Solstice

Happy things from today:

• Today is the first full day of winter.  According to the internet, Solstice was official at 10:27 PM on Thursday, December 21st.  So yesterday was both autumn and winter.  The amount of daylight will continue to get longer now, until summer.  Anyhow, it was a cold, but sunny, first day of winter.  
• Bel and Folke decided to celebrate Solstice this year instead of Christmas.  They sent me a message asking if they could open their presents early.  I said yes.   It looks like they liked the presents.  🙂
• Tonight (Saturday) is the last night of mandatory extended time for me this holiday season.  I will be so happy when this is over.  The paychecks were nice, but so is sleep.
• On the way to work I remembered to get a picture of some Christmas lights.

• Sunset!

☮

Currently listening to: Robin, by Dave Itzkoff.  

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Cookies

Some happy things from today:

• By 3:30 AM I had reached 10,000 steps.  Sometime before 8:30 AM 20,000.  When I got to my physical therapy appointment after work, I had over 28,000 steps.  My physical therapist was impressed at my step count.  However, I need to actually do my physical therapy at home.  I've been slacking.  As I write this, and get ready for a much needed sleep, my step count is just over 30,000.  I will do some physical therapy and get some sleep. 
• When I woke up to go to work last night I had a message from Keziah about cookies.  They brought some home from Crumbl and I was welcome to have some.  I cut off pieces from three of the flavors to take to work.  They were delicious.  Every week they serve different flavors.  This week they have four flavors that I like. 
• Once a month at work at least one supervisor gathers with anyone who has a birthday that month to casually talk shop.  This is my third December with the company and the first time I actually made it to one of these.  It is nice to share ideas and talk with management about things that go well, and things that don't.  They also offer some kind of snack or treat.  Today that included Crumbl cookies!  I am so very full of cookies and it is wonderful.  I may be done for a few days though!  
• It wasn't until after I drove by the houses I already took pictures of that I remembered that I wanted to take pictures of holiday decorations.  I didn't notice any more on the way to work.  Not everyone leaves their lights on all night. Instead, I offer a picture of a parking lot and red and green street lights.   The view from where I parked the car for work.

• Because pretty things are important, sunset!

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Currently listening to: Robin, by Dave Itzkoff.  

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Work Stuff

Happy things from today:

• It was tight, but I made it to work on time.  I overslept and then let myself get distracted.  Thankfully, work gives a few minutes on either side of the clock in time, so I made it.  One day left to work this week.  If they offer voluntary time off tonight, I might try to get it.  
• Work has updated my schedule for the rest of the month.   Next week I am only scheduled for four days instead of five.  Yay!  Also, I have both Christmas and Boxing Day off.  I didn't remember having Boxing Day off before.  It turns out that it has just fallen on my normal days off so I didn't even realize the business was closed.  Or, I knew, and just forgot because I had the day off anyway.  Yay, downtime!
• Once again my picture is of the sunset.  The colors didn't quite show up as much as I'd like.  There is a bonus crescent moon though, if one looks hard enough. 

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Also listening to: How to Win Friends & Influence People, by Dale Carnegie.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

So, I cropped the picture because the moon was so pretty, I wanted to share.  

I tried to get the colors of the sunset to show up better by cropping as well.  It was better in real life.  The message here is to get out, or look out the windows now and then, there is a big beautiful world.

RomCom

Some happy things from today:

• When I am assigned to the job of inducting packages I also get to work with someone who unloads the packages from carts for me.  Last night at work that person and I ended up talking through most of the shift.  Well, I listened, a bunch, and contributed some.  One of the things we talked about was hiking the white mountains.  He is trying to hike the 48 4000 footers in NH.  This is something that I would like to do as well.  It is always good when good dreams are remembered.  Hopefully this will reignite my motivation for this and other hikes I've been wanting to do.
• There is little to no educational value, just entertainment, but I do enjoy holiday/winter romantic comedies.  I watch a little almost every day after work.  Even with the repeating themes, they help me relax.
• Sunset!!

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Finished listening to: Ridgeline, by Michael Punke.  --  This was an historical fiction book based on actual events.  At the end of the book the author went into some details about what was real versus what was fiction.  He also included additional reading for more information.   

Also listening to: How to Win Friends & Influence People, by Dale Carnegie.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Back to Work

Friday happy things:

• It was a long night working, but I made it through!  I stayed moving at work with my step count for today over 26,000.  It was good to see people at work again.  They served food at the end of the day,  McDonald's.  I didn't have any because they didn't choose cheeseburgers as an option and I'm picky.  It is still nice that they do this as a thank you to the employees. 
• Work has an area near the time clocks decorated for the holidays.  There is a winter scene with Santa (okay, a weird Santa), Christmas tree, fake presents, fake snow, lights, a Hanukkah blow up polar bear with menorah, and blow up Kwanzaa candles.  
• Another good thing about being out of isolation is being able to hug my grandson.  He will be at an age soon where he might not want grandma hugs as much, I need to get them while I can. 

• Sunset!

☮

Listening to: How to Win Friends & Influence People, by Dale Carnegie.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

The Yukon

Happy Thursday things:

• When I was a kid in Geography class (maybe sixth grade?), we learned about Canada. I remember learning specifically about the Yukon Territory.  The population density at the time was really, really small.  It is less than one person per square mile and was even less then.  The introvert in me thought the Yukon Territory must be heaven.  Today, having been in isolation twice in the last four weeks for Covid, it no longer seems like heaven.  Anyhow, for some unknown reason my Facebook algorithms have started suggesting Yukon Wildlife Cams.  I'm enjoying them.  Here is one through Facebook that features bears.
• Tonight I go back to work.  Strangely, I'm looking forward to it.  
• Things were added to my holiday shopping list today while I scrolled the internet.  I made a purchase that I hope I don't regret.  I also avoided some scams. 
• Sunset!

☮

Started listening to: How to Win Friends & Influence People, by Dale Carnegie.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Food

Happy things from...  day?  Oh, Saturday:

• Day Five of my work week is complete.  I stayed an hour late today.  There was an issue with the equipment that slowed down our production so there was a bunch still to do at the end of the day.  They served us a meal at the lunch time break, different varieties of macaroni and cheese.  One of the people I sat with at break was sitting next to the receipt.  The place charged $200 to have the delivery for 5 AM.  There was another charge that we weren't sure what it was for.  Let's just say that the meal wasn't cheap and I am glad it wasn't me paying for it. 
• When I left work there was more food from other places.  There was pizza and Mexican food as well as cookies from Crumbl and some other dessert items.  The cookie I chose was delicious. 
• At home, I helped Zed clean out the Prius so he can try to sell it.  The engine needs to be replaced, so it is a parts car.  I had forgotten that my sleeping bag was still in there!  
• There was a lovely sky as the sun was setting.  Some pretty colors lit up the contrails.

☮

Currently listening to: Ridgeline, by Michael Punke.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Maps

Thursday happy things:

• Day three of work this week and I made it  through the entire shift.  Strangely enough,  I started out not feeling well (but better than last night) and felt better as the night progressed.
• Google Maps has a way to follow people (or at least their phone) and find them on the map.  This is how I know my friend Kimberly is in Cambodia and Keziah is still at work.  This is also how I have a fairly good idea where Gideon's phone is.  He thinks it fell out of his pocket on the bus.  I think I know where they park the buses!  😄
• Here is the sunset, and Christmas trees for sale.

☮

Currently listening to: Ridgeline, by Michael Punke.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

A Nest

Some happy things from Tuesday:

• This week I am scheduled to work 50 hours at ten hours a day.  I'm trying to be good to myself and got out an hour early today.  I figure that my normal week is 30 hours so I can get away with less than 50, especially since I was sick a few weeks ago.  Yay! Day one is over.
• After work I watched a movie.  I planned to turn it off in the middle to do other things, but it sucked me in.  There were tears.  I think that means I liked it.  😉
• As the sun was setting I took a few minutes to go outside to appreciate it.  I found something else, too.  Now that the leaves are gone I found a nest in the lilac tree.  I think it is some kind of hornet nest.  It is too cold for anything to be flying around it to help me identify it.

Nest

Sunset

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Currently listening to: Blizzard! The Storm That Changed America, by Jim Murphy.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Thanksgiving

 Happy things from Thanksgiving Day:

Sunset

• Work had us scheduled for a full shift this morning (1:20 - 11:50 AM).  We were able to leave just before nine if we wanted.  Yay!  A coworker had plans to go to breakfast with her daughter at the Red Arrow Diner.  We started talking about the stuffed French toast there and I got really hungry.   😋
• When I got home, Zed was just finishing making bacon and eggs for breakfast.  It was perfect timing, and so good!
• After a nap, I went to Zed's Dad's house to share a meal with their family.  Zed's adorable four month old nephew was there.  While Keziah was holding him, he grabbed onto my hand and decided my fingers were his dinner.  Yay, baby!

That's my thumb he is sucking on!

☮

Currently listening to: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, by Suzanne Collins

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Memories

Today's happy things:

• Every once in a while I go through and backup my photos onto an external hard drive.  Because of that, I can tell you that a year ago today I saw some of my family, and went to a friend’s baby shower.  Around this time last year I was in a pottery class.  Memories, especially the ones I take pictures of, can be good.
• Today my mom would have been 86 years old.  I remember one year we went to Washington DC to see the cherry blossoms in spring.  My kids were little and went too.  We were told it was the best year for blossoms that they had had in a while.  That is a very happy memory, Mom had such a good time.
• My Covid test was negative again today.  Now that can also be a memory.  I go back to work tonight.  

Today's sunset.

Rhododendron bud.

☮

Currently listening to: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, by Suzanne Collins

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Wednesday, I'm Still Here

Some happy things:

• Staying in my room all day because I have Covid isn't hard when I have a good book to listen to.
• There is an entire world outside the bathroom window.

☮

Currently listening to: Mocking Jay, by Suzanne Collins

Finished listening to: Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Sunset

Some happy things from today:

• There are medications that have been bothering my stomach.  I think I figured out the right way to take them.   It means changing when I have breakfast.  I'm good with that, especially since it seems to mean I feel better.  The routine change will take some getting used to.
• Again, I am awake longer than I wanted to be.  It meant that I got to get a look at the sunset, and that was good.

• There are two rose buds out.  I am not sure if they will open.  The touch of dark pink is nice.

• I have decided to listen to The Hunger Games books.  There is a fourth story that I haven't read, so I'm refreshing my memory on the original trilogy before reading the latest book.

☮

Currently listening to: The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Pictures Paint What Color?

Some happy things from the last day of September:

• The new car that Zed and Keziah bought is very nice.  It has things like seats that are heated AND air conditioned.  I haven't driven it yet, maybe tomorrow.  The ride is smooth.

It is more orange than red.

• Most of the day was spent at Keziah’s store.  We got more product on the floor, but not as much as was donated today.  Things are changing there, including the hours for next month.  

We filled the car up twice with donations!

The people used to shop at Zayre's!
My mom used to work for Zayre.

• After we closed the store, the others went to a local art gallery.  I didn't want to be with that many people so I walked through a nearby cemetery.  I only saw a small amount of Blossom Hill Cemetery  because it is so big.  The sunset was pretty from the top of the hill.  I took a series of pictures, eventually zooming in most, if not all, of the way in with the camera on my phone.  It did some interesting things to the color, but I like the effect. 

This picture probably shows the closest color of the sun.

• In the evening I untangled some yarn.  I didn't take a before picture, just mostly done and done pictures.  When I don't have a time crunch or other external pressure, I find untangling things relaxing.

Lavender yarn.
I hope the colors are better for you, dear reader.  This looks pink for me.

☮

Currently reading: She's Come Undone, by Wally Lamb.

Currently listening to: Homage to Catalonia, by George Orwell.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

There is Internet!

Here are some happy things from today:

• In the morning I heard that our cousin from Virginia, Evelyn, wanted to come and see Keziah’s store.  It was closed, but we made plans to meet with her there anyway.  It was another good visit.  She really liked the shop and gave some pointers on some of the jewelry that people have donated.
• Keziah decided to stay home and not go to this weekend's event until Sunday, after the hurricane moves away.  I decided to go.  The drive to the site was mostly rural and very lovely.  As the sun set I stopped and took a picture or more.

• It was mostly dark when I got to the event so I haven't seen much of the site yet.  It seems nice so far.  I am staying in a cabin with friends. There is room for eight and we are six.  It is so nice to have a cabin instead of a tent sometimes.
• The one thing I did tonight is attend the cheesy bardic.  Cheesy bardic is when they bring cheese to bardic.  I got to hear a story and a song before we all just started talking.  One of the ladies there knows my brother in Maine.  It is a small world!

☮

Currently reading: She's Come Undone, by Wally Lamb.

Currently listening to: Homage to Catalonia, by George Orwell.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Over-Peopled

Apparently yesterday’s event took a lot out of me. Not only did I sleep for almost nine hours, I lacked energy for most of the day. Some happy things include:

• TF and I had a nice long conversation. She seems to be recovering well from the surgery she had a few weeks ago. The weather in Texas is warm and the bluebells are blooming.
• I took a little bit of time and straightened a small part of my room and did laundry. Tiny steps.
• Tiny steps, but I managed to pace enough to make my step count as well as spent more time than usual practicing on DuoLingo and reading.
• Sunset!

☮

Currently listening to: Angela’s Ashes, by Frank McCourt

Currently reading: Camino Wandering, by Tara Marlow

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Minecraft

It has been a few months since TF and I played Minecraft. It was a thing we tried to do every Friday night. For a variety of reasons (overtime, the holidays, a new computer) I haven’t been able to play. With the help of Gideon, I was able to download the game onto my new computer.  Other happy things from today:

• This evening, Gideon, TF and I played Minecraft. We are in a new world compared to the last time we played. Everything is new again as there have been updates and we started fresh. The new world is very pretty. The makers have added coral and other details to add to the environment.
• It was chilly in the house today and I turned on the gas fireplace. It was a nice cozy area to read in. Winston, the orange tabby, tends to get a little too close though.

Sunset!

☮

Currently listening to: The Becoming, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Weird Wednesday

It is going to be a weird one. I wasn't feeling well after work so I didn't accomplish much. Therefore, my happy things are a little different.

• Indoor, modern plumbing is something that I am happy for. I have had friends that lived off grid for a while in upstate Vermont. No electricity or indoor plumbing. I couldn't do that in the winter…🥶
• Ice packs and heat packs that help lessen the aches and pains. 😌
• Belts, the kind that hold up my pants. I forgot to wear mine to work and it was missed, a lot. 🙃

Sunset!

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Secret

There is a small group of friends that meet most Sunday mornings to be creative at a local coffee shop. I’ve been invited to join them. They do writing, and so I tried to write a little too. I didn’t get very far though. I'm still happy to be included.  Other happy things from today:

• For Christmas, someone enrolled Gideon in a monthly recipe/cooking club called Raddish. Tomorrow he will be making a meal for the rest of the family (I'll be sleeping). Because I won't be sharing the meal, I got to help him make the Secret Sauce today, so it will remain a secret from everyone else. It was fun helping him make the sauce and he is SO excited to make the meal for everyone tomorrow.

• Our local SCA group had a virtual meeting.  One of the things I like best about the meetings is getting to see the faces of friends that I've been missing.  I also got a glimpse of a newborn baby! 
• There was another gorgeous sunset this afternoon.

• The day ended up being very busy and I didn’t get as much weaving done as I had hoped. The first pattern has been started though and tomorrow is another day.  I don't like stopping in the middle of a pattern.  I'm very tired though, so stopping is a good thing.

• Keziah has been away all weekend and is back.  She had exciting adventures and stories to tell about the place she visited and people she saw.   

☮

Finished listening to: Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman.

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.