Do you know that sharp gravel that you can buy by the truck load? For the drive. The lane. The track. Men buy it because the bashed up rock wants to snap back together and form a pointy barbed stony mat. Women would rather buy the soft rounded stones that are gentle on bare summer feet. Anyway you know those sharp nasty stones well, yesterday they were falling out of the sky in the form of little rain icicles, on and off all day.
And they pack down just the same, forming a mat of ice. very unsettling. I found myself shuffling with flat feet, skidding, with tiny infant-class skating movements. 
And then it rained. And then ice fell. Then it rained then more ice. Rinse and repeat. 
The temperature stood at the cusp of freezing – allowing the rain, then freezing it as it fell. Rain. Ice. Rain. Ice.
Of course my little cooking oil car (that cannot run on cooking oil in the winter as it will go quite solid in the tank) is not allowed out on icy days. In fact it would not even get out of the garage it was so slick out there. So I was marooned on my unsteady feet.
With this lot. Have you ever seen such a naughty cat.
They are getting wilder. I am afraid for the upholstery.
I would throw them both outside but Our John has decreed that Marmalade should be an Inside Cat. Tell that to the cat, I said, as he ambushed the opening door. Of course once Our John has left for work we all do whatever we want!
We don’t have a Christmas tree this year. We have a Christmas OWL. I will show him to you tomorrow… remind me. You know who he is.
My view through the window yesterday. All ice.
Are you awake? Are you awake, yet? Are you awake, now? Boo has an extraordinary ability for sleep.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Your friend
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
66 responses to “Frozen rain falls like sharp stones”
Morning Celi,
My thoughts were with you all day yesterday ~ kept telling Jerry I should drive over and help Celi.
I waslso worried about you in the cold rainy weather possibly reinjuring your back. Looks like little Marmalade is keeping her best Buddy BooBoo entertained! I’d probably wouldn’t get any work done being with those two!! I think you better keep those two in the house this winter ~ lots of laughs watching those two!!! Also ~ was good of you to tell us about Jade missing in Germany or France ~ yes ~ you will miss Kupa ~ but at least we know he is in peace ~ but that has to be absolutely horrible what Jade’s parents are going thru every day. I’m saying my daily prayers for Jade.
Take care Ms Celi ~ Carol
A mothers nightmare.. yes.. c
We have 3 cats who are now all grown up so we no longer get the naughty times but having just acquired 2 puppies they sure do make up for it.i did not realise how peaceful our house was until those pups arrived..now its chaos .
it sure does look cold with those great icicles…Linda who lives in Colorado also has ice and icicles so maybe you two ard not so far apart.
Take care when going outside..no more slipping over.xxxxxx
Linda and I are miles apart but I desperately want to go and visit her one day, I shall pop over and see her ice. TWO puppies .. oh dear.. you will have your hands full.. c
OH! YES!! Do come! Misswhiplash can come also! If you get here I will take you dipping in the hot water at Ouray and for a ride on Grand Mesa. We can sit by the fire in the winter or outside in the summer.
You are most welcome!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
¸.•*¨*•♪♫♫♪Merry Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥
˜”*°•.˜”*°•.˜”*°•.★★.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜”
You can say that again!!!!!!!
Afternoon Miss , have you got or could you get some Crampons – the ones that you slip and fix around your boots. I find them invaluable when I’m in the land of snow (aka the Alps) – they stop me skidding and sliding my way into oblivion and broken bones – I manage to break the bones on skis 🙂 Seriously when I did bust my shoulder I used the crampons all the time – gave me stability and confidence to get out and about. Oh and they make a ridiculous sound when worn indoors – a bit like the sound of hockey boots 🙂
Ah! Viv has sent me a link already to get some.. you two are thinking the same thing.. I remember the sound of hockey boots on the floor!!
I thought that would resonate with you. If you can’t get them let me know as its easy for me ….
Aw Cooter, bless his heart. The cold must be hard on his old joints. I see the feet of your Christmas owl. I think we’re going to end up with a Chirstmas box-of-wrapping-paper.
we are having a very small christmas day this year.. nice too.. c
Lovely, charming varied photos as usual! It took me a second to figure out that the eye was Big Dog. My first thought was–it’s a pigeon. Maybe because of his coloring. Of course now that I look again it’s obvious. I love the red branches, so beautiful against the white and gray.
I wish I could remember where each of the fellowship lives so I’d know what the significance of their weather is.
Celi, I’m with John on the Marmalade, but if he has to go out–I have the same problem with Arthur and get the evil eye from the vet for allowing him out–I hope Boo and he are joined at the hip and Boo never lets him out of his sight.
ha C. I’m not sure what “puggy” is but I like that word…can I use it in exchange for wonky? which is another favorite word of mine but I’m afraid I’m wearing it out… 🙂 Icy rain or rainy ice…don’t like the sound of either one of those! All I can say about that is brrrrrrrr and more brrrrrrr, expecially when you have to be out working in it! Yes, please be careful until you get your crampons…maybe you could slip some very large old socks on over your boots?? No? Well, then beeee careful darlink!
And omg….you must love watching those two play…do they chase each other through the house and make little growling noices when they wrestle?…..TOOO Cute!!
Being an OWL lover, I am looking forward to your post tomorrow!
Ooh, I LOVE owls.. you know I just have that one that kept the birds off of my blackberries this summer. I don’t remember if I told you, after my fearless owl was attacked by a real barred owl one night and left perched askew on his post, FD did some bobble head surgery and righted his ill-cocked head. I’m housing him in the storage building over the winter (perhaps he’ll scare mice!). I’m excited about an owl post. Goody, goody, goody!
Never a dull moment with Marmalade around. I love your photos Celi! I always feel like I’m right there on your farmie. Keep toasty and warm if you can!
I do enjoy each Boo/Marmelade fix! He is going to need to curtail sleep a bit, though, in order to carry out his companion/slave functions!
That is great weather to be out of and not out in.
Sounds like really treacherous cold! You have quite an indoor circus going on to entertain you though. I’m out on the west coast; just posted a summer solstice image on my blog. Maybe it will melt some cold places for you:
http://www.seasonalinspiration.blogspot.com
Stay warm, darling friend. I wish I could send you a little of our summer, and a naughty cocktail.. xxx
We got a bit of your ice/sleet in Iowa, that was topped by about 6 inches of snow overnight. Now the temperature is falling rapidly, and the wind is picking up. At least it was mostly still and a bit warmer when I spent 2+ hours clearing the drive & sidewalk. I managed to get the remains of Friday’s ice cleared off while I was at it 🙂
Now to prep the house a bit more for the expected cold. The low tonight is predicted to be 0*F, and tomorrow night is supposed to be down to -15*F! Time to break out the sheet foam insulation for the windows that don’t have other coverings. It makes it a bit darker in the house, but quite a bit warmer 🙂
Stay warm!
I can see how cold there… Stay indoors and warm… How I missed your beautiful photographs from your world. They are so lovely, Blessing and Happiness to you ALL and sure, Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday, Thank you, love, nia
Glad you stayed upright! Thank you for more photos of boo the wonderdog and marmy. Love them to pieces. Also big dog looks so cute in his blankey. 🙂 Hopefully now the ice will start to melt.
Marmalade is your triumph. Thank you for sharing him with us. He makes me smile every time!