lane traffic, so we decided to return by that route. Unfortunately, we (the westbound traffic) had to wait 20 minutes, and Mike counted 105 eastbound vehicles waiting their chance to go.

Whirlpool washer

[An article in the Lewiston Tribune (April 17) reports that an eastbound Dodge Ram crossed the center line and collided with a semitruck just after 7:00 a.m. Tuesday. Both drivers were taken to hospitals. The accident was a mile west of Myrtle. The semitruck was still in the ditch as we returned to town.] KW