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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
I am SO excited to see sunshine! Obviously, I’m writing this Tuesday because Monday was still dreary. It’s one thing to have cool/cold weather, but it’s something else to throw in rain and clouds with it! Probably many of you are also glad to see the change – temporary though it may be – so we can get a few outside tasks taken care of.
Living in Rockford has been a major change for me. For almost 25 years I had lived in the woods with neighbors only visible when the leaves were all down in the winter. There was no traffic, no street lights, no need for curtains – just quiet and isolation. I loved it. But I knew it was time to be closer to civilization after being there alone for the last almost five years.
As much as I miss my woods, I am learning to really like being so close to people and places! I can walk anywhere I need to go – except maybe Dollar General! While I am writing this I am watching a handsome cardinal in the tree outside my window, and I just know it’s my Larry or another angel watching over me!
For any of you who also live alone, enjoy your solitude but also make yourself spend time with family and friends. If you are struggling with the loss of a loved one during this holiday season, reach out to me. We have a Sunago Group – meaning “to gather together, assemble, or bring together” – who meet a couple of times a month to help us work through our grief and changes in lifestyles.
Our group is from all over Coosa County, and we support each other in adjusting to our needs. It is not a therapy group, but just talking with others who understand what you are dealing with helps so much. We can lean on each other if we need help just to talk, or if we need someone to do work at our house, or if we need a referral for things breaking down.
We DO NOT RECRUIT new members – no one really wants to be a member. But we welcome anyone who is experiencing the same journey we find ourselves on. We meet at Rockford Baptist and will be meeting next Thursday at 3 p.m.
It looks like we might be in for a real winter this year. The northern part of the country is already facing below freezing temperatures and snow. We don’t usually get much in the way of winter weather, but it seems to have started a little early. But it might be 85 degrees by next week – who knows!
I lived in Tampa for several years when I was younger, and we generally slept through winter, just like we did fall and spring. There was one season called summer with humid heat. There was also no change in color of the trees – they were always green! New Year’s Day could be celebrated laying out by the pool or at the beach getting a tan. I came back to Alabama and never looked back!
Don’t get me wrong. Florida is a great state with much to see and do. And winter is a GREAT time to visit to avoid the heat and humidity! For the most part, unless there is an unusual storm, you can also count on Gulf Shores and the Panhandle of Florida to have comfortable weather during the winter months. But if you are like me and want to experience all four of God’s seasons, maybe going north, east, or west is a good idea during the winter.
We have really needed the rain, but I’m hoping it will stay away for a bit. Of course, if the rain leaves we will need to be concerned about fires again. We also need to be on watch and prepared for any other type of unusual weather.
Are you prepared if the power goes out because of wind or cut lines? What will you do for heat or cooking? And we never know when we will be hit by tornadoes or ice storms. Investigate if there are any shelters in your area and know where they are before you actually need them.
I hope there will at least be sunshine tomorrow (Saturday) so the Rockford Christmas activities can be enjoyed. From what I understand the vendors may be set up in the Event Center instead of along Main Street. The lights are up or are being put up and really are pretty.
I haven’t been up to Goodwater or Kellyton, but I’m guessing they are dressing up, too. Thank your town councils for the work they do year-round to try to make your towns a warm and inviting place to be.
Have a wonderful week, and we’ll talk again next week!
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