Iced in - - Slowing Down - Realizing the Shift.

 Here in Appalachia Virginia - we had quite a bit of snow, then sleet.  Which turned all of the snow into blocks of ice.   Impossible for me to shovel.

My neighbors have been wonderful.

Last Monday and Tuesday I worked from home both days.

Then, my neighbor who has a 4WD truck would take me down the mountain in the early morning and drop me off at a convenient store on the highway.  Then my daughter, who works for the same company that I do, would pick me up.

We reversed this in the evenings so I was able to get to work from Wednesday through Friday.  

My little car is a Chevy Cruz and it is a front wheel drive, low to the ground.  

My neighbor did clear a path for me from my door to the dirt road (I've grown used to calling it a ice block road this week) and he turned my car around and moved it closer to the end of my driveway.

Still, there was no getting it out of this unplowed dirt road to one of the paved roads.

As the weekend approached, we got more snow.

I spent the weekend here at home.  My little granddaughter came over - her mom has a 4WD so she was able to get in and out of here.

I had high hopes of driving myself to work on Monday, but not happening yet.

We are supposed to warm up to the high thirties and low forties the rest of the week... so hope looms ahead.

Here are some photographs from the week.

Early morning peek out the window to see how much more snow we got.

This is the view from working from home at my dining room table.

The backyard.   Was so much prettier as we got more snow and it stuck to the trees.

A very cold day warmed by the glow of the sunset.

Sunday nights full moon.  Absolutely stunning!

The path my kind neighbor made for me

Early morning walk to get into the truck to go to work.

The bears should all be snuggling warm somewhere.. I hoped!

Being home most evenings and all weekend, naturally I was able to work on some doll clothes.

Journaling and some paper crafting as well.

Plus I did some laundry and stuff like that.

And in the midst of it all, February arrived!

I have three journaling challenges this month as well as reading challenges.

It's been a pretty boring week but yet, we always need the times to just breathe and let go of the fact that circumstances have forced us to slow down.

I have shifted in January.   Not gears.   Not priorities.  Not life.  

Shifted into acceptance.

Shifted into allowing myself to love myself.  Get to know myself.  Honor myself.

Sure, I still wish for love to find me.  I no longer have the desire within me to seek it out.  And certainly to never chase it again.

But at the same time, something I read once said.. Once you give up the desire to be loved, you will be free.  Because it is the last illusion.

So when I turn on the tea kettle after coming into a quiet house after a long day at work, when I pick up my phone to scroll, sip my tea... is it lonlieness?   Is it freedom?

I do not have that answer.  

I only know that this.   This life.   This place.   

This is where I am supposed to be.

Cheers y'all

Yep, hot cocoa and marshmallows again.

Thanks for stopping by.

Check out my YouTube channel and subscribe!  There will be more shorts uploaded this week.

Appalachia Whispering Horn

Frankie sends a hiya.