A storm moved into the area yesterday afternoon, finally; after being touted as a severe blizzard, it became perhaps 6" of driving, blinding snow in late afternoon.  It was beautiful to watch from the safety of home, but the roads were terrible and there were many accidents.  The wind continued to howl all night, but this morning, there was bright sunshine, a dead battery, and snowblowing to do.  The birds are feeding happily on the many kinds of food set out for them.  Tonight, cold temps, well below zero, are predicted.  C'mon, March!  There isn't much to report indoors, just continuing to cope with evening headaches that are very intense. 

Going for afternoon walks with the dogs.  Taking care of some sort of skin infection on the sled dog, Arnie, who is responding well to a bathing of warm water laced with tea tree oil and boric acid powder dissolved in.  Then a topical applicant of Quadricept ointment.  It seems to relieve the problem completely, and he looks at me very appreciatively.  I hope this works.  I'm also giving him one pill of black walnut hull in the evening to settle any parasites he may have internally.  I believe that when he farts badly, that it means there is internal parasites, and that has mostly gone away after just one pill.  One more pill tonight should eliminate any remaining bugs.  I don't want to give him more, because it can cause diarhhea, which would be even worse, I think.  For me, at least. 

Pepper seems to be all right, as usual, but sometimes she exhibits a little stiffness or lameness.  That could be from just lying around all winter, not getting enough exercise.  She bugs me every day to go for a walk, which is good for me, too.  She may be a little overweight, too.  I keep saying, she's not fat, she's just fluffy.  Arnie now goes for a walk with us.  He certainly loves his doghouse that I made for him.  We keep adding new straw for his enjoyment, and he luxuriates in it.  And my chicken is just a little butterball, who lets me know what she wants.  If her water is empty or frozen, she goes over to it, and pecks at it.  So I get her some water and pour it in, then watch as she drinks it, beak by beakful. 

Hoo boy! if it wasn't for my critters, what would I do?  The occasional visit with/from my kids, watching tv, reading, cleaning here and there, working a puzzle, cooking, bird watching, going for a walk....I am constantly amazed by how simple and serene my life really is.  If this is old age, then I guess it was worth the struggle to get here.  And believe it or not, I am still jerking into awareness of how it used to be, wondering what I should be doing right now, imperatively.  Can't think of anything.  The one thing I wish is that I was closer to my daughter, so I could be of more help to her with her multiple sclerosis problems.  She is between neurologists right now, as the old one left, and a new one is coming.