DEEP FREEZE - Segment 4 (Scroll down for previous segments)     

     
     After a little more chatter, we all sat down to eat.  Dinner was filled with reminiscing and laughter.  While eating, Ginger noticed one of our windows.  “Oh, Connie, I love what you’ve done to your windows,” she said.  “Those ornate etchings are simply beautiful.  How did you do it?”

     “I didn’t,” answered Connie.  “It’s frost.”

    “Inside?” quizzed Ginger.

    “Why do you think Connie told us to finish eating before the food freezes,” said Butch in amusement. 

    

     After dinner, we spent more time visiting around the woodstove.  “I can see why this woodstove is such a great gathering place,” said Butch.  “I can feel the ice flow in my veins starting to break up.” 

     As we warmed, we continued talking into the late evening until it was time for bed.  

 

    “Go ahead and take our room,” Connie told Ginger.  “It has a warm waterbed.”  There was no argument.

    “I was prepared to offer anything, even our children, just for a warm blanket,” said Butch.

     Everyone laughed as we reluctantly left our spot near the woodstove.  

    

     It wasn’t long before we heard the voice of Butch.  “I know this sounds silly,” he said, “but why is a deer hanging in the utility?” 

     “We kept running into him in the living room,” I answered.    “Besides, he didn’t go with the furniture.” 

     “That’s too bad,” said Butch.  “He would have been a nice conversation piece.”

     “My good friend, Fred got him while hunting a couple weeks ago.   He said the temperature inside the house was the ideal temperature for hanging a deer.  So I told him to dress it out, and he could hang it here.” 

     “I like the way he dressed it out,” said Butch.  “The pull-over sweater and khaki pants go very well together.  I think it’s the first time I’ve seen khaki pants with four legs.  

  

     “My wife did that,” I said.  “She thought the deer would look better if it were fully dressed.  I think she’s going to decorate it with Christmas lights and hang it by the front window if Fred doesn’t pick it up soon.” 

    “I don’t mind the deer,” said Butch.  “But if I see his breath, I’m going hunting.”

     After a final laugh, we turned out the lights and went to sleep. 

     During the night...