Freezing rain came down heavily Friday night.  My inclination was to stay in with my dog and my remote.

I had to muster all my will just to bundle up at 10:00, get India to stand still while I threaded her harness link through her pink jacket’s eyelet, leash her up and lead her downstairs for our nightly walk.

On our first step outside, she stopped and stood motionless on the cement landing and looked at me with her dark Spoodle eyes, as if saying,

“You’ve got to be kidding!”

From having run through this scenario more than once, I know snow or extreme cold is bearable for her, but not a frigid-to-the-bone soaking.

After a few minutes of this standoff, knowing that she was not going to trot down to the sidewalk for even a short walk, I led her back upstairs to our home and watched her run the back of her neck over my area rugs in an attempt to dry off.

I decided to hope her young bladder would be able to hold things in for the night and gave up trying to honor our routine.

Yes, the weather was nasty, nasty, nasty.

The next morning, I thought several new Great Lakes formed on my block.  With sewer covers clogged with leaves, rain water, unable to drain, pooled to significant depths at most corners. I contemplated how much snow I’d be shoveling if the temperature was just a few degrees colder.

Not super treacherous to travel, still, between uncertain forecasts and slick surfaces, it seemed to be understood that if you didn’t have to go somewhere, you wouldn’t.  After eating breakfast out with a friend, I guessed most of the weekend would be spent cleaning, writing, and watching football on TV.

This turned out to be the case.

What makes it possible to stay in all weekend, or relish a snow day or sick day?

I had to give some credit to my usually over-looked kitchen appliances.

Of course, there are services for food delivery, but this often involves expense, inconsistent delivery timing, and delayed gratification.

I had to consider how nice it was that I can stay in my jammies (or lounge pants) all day, and, upon any hunger pang or craving, reach into my freezer and pull out a container of lentil soup (I made an especially good batch just before Christmas).

My butcher makes these wonderful stuffed chicken breasts (with spinach and gruyere and breadcrumbs). I try to keep a couple in my freezer at all times.

And I’ll often put away a couple pints of the holy trinity of Cajun cooking; chopped celery and bell pepper and onion. I can whip up a decent version of red beans and rice with what I have in my cupboard and freezer.

I’ll usually have cubes of chicken or strips top sirloin ready for an easy stir fry.

What a way to relieve myself of a burden.  What’s the use of staying in to remove yourself from stressors if you have to work to ensure the basics of comfort.

Having a freezer — what a simple luxury!

To be able to eat a fresh, home-cooked meal without shopping or chopping, when I’m observing a self-care day is no small thing.