A few of the things Flossie does not like

Hi neighbors. Thursday night my friend Flossie called me to see if I was home. Now, Flossie never calls ahead of time. She usually just walks into the kitchen demanding coffee and cake.

Thursday though, she explained she did not want to venture out into the frigid air unless she knew ahead of time that I would be there to offer coffee and some hot air to defrost her nose and toes.

I turned up my furnace in anticipation of her arrival. Unlike many people I am not optimistic about spring weather. I never turn off the pilot light on the furnace until I've had to turn on the air conditioner at least three times. So far it's been just once.

She walked in dressed in a parka, a scarf, a hat and mittens and boots. I have known Flossie too long to comment.

"Coffee's just done," I said and helped her start shaking off layers of outdoor winter clothing.

"I need an electric blanket for tonight," she said, stepping out of her boots. She always buys large boots for a "better grip" and so she can wear a pair of house shoes in them. She left the house shoes on, grabbed a cup of coffee and shuffled into the front room to stand on the furnace vent.

"I knew you'd have your furnace still lit. I turned mine off a week ago when I opened the windows one afternoon."

I handed her a sofa throw blanket and said, "Sorry the house is cold, Flossie. I just got home from work and turned up the heat."

With the small blanket wrapped around her shoulders like a shawl, she sat down, sipped some coffee, leaned back and sighed. "I hate cold."

I sat in my chair, sipped my own coffee and nodded my head in agreement. When you don't know where Flossie is going, you just stay off to the side till she hits her stride, then try to keep up.

"As I get older," (oh boy! I thought) "I find myself not hating a lot of things." She smiled in anticipation, smacked her lips and commenced. "I don't like the cost of watching free TV stations. Do you remember when you had an antenna on your roof?"

I nodded again, smiling. "Remember how many times we fell off the roof trying to turn it to get a station?"

She actually giggled. "Yep. There were only two stations to pick from! NBC and CBS -- ABC wasn't invented yet."

She leaned back and frowned. "Cable, digital or dish are all over $75 a month for the expanded pack." She shook her head. "The expanded pack means six stations you watch and 200 you skip past. I don't watch anything green on the menu -- that's sports. I do like bull riding though. I don't watch blue, that's cartoons, but I like Scooby. I can't stay awake for two hours to watch a movie."

I gave her more coffee -- decaf this time of day. I figured she wouldn't know the difference.

"There are some good shows on though," I prompted.

"Yeah, but I like commercials the best. Have you seen the one with the robot race horses? The man that did that is a genius! At least about human nature: not so much marketing because I can never remember what he is selling. Not Mustang cars? I don't think robot race horses are actually built yet."

We sipped in silence for a while. "You know, you could just stay here tonight in the guest room instead of borrowing the electric blanket. You are certainly welcome here any time."

"Maybe I will at that; makes more sense. Do you have any cake to go with this coffee? Make another pot; this time REAL coffee, OK? I'll be able to sleep fine tonight. Just turn on the TV and I'll drop off quick enough."

Until the next time friends remember whatever "hard times" you face, it's easier to survive with a good friend.