The Fever

Cottage Fever

Cottage fever is exactly like cabin fever. You get it in February, sometimes sooner, depending on how much the winter has kept you inside.
.You don’t have a real fever, but there are a lot of other symptoms: the doldrums, depressed, anxious, short-tempered and down right crabby.
Even the animals are tired of being pent-up. The Lab and Tabby usually get along. They run after each other, tease, and play with the same ball of yarn. They sleep together and drink out of the same water bowl.
But lately, the Tabby has become aggressive and big dog thinks I can save him by climbing on my chair. (With me in it.)
When it’s time to go outside, he has to be pushed. Seconds later, he is barking, "Let me in. It ‘s cold out here."
I open the door for the cat. She stares me down. Finally, she lifts one paw, shakes it as if she is scolding me. I didn’t bring this weather... and under the table she goes, leaving me to shiver by the open door. They make me so mad! Because it’s February and I am downright crabby.
All I want to do is go outside– do the things I can’t do right now. Like my son said, "I feel like mowing the lawn." And I feel like planting my tomatoes.
That "ain’t gonna" happen for awhile. I need to find something to do inside: like clean out the closet, wash all the bedding, read a book, write some letters. But I don’t FEEL like doing any of those things.
Maybe I could get a few columns ahead . (I must be hallucinating.)
I pace. To the back door, look out. To the front door, look out. There’s the lake, or where it was the last time I could see anything. Out the front there is a huge snow pile. I think it’s my car-the plow’s favorite place to dump.
We have Wisconsin’s record snowfall of all time. I thought, "Be careful what you wish for."
It wasn’t exactly a wish, but there were several conversations in the past when comments were made on the mild winters we have had. I had to pop up with saying winters aren’t like they used to be.
Snow was several feet deep. Below zero temperatures were the norm We didn’t care. We snowmobiles, skied, sledded, snow-shoed, got outside and enjoyed the winter. This winter is like the winters I remember and enjoyed years ago.
Things are different now. The difference is me. My feet have been cold since Thanksgiving. Inside the warm mittens, my fingers are still frozen. Cold air settles on my shoulders like it lived there.
It is time for me to enjoy the winter vicariously. Let others enjoy the winter fun.
I will deal with The Fever. Maybe I’ll look at the seed catalogs, and order my tomatoes. .
If you, too, have Cabin Fever, just remember, March is not far away.
While snowbound, I got even more hooked on the cooking channel. This is from Semi-home Made with Sandra Lee. One of her grandmother’s favorites. I love old recipes. This calls for a crock-pot. (Or as they are called today, a slow-cooker)
Spoon Cake
you will need:
a medium-size crock-pot, sprayed with cooking spray
paper towel
Spice cake mix
One small instant butterscotch pudding
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup oil
1 cup water
1 package shredded carrots
1/4 cup raisins (optional)
4 beaten eggs.
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, except carrots and raisins
stir in carrots and raisins
pour into greased crock pot
cover pot with paper towel before putting lid on (to keep moisture off of the cake)
cook on low 4-6 hours
when done
spoon into bowls and serve with ice cream and/or whipped cream
Enjoy