South County News -- Christmas 2008:
December 2008 was like no other that Grumpy and the First Wife have experienced in the 55 years we have lived here. Oh, we have memories of worse snow storms -- we lived through the Great Dakota Blizzard of '49 "holed up" for two weeks in a 16 x 24 cabin with Grumpy's Dad & Mom and his younger sister, Hazel. The temperature at one time was recorded officially as 56 degrees below zero (minus 49 C). The wind was from the West Northwest, blowing at about 35 to 45 miles per hour. A snowfall of 4 to 5 feet was drifted into drifts at least 20 feet deep in places along the main highway.
But here in the marine climate of Western Washington, we have come to expect snow "once in awhile", but "it never stays"! (?!) This time, when the snow came on the 18th, son Darrell helped me shovel it out on the 18th so we had a nice, bare -- even dry by that afternoon -- driveway;
and came again the night of the 21st (Grumpy shoveled it out on the next day on the 22nd, here showing his fine form at the top of the driveway attacking the last bit of six-inch deep snow there);
and then, when this snowfall greeted Grumpy the early afternoon and evening of the 23rd, Grumpy decided to just let the Spring thaw take care of it!! Grumpy later cleared two tracks up which he could drive the car -- as long as it was wearing chains!
Nevertheless, Grumpy's brother Bob and wife Adelaide came to spend Christmas with us and this post describes how we "made do"!
First of all, Grumpy "let" Bob and Adelaide drive their rental car from the motel to a shopping area nearby where Grumpy, with chains on his car, was able to drive -- plow!! -- through the snowy side roads to give them a ride back to our house where we were able to visit and have a delicious Christmas feast prepared by the First Wife. Grumpy was extremely proud of his Bride in that she was able to innovate to make a roast chicken, originally intended for just two people, stretch to feed seven, with seconds available and cold roast chicken for sandwiches or another meal another day! [NOTE: Due to Grumpy's ancient and sometimes befuddled mind, no photos are available as witness to this festive occasion; the reader just has to take his word for it!]
Bob and Adelaide arrived in Seattle about mid-day on the 24th. The snow -- and threats of more! -- had caused the long-planned Christmas party at Ruth's to be cancelled.
Our first get-together was with son Jim and wife Theresa at their house on Christmas Eve. (Then a few days later, an impromptu lunch get-together at the Yankee Grill.) The Blief-able Family were at the Christmas Eve meeting. We were greeted with a feast of baked ham and all of the trimmin's, then all royally entertained by the Mermaids. [NOTE: With apologies, please see preceding note.]
Christmas morning found the youngest Grandson Ramiro opening his gifts and expressing great glee that "Santa" had remembered him despite his 13-year-old doubts. His apparent happiness in opening this wallet which he received, is due not to the presence of big money therein (there was none), but due to its "famous brand and desireable status".
The 28th found daughter Susan & Steven, with Granddaughter Rachel, coming down from Everett to have lunch with us and visit for awhile.
Finally, on the 30th, daughter Ruth came after her night shift at the hospital to have breakfast with us and visit until we also had lunch together. She and Uncle Bob discussed cardiovascular-health (wait until he gets his consulting bill!! Heh! heh!!) among other things.
So, despite the less-than-desirable weather, the Zimmerclan were able to survive and enjoy each other's company for another great Christmas celebration. All are safe and healthy with eager anticipation of another get-together "next Christmas"!
But here in the marine climate of Western Washington, we have come to expect snow "once in awhile", but "it never stays"! (?!) This time, when the snow came on the 18th, son Darrell helped me shovel it out on the 18th so we had a nice, bare -- even dry by that afternoon -- driveway;
and came again the night of the 21st (Grumpy shoveled it out on the next day on the 22nd, here showing his fine form at the top of the driveway attacking the last bit of six-inch deep snow there);
and then, when this snowfall greeted Grumpy the early afternoon and evening of the 23rd, Grumpy decided to just let the Spring thaw take care of it!! Grumpy later cleared two tracks up which he could drive the car -- as long as it was wearing chains!
Nevertheless, Grumpy's brother Bob and wife Adelaide came to spend Christmas with us and this post describes how we "made do"!
First of all, Grumpy "let" Bob and Adelaide drive their rental car from the motel to a shopping area nearby where Grumpy, with chains on his car, was able to drive -- plow!! -- through the snowy side roads to give them a ride back to our house where we were able to visit and have a delicious Christmas feast prepared by the First Wife. Grumpy was extremely proud of his Bride in that she was able to innovate to make a roast chicken, originally intended for just two people, stretch to feed seven, with seconds available and cold roast chicken for sandwiches or another meal another day! [NOTE: Due to Grumpy's ancient and sometimes befuddled mind, no photos are available as witness to this festive occasion; the reader just has to take his word for it!]Bob and Adelaide arrived in Seattle about mid-day on the 24th. The snow -- and threats of more! -- had caused the long-planned Christmas party at Ruth's to be cancelled.
Our first get-together was with son Jim and wife Theresa at their house on Christmas Eve. (Then a few days later, an impromptu lunch get-together at the Yankee Grill.) The Blief-able Family were at the Christmas Eve meeting. We were greeted with a feast of baked ham and all of the trimmin's, then all royally entertained by the Mermaids. [NOTE: With apologies, please see preceding note.]
Christmas morning found the youngest Grandson Ramiro opening his gifts and expressing great glee that "Santa" had remembered him despite his 13-year-old doubts. His apparent happiness in opening this wallet which he received, is due not to the presence of big money therein (there was none), but due to its "famous brand and desireable status".
The 28th found daughter Susan & Steven, with Granddaughter Rachel, coming down from Everett to have lunch with us and visit for awhile.
Finally, on the 30th, daughter Ruth came after her night shift at the hospital to have breakfast with us and visit until we also had lunch together. She and Uncle Bob discussed cardiovascular-health (wait until he gets his consulting bill!! Heh! heh!!) among other things.So, despite the less-than-desirable weather, the Zimmerclan were able to survive and enjoy each other's company for another great Christmas celebration. All are safe and healthy with eager anticipation of another get-together "next Christmas"!
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