Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Tuesday-10:30am

Good Morning!  
Can't believe it is Tuesday already.
Miss Karma waits at the patio door...
...for her morning sniff...  
...of fresh air... 
...laced with a hint of rabbit poop. 
It was warm for three days last week--30s and even got up to 47 one day.  Lots of melting going on and it felt like spring.  And now it has been above freezing again for a couple of days--whoohoo!  :)  It's nice when the February thaw comes around to give us a short break.
****
I ordered a clear cover for my big cast iron skillet and a couple more utensils to match the new ones I got from McFamily for Christmas (because I love them and everybody needs more than one big spoon or turner--and I need more soup ladles, for sure).  Luckily for Karma, Amazon sent them in ridiculously large boxes so she's claimed them.
We have seen the sun a couple of times--honest.  LOL!  Sometimes only for a peek in the morning.
Yesterday morning Karma wondered why I was acting all frustrated and was getting up and down messing with the modem and McLap instead of allowing her her precious snoozy morning next to me at the table. 
I had no internet.  
Even when I restarted the modem and McLap. 
So I got a hold of Leah to see if they had internet (now that we have the same company) but hers was fine.  She wondered if it might have something to do with the big funeral at Scheel's Arena which is less than two blocks from me.  We had a policeman killed on duty up here--first one in 130 years.  Even some Canadian mounties were coming down for the funeral yesterday and they expected around 6,000 people to attend.  (Remember I don't have TV anymore.)  It's been all over TV up here since it happened and they were going to televise the funeral and stream it online yesterday, too, Leah thought.
****
 Yup, she was right.  The internet came and went during the day several times--overloaded by the influx of thousands of people along the procession route--and probably more people watching online at one time than ever--but service was all back to normal after the funeral.  You can't be annoyed when it was because of something of such import.  I kind of felt badly that I didn't know and had been annoyed, you know?  
****
It was a dark day but above freezing, at least--so no ice.  There was a 21 mile procession through town.  You can read about him here and see the funeral here.  (I haven't had the time to watch the whole two hours yet, but I will finish the last half today.)  I do admire those brave human beings who put their lives on the line for others.  
Rest in peace.
****
  On a lighter note, Leah changed Craft Night from Sunday to Monday so she was over last night--earlier.  (Dagan put Ian to bed so that she wasn't here till all hours--LOL!)  We had a long list of things to do--from fixing the hinge on Karma's cat box to watching some card videos to filling a box of goodies to send off to Donn in Florida.  She brought me over some cupcakes, too!  We always have a great time.  :)  And we never even got around to working on cards and tags last night--LOL!  Next week.
**** 
Karma is snoring next to me in her chair.  All is right with her world today.  It's another dark, cloudy day--about the same as yesterday--35 degrees right now.  Just above freezing.  But we had some rain or something during the night and the sidewalks and parking lot looked coated with ice when I first got up.  Melting slowly now that it's above freezing.  The grouse are around actually grazing once in a while instead of constantly racing past.  Maybe it's been this false sense of early spring that has them all riled up?  Who knows?  
****
I've still been spending most of my time writing/answering letters.  Sent off number 48 today!!  Whoohoo!!  I've almost completed my master list that I wrote up the beginning of the month.  Now am just continuing to respond to letters I am getting in the mail, so the letter writing has slowed way down.
****
My knee is better.  Still blowing my nose, but feeling pretty decent again.  And I can have a cupcake for dessert at lunch!  Life is good.  :) :)
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Oh no!  I totally forgot the drink pic for T-Stands For Tuesday!  Well, you know my red thermal mug is right next to McLap here.  ;)  Happy Tuesday!!  Have a really good week.  :) :)
****
“In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.” 
Elizabeth Gilbert

30 comments:

Far Side of Fifty said...

I saw some photos of The RC Mounties that were there, they were impressive looking! We didn't watch the funeral just saw bits and pieces on the news. Such sadness.
We got snow here, I just finished shoveling we got about three inches overnight last night. I am tired of snow already...and there is still at least two more months of winter...maybe more:(
Have a good week:)

GrandmaG said...

Sounds like things are much improved. So happy to hear it! Weather is crazy this year. At one point on Sunday my car registered 80 degrees for the outside temperature. Two days later, we're expecting 1-3 inches of snow overnight. Crazy! Craft night sounds like so much fun! Might have to start something similar with my DIL when she moves near us. Sadly, my daughter is not a crafter. Take care and have a great week!

carol l mckenna said...

Adorable photos of Karma ~ and so glad you are feeling better and that you have internet back again ~ Be well and enjoy ~ ^_^

Happy Week to you ~ ^_^

Valerie-Jael said...

Cats always love boxes. Happy T day , hugs, Valerie

TexWisGirl said...

glad you're feeling better finally. sorry about the police officer. very sad.

froebelsternchen said...

I like to see Karma ! She is adorable!
Happy T-Day!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Yep, I see that red mug sitting next to you, as I see Karma snoozing and snoring away. I've seen Bleubeard snore, but never Squiggles. Could it be an age thing?

Laughed at your craft night. Kathy and I got together last week and we had all kinds of plans. We ended up doing NONE of them, just going to lunch.

Thanks for sharing about the funeral, Karma with her boxes, and your craft night with us for T this Tuesday. As always, it was a fun visit, and I admire all those letters you are writing. BTW, it was 80F on Saturday here in Wichita.

DJan said...

I'm beginning to wonder if all this climate variation is the new normal. It's happening in so many parts of the world. I love your Karma pictures and am so glad to hear your internet is back to working again. :-)

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

You had some very warm weather there for a bit. It's such a nice break...and gives a hint of what's to come soon. Heard about the death of the officer here. Too many officers getting killed in the line of duty, it seems. Very sad. I think of the 48 people who will be getting letters from you, and how you are brightening their day with a personal letter. That's so nice of you to do that.

Anonymous said...

"J"--consider that a letter sent to you. No need to respond!!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Glad to see that the weather is improving and that you are getting better too! Karma is clearly enjoying herself! That funeral sounds like a big affair but I don't think it was reported here in th the UK! Have a good week! Chrisx

Lisca said...

I'm glad you are feeling better.
And that the snow has melted. Karma seems to appreciate it. Does she go outside at all?
What is it with cats and boxes... All cats seem to like boxes.
I hadn't realized you don't have TV. I don't either and I'm considered a bit of a freak because of it. (that doesn't bother me though). It was good that the policeman got such a good send-off.
I smiled when I read that you did so many things while Leah was there but you didn't seem to have done any crafting....
Thanks for visiting mine,
Happy T-day,
Lisca

Linda Kunsman said...

OK- first- I LOVE that E. Gilbert quote and have already copied it-awesome!!! Always love some pics of karma relaxing:) Understood about the internet but what a sad occasion. How wonderful that you and Leah can get together for fun each week-regardless of what you do. Happy T day!

Carol said...

Certainly sound like you are feeling better and getting more things done. It's good to just have a fun night with someone too. Projects can wait. The weather has been up and down here too. 78 on Saturday and 37 now :/

Dianne said...

Glad you are doing better...the warmer weather is encouraging and the days are getting longer. I do hope Spring is just around the corner! And I did not know that there were such things as covers for cast iron skillets! Mine sits out on the stove top because it's just too heavy to try to get in and out of the cupboards...so now I will have to keep an eye out for the handy gadget, or figure out how to make one! happy T day!

ChicagoLady said...

I'm glad you're feeling better. I got bronchitis, 3rd time in a year, and it's not going away quietly. Been coughing for 2-1/2 weeks, trying a new drug from the doctor to kick this thing out of me! We hit 62 last week here in Chicago. Not quite a record, but definitely a teaser for Spring. Tomorrow snow is coming to remind us that Old Man Winter hasn't given up his grip on us quite yet! LOL

johanna said...

seeing the boxes i immediately thought they must be a feast for Karma!! isn´t it fun, you can always get the cats with that simple "toy".
take care, i also hope for spring to come soon.

Krisha said...

Hi Rita, so glad to hear that you are feeling better....that has been a nasty bug that visited everywhere this year.
Our pets seem to know our routines better than we do...LOL
and get confused when we change it up.
Craft night always sound like fun to me.....even if you never get around to crafting. I would love to have somebody for a weekly gathering.
Our weather has begun it's "almost spring" bounce.....last week was jackets, this week short sleeves....next week????
Happy T-day

~*~Patty S said...

Fun how cats and little kids enjoy boxes!
Spring is definitely getting closer.
Take care of yourself Rita.
Happy last week of February = Oh My!
oxo
p.s. thanks for popping by my Magpie's Nest ♥

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Rita, so sad about the police officer. I hope your internet issues get fixed. So frustrating. Hope the rest of the week goes well and as always, regards to Karma and McFamily.

Karla B said...

I love Miss Karma!I am glad your knee is better!I need fall urgently here before we eveprate. Hope spring gets there soon too.

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Oh how I do not like not having internet we are so use to it now days today it is suppose to be about 41°c but could get even hotter, thankfully we have air conditioners can't imagine life without them now

Bridget Larsen said...

Thank you for my surprise letter that I got today, I will get to replying and get that one in four year post mark for you on 29 Feb. take care xoxoxo Bridget

Darla said...

I get a chuckle out of Karma, wanting her sniff of fresh air and taking over empty boxes. Sounds like things are going well at your place these days. When a day includes cupcakes it has to be a good day.

Anonymous said...

That is a lovely quote by Elizabeth Gilbert. And great shots of Karma - isn't she pretty?

Sherry Ellis said...

Sounds like a huge funeral!

I always enjoy seeing photos of Karma. She seems like a happy cat.

Serena Lewis said...

So sad about the police officer being slain in the line of duty. My heart goes out to his wife, children, and family. I'm sure they would have appreciated the support and love shown by the police community and the general public.

I'm glad to see Karma was able to enjoy the boxes. hehe And yes, our fur-kids do wonder why our normal routine is different. They can be quite intuitive and know routines so well. I giggled at your comment about Karma smelling the fresh air laced with a hint of rabbit poop. hehe

Good news...I have a hand-written letter under-way to you. Slow-going with my hand but getting there. By the way, thanks for the lovely card and decorated envelope. It made my day.

It sounds like you are doing much better. Lovely that you and Leah had a great time together for your weekly craft night.

Happy Thursday/Friday to you. xo

Jenny Woolf said...

I am so glad you are feeling better Rita. I often think boxes are among the best free toys ever.

Neesie said...

How cute is Miss Karma, I love the fact that she expects her daily intake of what's happening out there. What is it about cats and boxes! I bet she's in her element!
I hate it when the internet plays up, but you weren't to know why.
It's great to hear that you are feeling better. I think it's lovely that you and Leah have craft nights. That's very special I'm sure.
That's certainly a serious amount of letter writing Rita!
Have a wonderful week ahead and give Karma a cuddle from me.
xoxo

Intense Guy said...

I would run around like a grouse (with or without his head cut off) if it would help Spring get here sooner!