November 25, 2024 Monday--5am

Good morning!

A better week.  Much colder, but better--lol!  We went from rain to snow and freezing temperatures.  In fact, not supposed to be above freezing for the next couple of weeks at least.

I was quite sick beginning of the week.  Cough turned croupy.  Couldn't breathe.  Couldn't sleep.  In fact, was awake from Tuesday morning until Wednesday night--awk!  But have been getting better since then.  We got our first snowfall over a couple of days.  LOVE it!

Allie is glued to Cat TV for part of each day.

Odd to know there was some green grass under this snow.

Saw my first arctic hare in ages!!  It happened to stop under a tree across the way so I could get a picture.  It's not even white yet.  

We see all kinds of small birds--various sparrows and the juncos...  

...but there is evidence of partridges in the snow!  I think they come pre-dawn and at dusk.

Anyways, the cough had settled down and I was getting some sleep again so that I could make it to see my new eye doctor on Friday.  Dagan picked me up and we found Sterling Optical.  The eye doctor was really nice.  He was efficient and friendly.  Dilated my eyes, checked my cataracts, macular puckers, and my prescription in half an hour.  My eyes haven't changed--whoohoo!  And I ordered a new pair of glasses!  Still wire rims, but larger lenses so it is better for my tri-focals.  One to three weeks the girl said.

I don't need to mail Christmas cards till the beginning of December, so I focused this past weekend on my bullet journal.  Felt more human, so I got December all set up and then spent most of Saturday setting up my new 2025 bullet journal.  TaDa!  Done early this time!  

Otherwise, haven't done much else.  Still sick, but on the tail end now.  Since I am cuddled up under a blanket most of the time I decided, once my headache was gone, it might be a good time to tackle subtitles.  Started watching The Nordic Murders.  (You knew it would be a murder mystery series, didn't you?)  Also have been watching a lot of watercolor artists and card makers on YouTube--inspiration for when I feel well enough to get into the studio.  Been doing some online shopping for Christmas presents for the boys and picking out a new shower caddy and some wall shelves for my coffee jars...things like that.  Happy stuff.  

Dagan brought in a bag of sunflower heart chips from the garage when he was here on Friday...and also my humidifier I had in the donation stuff.  (Didn't think I'd be here another winter, so glad we've never had a donation pickup--lol!)  As long as I am still here I might as well feed the birds.  I still have some bags of seed in the garage, so what the heck.  They haven't said anything to me so far...or no one has told on me?  In the winter feeding the birds won't attract mice or voles or the like.  They're smart and are underground for the winter--lol!  Whatever.  I am feeding the birds.  Makes me happy.

At the beginning of last week, I didn't expect to feel this well already by today.  So that's a very good thing.  All is well up here in the North Country.  Keanna comes tomorrow.  I plan to be doing some creating this week.  Cards for pen pals or getting out the art journal...something fun!  You know, besides just catching up on all the usual stuff I didn't do while I was sick (or sicker, I should say--lol!).  Winter has arrived with determination.  Grateful I got my winter clothes switched.  (I am slow, but it was a long fall--lol!)  

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you in the US.  The holidays are upon us.  Cue the Christmas music and the blinking lights.  Ah!!  My favorite time of year...from fall till New Years.  Just a time for gratitude, kindness, love, and joy.  We may not get all of that, but there's no excuse not to already have gratitude...or not to give those others away, right?  ;) 

Till next week.  Sprinkling you with kindness, love, and joy.  :)