Preparing for Another Arctic Blast

Dear Katalusis readers,

It's 9:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, and I've just checked out today's weather forecast for Saint Paul, Minn. The current temperature is 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The National Weather Service warns of 3 to 5 inches of snow with 20-25 miles per hour winds, “which could cause some blowing and drifting snow as well.”

The report also mentioned the advent of an Arctic blast later on in the week. A native of Ohio, a state that boasts a more moderate climate, I've been a resident of Minn. for many years; however, I've still not fully adapted to predictions for “Arctic blasts.” And I've learned from experience not to tempt fate by hitting the roads in bad weather.

After reviewing the latest forecast and still in my long flannel nightgown, I ventured forth to the kitchen and checked out my supplies; three loaves of bread and lots of peanut butter and jelly, the makings for Sloppy Joes, several frozen dinners, sandwiches, etc., plus a dozen oranges and some cubed muskmelon. I'll survive for a few days, I concluded.

My physical well being assured during this latest winter advisory in Minnesota, I noted that I had on hand a couple of volumes of Reader's Digest's Select Editions that I grabbed from my apartment building's library; Select Editions offers some good stories, welcome relief for us reader types, when illness or bad weather prevents us from getting to the neighborhood library or the local bookstore.

Assured of enough food and reading material for the week, I can now relax and appreciate the fact that I've got a darned good excuse to stay home and indulge my appetite for Sloppy Joes and reading for entertainment, not self improvement - intellectually or otherwise - as is often my habit.

Losing my checkbook on New Year's weekend

So a couple of days ago, I reached into my purse to get my checkbook. Not there. A mild state of panic ensued. Where could I have left it? I searched my apartment and used a flashlight to thoroughly search my car. My checkbook was not to be found. And yes, I even checked my purse again two or three times

I called my bank and reported the loss. The bank put a hold on my account, so no one who found my checkbook could forge a check from it. Nevertheless, my nervous system remained activated as I searched the most unlikely places for this record of my bank account information along with several blank checks. Thinking it may have fallen to the floor, I even looked behind my desk and behind the nightstand next to my bed as well. No luck.

This is no way to start a new year, I lamented to myself – my anxiety was rapidly including a lot of self pity. Still, I chose to handle the crisis alone rather than contact family or friends for moral support – why disturb them on a holiday weekend, I thought. It was New Year's Eve when I compulsively looked through my purse again – and there it was, concealed behind an envelope I'd picked up in my mail the other day – “Thank God!” I exclaimed aloud.

It was late evening when I sat down at my kitchen table and enjoyed a glass of wine to celebrate finding my checkbook and the fast approaching new year. And indeed I'm feeling relaxed and happy this morning at 9:36 a.m. on January 1, 2019.