Monday, December 30, 2019

12-30-2019 Monday--1:30pm

Good afternoon!
First of all, before I forget...the pills did arrive after a few days and only had my address on them and nothing about being forwarded.  ??  These are the ones that were supposed to be helping with inflammation that I've been taking for two months.  I decided to not take them for now because I don't think they are doing much of anything.  I took pictures so I can compare later.  But I don't see much difference over the past several months.  See--looks about the same as it did 2-3 months ago to me.
 Still a big old hard lumpy knuckle on my right hand...
 ...vs. my left hand.
So, we'll see if it gets any worse over the next few weeks.  I don't go back to see her until late in February so that gives me time to check it out.  If it gets worse I have the prescription I can start taking again.
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[I did take toe pictures, too, but I won't subject you to that--ROFL!!]
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McFamily made it to the AirBNB near Henning for Christmas.  Ian got better right away.  Liam and Leah were still sick for a few days, but they still made it outside to play in the snow, Leah said.  (Flu?)  They got home before the winter storm up here started.  Perfect timing!
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Whenever we get together for our little Christmas I have the presents wrapped in the paper that mostly Dagan and Ian made.  :)
We usually have our Christmas the beginning of January some time.  No rush.  Need everybody well and the streets drivable--LOL!  :)
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Meanwhile...my dear friend, Serena, told me about cat videos.  I can't believe that I had never known about free cat videos on YouTube before this?!  So Annie Girl got her best Christmas present ever!  Calm or relax your cat videos or just plain videos for cats...have found a few channels.
She's never shown any interest in the TV and has never jumped up on the TV cabinet before!  At first she vigorously tried to catch them, but quickly found out that was a futile effort.  I took this video after about an hour of her intoxication.
Annie LOVES her genuine CatTV--LOL!
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Annie was not the least bit interested in It's A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story when I watched those over Christmas.  She slept through them.  ;)
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It was a quiet week.  I caught up online and almost caught up on letters and thank yous.  I watched a few movies that Netflix was going to discontinue soon, season three of The Crown, and a bunch of stuff on YouTube(that wasn't cat videos--LOL!). 
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On Friday I believed the weathermen who said a storm was coming in that night (McFamily drove home that day) because, once again, I saw the jackrabbit twice in the daytime...and the birds were here off and on all day filling up before the bad weather.  They're always suddenly starving before the weather turns.  :)
Annie no longer cared about the old real critters--LOL!
Saturday it snowed all day but it was a beautiful, fluffy, sticky snow without much wind.  Enough to show you which side the wind was coming on the evergreen across the way, though.
The covey always gets scared when I open the door to throw seed so they stayed nearby...
...where they could watch from a safe distance.
Then they'd come running over to fill up--LOL!
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Annie was more interested in the new birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and voles on TV.
She would sit like this for an hour or two at a time.
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By Sunday we woke up to a blizzard.  The sticky snow had plastered my patio door and screen so I could barely see out.  But who was there digging for seed?
The jackrabbit.
I no sooner got the door cracked open (not an easy task) to toss out some more seed than the covey was right there.  They had been somewhere close by waiting.  I barely got the door closed--LOL!
The partridges know to dig down into the snow for more seed, too.  I get such a kick out of watching them dig deep holes because they know there are buried seeds down there...and the sparrows quickly gather to catch a few of the unearthed treasures they can't reach.  Thought I'd share a video.
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Meanwhile...I now have an Annie problem.  She sits like this in front of the TV and cries until I turn on her CatTV for her!  She complains a bit when I want to turn on the TV but, to Annie's dismay, it is for something I want to watch--LOL!  
At this rate she is going to need her own TV--ROFL!
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This morning...the storm has passed and the human digging out begins.
The plows are out building high snowbanks.
They're above the tops of the garage doors.
Really quite pretty...
...but there is ice underneath it all.  
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The wind funnel in the yard by me kept me from getting a huge drift this time...
...even though my planters are buried.  
We got about a foot of snow, I guess.  I don't know if that was altogether or just during the blizzard.  Doesn't matter.  It is very white out there.  And the covey is delighted to visit Rita's Bird Cafe...
 ...several times a day.
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The dryer is going.  Annie is watching her CatTV, of course.  2020 is almost upon us.  I do plan to get out my angel cards and burning bowl for New Year's Eve this year to welcome in the new year properly.  (Knock on wood--last year I got sick or felt awful or something as I recall.)  Wednesday I plan to start on the weekly calligraphy classes.  Friday I plan to start a Questions Day blog.  Wish me luck.  I hope this is a better year and I can pull this off as something I can stick with.  I'll give it my best effort.  :)
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To all of you--you have added so much to my life and helped me get through 2019.  Life is good.  Think positive.  Laugh often.  Try something new.  Keep smiling.  Hug often.  May 2020 be a special year filled with good things and much love.  :) :)
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"There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind."
CS Lewis

15 comments:

Rita said...

Comment to get your precious comments. :)
Happy New Year!!

Halle said...

I'm so glad I happened to see your post on Elizabeth's sidebar. We are getting snow today...so much that we changed our mind on going out for Mini-mes b-day.
Marvin enjoys CatTv as well...but on the iPad. Whenever Mr. G lays in bed with the iPad, Marvin is right there asking for bird videos. Spoiled critters.
Happy New Year!

Bonnie said...

Oh how funny, Annie is really into her TV now! My cats have watched some of those videos on a tablet. They will get really excited and sometimes go around to the back of the tablet to see if the bird is there. Did you know you can also download apps for tablets or phones that are games for cats to play! They will have mice or bugs or whatever running around and when the cat touches it there will be a sound and a flash. They have those games with fish too and all kinds of critters. Most of them are free in the app section of your phone or tablet.

You sure did get a lot of snow! Tom told me over the weekend that he saw on the news that you had a blizzard. I'm glad you can stay in out of all that. The bird (and rabbit) cafe certainly does stay busy in this weather!

Sorry to hear your knuckle and toe are still bad! I sure wish the doctor could find something to help that.

I am looking forward to your Questions Day blog. It sounds like it could be a fun way for people to get to know one another. I keep thinking I would like to start a blog but then I think I would never have anything to write about.

Take care!

Jon said...

It's a shame that the pills don't seem to be helping your inflammation, but I think it's a good idea not to take them yet - so you can wait and see what happens. As you said - you can always take them if your condition gets worse.

ALL of your photos and videos are fabulous! I love the beautiful snow and that adorable bunny. And, of course, the partridges.

Those cat videos are amazing!! I've never heard of them before but I'll definitely check them out on YouTube. Annie is so funny - she's really mesmerized by it (she'll probably need glasses after being so close to the screen).

I know that my cat Bosco would like those videos. I'm not so sure about my other cat Scratch. She's older and doesn't get very excited about things anymore.

I hope 2020 will be a bright year for you, Rita - filled with blessings and all good things.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Poor Annie. I am sure at some point, she will get bored, but for now, it seems she loves it. I won't be watching them on my computer because I have two pesky boys who might get spoiled.

Hope your hand gets better over the next two months.

You got a LOT of snow. I got maybe 1/2 an inch.

Hope you have a joyous, safe, happy, healthy New Year and a great 2020. I am sure you will live up to the challenge you have set for yourself.

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

WOW on those Cat Videos - Annie is hooked ! Glad the McFamily is safely home again. That is an amazing amount of snow. Your bird/rabbit cafe has been very busy, love seeing your pictures of your visitors as well as the snow.
Happy New Year 2020 Rita.
Hugs.
Joy

DJan said...

I love hearing about Annie's new addiction! How much fun is that? And I too hope you have a wonderful new year ahead, Rita. We are due for a better one, I think. :-)

Joyce F said...

Happy New Year, Rita. Will write soon. Hmm. Maybe I don't want to get Micky or Mister hooked on cat tv?

Divers and Sundry said...

I'm glad your family is recovering, and I know you'll be pleased to have them completely well. Annie's TV-watching is fun lol She's entranced! And greedy ;) What a hoot! Your snow makes me feel cold just looking at it. Brrrr! Happy New Year's Eve to you and Yours. I trust we all go into the New Year with the Excitement and Focus Annie is showing lol

Lady Fi said...

Lovely to see Annie and also all your snow! Wishing you a healthy and happy year ahead.

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

This whole post made me smile and chuckle Annie is so adorable and funny at times

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Rita! Wow - you are getting so much snow. We don't have any on the ground here in UT, but the mountains are white and we are supposed to get a pretty good storm tomorrow. Glad that McFamily is feeling better and you as well. I love Cat TV. I had never heard of that - but wow your kitty really likes it. Have the Happiest of New Years! See you again soon!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Cat Tv I love it! Annies new pastime! She needs a chair in front of the TV to relax! Yes about 12 inches of snow here too, heavy stuff. I got a work out shoveling! Happy New Year! I so wish they could come up with a medication to help your hand and toes! :)

jinxxxygirl said...

Happy New Year Rita!!!! Wow i haven't seen that much snow in YEARS!!! Stay safe and warm! LOVE how Annie loves her cattv...lol Hugs! deb

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

I loved the video you made of the partridges and tiny birds. They have the same type of behavior as the chickens we used to have as well as the pheasants we have around here. Last winter, I saw partridges scratching for corn and bird seed that we put out for them. It made me laugh because they looked so much like chickens.

I didn't know that they dig holes for themselves in the snow. Thank you for sharing that. Isn't it interesting how wildlife adapts and makes it through these bitterly cold winters?

That's funny that Annie likes the birds and wildlife on t.v. rather than real life now. Maybe she is longing for the warmer days of spring and summer too! :)