No, I am not actually snowed in, but it feels like it. Now do not get me wrong. I do not mind being home. I like the feeling of being in a safe place.

Years ago, I told my minister that I would not be in church if I was not sure I could get back home. He was not impressed. Later that year when he had to come to my house, he admitted that now he understood. I live on a hill. In fact, no matter which way I go, the last stretch is uphill.

The first time I got stuck was years ago. I tried to get home but a telephone truck was stuck on the hill and I could not get around it. I turned around on the hill and went to park in my neighbor’s driveway. I walked up the hill and my husband brought the car home later.

The second time was not so long ago. Don and I were coming home. Once again something was stuck on the hill. We did not even try to get up. We went back down the road and came up the other direction thus making it home safely.

Once upon a time traffic was light when we had a big snowfall. The children used to ride their sleds to the barn. That would not be possible today. There is too much traffic on our road. We walked it all the time, too. Now I no longer walk the road. It is too dangerous. I would not be able to get out of the road in case someone was coming.

I really like being able to be home all day. In the years that I went to work that was not possible. If school was open, I was there.

When I subbed, I did not get paid for one day when the children were sent home early. I called to see what happened. They told me they did not think I was there. I asked who they thought was in the classroom until the children were dismissed. I got paid.

When I am home these days, I find a lot of stuff to do. Usually, I can be found in the kitchen either cooking or baking. Although I live alone, I do a lot of cooking. I share it with my children and my neighbors. I enjoy cooking and baking. Yesterday I made a loaf of bread in my bread maker. I used a recipe provided by one of my readers last year. I enjoyed the Limpa bread.

Since it is January, I have also been shredding documents. I need to get the files cleaned out to be ready when things for 2025 come in. So far so good. In the past I have clogged up my shredder and had to get it going again. When it was stuck, I went to bed thinking about it. The thought came for me to use water. I unplugged the device, then unclogged it by dissolving the paper that was stuck. When it dried out, it worked.

The television and my Kindle are my friends when I am stuck at home. I read on the Kindle as well as play some games. It is increasingly hard to find something good to watch on television. Although I have hundreds of channels, the selection of mainstream television is not what I like. I do enjoy football, basketball, and hockey games. At least they are fresh.

When Don was around, we watched a lot of sports. I liked hockey but he complained that he could never tell where the puck was. Once we bought a larger television he no longer complained. He was able to see.

I am also privileged to have visits from my children and grandchildren. My son visits early in the day since he knows I get up early. His sister comes later to help me with my cleaning duties. The grandson usually plans to be here to eat lunch with me. They always let me know when they are coming.

A big thank you to my son for removing my Christmas tree and bringing in my lamp. My son-in-law provided transportation to my appointment to get my hair done. I told him to let his wife know that the tree she helped me put up was back out in the garage.

Some people have a hard time staying at home. That is not the case for me. I guess you could call me a homebody!

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell. Contact her at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.