Today I noticed...I like to have some doors closed and some doors opened.

I'm a bit on the claustrophobic spectrum. I don't usually like to be in a room with the door closed. I figured this out when the roads were covered in ice and my mother and I slid off the road into a ditch. I nearly tromped her to death trying to get out of the cab of the truck! 

I also don't like to sleep in a room where the door is closed. The concept was driven home to me when I was in the classroom and it was recommended that we close our doors. I noticed that I was generally more relaxed as a teacher when I could leave the door open. 

Then, when I moved into a position where my teaching was more like that of a consultant and I shared a classroom as an office, I tended to be more comfortable, productive, and in a better frame of mind if my desk faced the window.

Then, this week we have had extended days with temperatures below freezing. So, we did as recommended and left water dripping from the faucets and cabinet doors open to allow plenty of warm air to flow around the pipes. I frequently caught myself closing the cabinet doors as a habit. So, those doors seem to need to be closed for me to be more relaxed and comfortable.

Doors open for rooms I'm inhabiting. Doors closed for cabinets near me. That is the way I like it!

Just 3 Things | #15

I've been doing a lot of reading during the last few days. I've read blog posts, eBooks, hard copy books, cookbooks, online newspapers and magazines, social media posts, and all manner of things. When one is snowed in, reading is one of the very best things in the world to do in my opinion. Plus, I can get away from the television a little bit. Away from westerns playing end on end. Away from programs that I really, really dislike and didn't even like when they were fresh offerings each week. Away from horrible commercials about life insurance, AARP, and other old people needs. Away from the horrible newscasts that show senseless murders and political messes.

When I've talked to folks in phone conversations, we've talked about reading and books. I talked to a friend whose third grade son finished up a book and had to do a book report and we talked about how his teacher seems to be doing her best to kill her students' love of reading. Requiring them to all read a mystery. Requiring them to write a written book report. Requiring them to create a cereal box something-or-other related to their book. Requiring them to take an AR test about the book. Why wouldn't she just let them read and have a conversation about it or write a short review for their friends? Why can't she request that they keep a list of books they've read and ask them to read a different genre from the last book they read and let them choose the genre? I'm so glad I don't have a student in her class!

Another conversation was with my son regarding the books the granddaughter is reading. She's a second grader and has read about all of the Dogman books. He said, "It is so bad that we can hardly find one she hasn't already read." I just chuckled and told him I'm just glad she's reading. He said that she's also gotten on a kick for reading the I Survived... series. She's not your typical second grade girl, I guess.

Then, I had a cousin who listens to audiobooks and asked me to give her a summary or preview of Wuthering Heights. I did and guided her to something that is a more contemporary and interesting read in my opinion. See, that's what real readers do. We don't make cereal box projects or write reports. We summarize, preview, suggest, discuss, share our favorite parts, and recommend or critique. So, today I decided I'd start this post with what I've been reading. Cereal box project might come later. We shall see...

- What I've Been Reading -

I'm finishing up another Mary Kay Andrews book, Savannah Blues. It is that southern voice that makes me keep coming back to read something that is sort of light-hearted by Andrews. The names of the characters are such southern names and her descriptions of them are so spot-on that one can just see these folks standing right in front of us when we are reading. 

I chuckled the entire time I read the selection about the main character, Eloise (Weezie), meeting up with an old friend, Merijoy, in the grocery store:

Merijoy had a big bag of red bell peppers in her hand. She dropped them into a shopping cart loaded with children, and enveloped me in a bony, Dior-scented hug. 

"Sugar," she gushed. "How awful for you. I have been beside myself with worry. Are you all right?"

Before I could answer, she turned to her shopping cart full of kids. All of them had white-blond hair and huge brown eyes."

"Renee," she cooed. "Sweetheart. Don't give Rodney jalapeno peppers, darlin'. They'll burn his little mouth."

Renee looked to be preschool age, maybe five. Her long, tanned legs were jammed intot he compartment of the cart where I usually set my purse. Her face was smeared with what appeared to be either blood or the filling of the raspberry doughnut she was waving with one hand. 

The lower section of the cart housed a slightly younger, boy-type version of Renee, who looked to be about four. Rodney, I assumed, since he was holding a partially chewed jalapeno pepper in his hand and howling loud enough to wake the dead.

There were two more children in the cart, too, a pair of twin toddlers, a boy and girl, clad in look-alike yellow sunsuits. "Mommy we're hungry," they chirped.

In one smooth motion, Merijoy snatched the pepper out of the screaming child's hand and flung it to the ground. She reached down into the cart and twisted the top off a plastic jug of Hawaiian Punch and held it to the child's lips. He stopped screaming and gurgled it down. In the next second, she'd opened a box of animal crackers and handed them to all the children.

"All set?" she asked. The children, who strongly resembled a nestful of baby starlings, sucked contentedly on their cookies.

I mean, I sort of felt like I was standing right in the local grocery store witnessing the experience and smiling! Andrews just seems to write like a southern woman thinks and it is so relatable to us fellow southerners.

- What I've Been Loving -

One thing is for sure. When we are snowed in, we tend to eat well. There are fewer distractions and one or the other of us has plenty of time for cooking. With our last grocery delivery I had ordered some chicken thighs. I cooked those Sunday and stirred up some white bean chicken chili and chicken and dressing. I just opened canned beans and used a package of pre-mixed seasoning to add to the chicken and chicken broth. The seasoning was a wee bit spicy for us but I added a bit of sugar and some sour cream and I really liked it. 

I used this recipe for the chicken and dressing. Since it made a 9x13" casserole size, I divided that into two 8x8" dishes and froze half. I made cream-style corn and cooked some green beans and on Monday night we had one of those southern comfort food meals that the Mister really likes.

Tuesday night was Taco Tuesday. I had sort of gotten in the habit of running errands on Tuesday and picking up tacos or some sort of Mexican food for lunch or dinner. Since we were snowed in, I browned ground beef and added taco seasoning. I had noticed some beef and bean burritos while assembling the grocery order and added those to the list. So, we had a gourmet Taco Tuesday. I shredded lettuce. We added shredded cheese and sour cream and some queso blanco  to some taco shells and it was delicious. 

Wednesday I made some cheese potato soup and a tossed salad. I warmed and cubed up some left-over chicken tenders to add to the top of the salad. That was another comfort food meal. 

Thursday's menu plan was steak and biscuits and fries. I still miss that menu item that was taken off Cracker Barrel's menu years ago. A local restaurant in Nashville also served great steak and biscuits and fries when I was a young girl. So, it has been a favorite menu item for me for a long time. However, we are low on frozen biscuits and I didn't want to make some from scratch. So, the menu was modified and we had chili dogs and cheese tots. Easy and greasy. Mike thought this was the best meal for the week, I think. (See me rolling my eyes?)

The Mister has been frying sausage or bacon and eggs and cooking biscuits for breakfast. I have been eating yogurt to offset the side effects of taking the antibiotics last week and add some probiotics back into my system. I did bake some muffins and have eating a small muffin or two each morning with my fruit and yogurt. I had made cranberry orange muffins last week and baked chocolate chip muffins this week.

Since I am coughing less and feeling better, I have started back on my stretching and exercising routine. I'm not walking on the walk pad or riding the stationary bicycle, yet. If I keep cooking and eating like this, though, I will have to add that to my morning routine and may need to add an evening session as well just so I can continue to fit into even my soft pants!

- What I've Been Watching -

We accidentally clicked on a series on Amazon Prime and just stayed with it and it has really been one of those series that has us sitting on the edge of our seats. Shades of Blue with Jennifer Lopez. I would not classify it as family watching at all but it has been an interesting watch. Several times the Mister and I have looked at one another and said, "I didn't see that coming!"

The reviews are high and I can see that others mentioned the suspense and surprise at the plot lines. The description on Amazon Prime says, "In a steamy new drama, the iconic Jennifer Lopez stars as sexy New York detective (and single mother) Harlee Santos, who fell in with a tight-knit group of dirty cops, taking bribes and protection money that she uses to provide the best life for her honest and talented daughter." It also says, "Complex moral choices captivate viewers," and that is quite truthful. I must admit, there are times when I have turned my head away due to the graphic nature but it has been an interesting watch. We are amidst Season 2 at this point. The Mister asked me last night if I thought there were people out there who are that violent and crooked. I gave him the look and asked him if he had read any news headlines besides weather-related ones lately.

Well, that just about wraps up this wintery week. It has been a good one even though we have sort of been snowed in. (I didn't mind staying in but the Mister had to get out and putter around.) I also got a message from my daughter-in-law late yesterday afternoon that their power has been restored. So, after five days, all seems right with the world again. We hope the same is happening in your world. Get ready, though. If you live near us, we have been informed of a weather advisory for the next three days and the possibility of more precipitation midweek next week. 

We are ever grateful for those first responders, those who have been supporting the power line and clean-up crews, and those who have continued on through the slippery and cold weather. We are thankful for their hard work and dedication.

My Library

I've spent at least a part of these snowy, ice-encased days browsing through coffee table books about home decor. I guess I just enjoy looking at beautiful, cozy, well-curated spaces. As I flip through the pages, I tend to look around and think about how fortunate and blessed we are to have such a nice home and beautiful things. I sort of compare my own curated spaces to those in the look-books and think of ideas for swapping locations of decor or swapping out something that is set out for something that is closed away in a closet or cabinet temporarily. This week I perused James Farmer's books:

Arriving Home

Celebrating Home

A Place to Call Home

I did a little dreaming about what I would like to do with our outside spaces. We have a gate that came from our family farm and some wagon wheels that have been in Mike's family for years that I would like to use to create a more formal entrance or a southern statement at the entrance to our farm or yard. 

I also did a bit of comparing and felt a sense of satisfaction in my choices for upholstery for the pieces we recently had redone.

I still smile every time I walk through the den or go in there to plop down on the couch and prop my feet up on that ottoman. I've always loved a sofa with a bench cushion and camel back and the ottoman that I found years ago that we use as a coffee table and I just love the updates! I was looking for inspiration for updating the smalls that sit on the ottoman or mantel or tables. I was noticing what was in the look books and thinking of what I might shop around the house for to create a similar look.

I was also considering adding a couple more of Farmer's books to my current hardback library...

I have joined some sort of mailing list within Amazon and get regular notifications for discounted Kindle editions. I also got a couple of monthly selections with my Prime membership. So, I've added to my Kindle book stack or library.

• A Pirate Looks at Fifty  A Jimmy Buffet Memoir
• Snowed In! by Catherine Walsh's holiday story that is a funny holiday romance with fake dating.
• The Last Secret of Lily Adams  Sara Blaydes novel in which the death of a legendary actress reveals a wealth of Hollywood secrets.
• Savannah Breeze  Mary Kay Andrews's follow up story involving Eloise (Weezie) and her friend, Bebe Loudermilk
• The Jailhouse Lawyer James Patterson's novel about a young lawyer takes on the judge who is destroying her hometown—and ends up in jail herself.

I'm on the waiting list for a couple of eBooks to be loaned from my local library. So, I was glad to get the books mentioned above for a discount price to keep reading good stuff till those are available through my Libby app.

I always thought I'd be a hard copy reader sort of gal. However, it is so convenient to just open the Kindle app or Libby app on my phone and read - no matter where I am, I have access to a good read! Plus, when I'm lying in bed at night, the phone falling on my head or chest hurts a lot less than a big old book. So, I have adapted and lots of my pleasure reading is done on my phone.

I'm also still sorting and sifting through cookbooks and adding back to the shelves in the kitchen or donating. The most recent has been Best-Loved Slow Cooker Recipes. I don't remember if I picked this up at a school book fair, got it at the Scholastic Warehouse sale, or if it was a gift from my sister. At any rate, it seems like a keeper. There are good looking casserole dishes, some main dish recipes, a couple of cake recipes, and a Peanut Butter and Hot Fudge Pudding Cake recipe that have already earned sticky notes and ingredients added to the next grocery order for me to try!

I know I've got a broad assortment of books in my library and that I will probably never read everything I've got under this roof. However, one never wants to be without a good book! Right?

What have you been reading or what have you added to your book stack or library lately? Do I need to add something to mine?

Today I noticed...The ice is melting layer by layer.

We commented yesterday about the thickness of the ice on the back porch and how the table went from being a solid, stacked sheet of ice to the grid pattern of the metal on top. Then, today we noticed that there was a layer of ice on top of that grid as well as a layer on the bottom. Plus, there is a fringe of icicles around the edge.

Partial Top Layer and Drooping Bottom Layer

The south end of the table cleared off yesterday but the ice that dropped off of it just landed in a pile underneath and it looked like we had dumped a bag of ice there. 

With the sun shining and higher temperatures today, there seems to be lots more dripping and I am seeing chunks fall off the power lines and trees. It does sort of sound like a shooting gallery when the chunks hit below.

When I looked up, I noticed that our gutter covering that keeps leaves out is also serving to keep the ice out and it is just sliding off and dripping. 

The sunshine makes it look like there are diamonds on the trees and atop the porch and all over the place. It is beautiful to look at - especially since we have suffered very little damage.

We have seen so many online posts of neighboring streets, roads, and yards where they have had damage and we've talked to several folks who lost power as well and our hearts go out to them. It was heartwarming to see where local coffee shops and restaurants took donations and provided meals, snacks, and drinks for the folks working to restore power and clear roads. When I saw those announcements, it made me want to do my part to be an unseen and unnoticed helper.

In times like these, I'm reminded of the Fred Rogers story about his mother offering reassurance and advice by telling him to Look For The Helpers.

2026 Snowmaggeddon Day #5

We are hanging in there and I am thankful to learn that many of our neighbors who were without power have now had it restored. We cannot imagine what it has been like for those power company employees. Navigating through the icy roads and walking and scotching on the ice to cut up the fallen and drooping icy trees; then, replacing broken power poles and lines. We are grateful for them and their dedication to serving others.

SOMEBODY had cabin fever a couple of days ago and just had to get out! One of the kiddos gave him a tall walking stick. So, he trekked out to the barn where he had parked the ATV buggy and truck. He motored round the ponderosa checking things out. Then, moved his truck and parked it at the basement entrance where it is close to the house with less iciness and threat for him to slip and fall.

The neighbor widow called and asked him if he would mind driving her down to the little township - about 5 miles - to work yesterday. She didn't have to be there till ten o'clock in the morning. So, he delivered her and picked her up at the end of her shortened day. 

In one of the check-in phone calls to my son who lives two hours west of us, we learned that he and his brother-in-law had trekked out to get refills of fuel for their generators. I told my daughter-in-law that I would love to have been a fly on the wall watching them. I'm sure it was about like watching two thirteen-year-old boys out on their own. They had tales to tell. One of the tales included picking up a woman and delivering her to a friend's house. 

He sent me some photos showing where they trekked and how the roads looked.

A View Through Son's Windshield

Another Windshield View

They drove under trees that were overhanging the road and saw lots of ice and snow damage.

I'm not so certain that driving under this tree was a wise move but sometimes it is better not to know what one's grown children do.

My daughter-in-law said that they are piling into one room with both children sleeping on pallets. They turned off the big generator and only ran a smaller one to keep that room warm. She said that during the night the kitchen and den area dropped about twenty degrees or more. They could see their breath! But, turning the big generator on brought the temperature back up really quickly.

One little family member got a tent for Christmas. So, she bedded down in her tent in the family bedroom and added about five coverlets to her space. She told me that she was so cozy in there that she had even sweated!

We are still lifting up grateful thoughts and hopeful thoughts for those who are still without power and are feeling stuck. We are also lifting up grateful thoughts for those folks who are out there working diligently to restore and repair damage caused by the storm. 

Stay warm and be careful out there!

2026 Snowmaggeddon Day #4

We've had sleet. 

We've had snow. 

We've had freezing rain. 

We've had more snow.

Yesterday, we had a bit of dripping off the roof that re-froze onto the handrails and porch.

I have lived through storms before that were bad. I don't know that this is any worse but, boy, it is different! I haven't seen anything quite like it.

Back Door View

Back Porch

 

Front Porch View

The sun caused some dripping off the roof yesterday. Here is a close up of how it would drip over thje edge of the gutter and freeze.

Once it dripped down onto the handrail, it would freeze and the icicle almost reached the step below.

Lights and plants at the foot of the front porch steps were encased in ice. Notice the icicle hanging off the front of the handrail.

Some of the roof icicles got really thick with the dripping. I am just amazed.

Lots of the trees are bent over. Some of them are even touching the ground. It is a pretty sight as long as I can just step out onto the porch and take a quick photo and come right back into the warm house.

The fencing is also beautiful so long as I'm just clicking a quick shot and scurrying back inside!

Our power lines are still encased in ice. We are some of those fortunate ones who have had power the entire time. The power flickered off a couple of times but it was not long.

The Mister and I have talked about this several times and how we have not seen anything like this before in our memory. 

Today I noticed...We get junk mail for old people.

I know we are old. 

For goodness sakes, we are retired and have Medicare for insurance.

We are old.

Today we got junk mail that targets old people that I didn't even know such a thing was a thing.

The Mister got a letter about this and I got my own letter about this.

Below is a photo of the first paragraph of the letter:

I have to admit, I almost scanned the QR code and set us up for a test with the company. They are giving away a $20 Amazon card to those who participate!

2026 Snowmageddon Day #2

 Yesterday was quite a day. The snow started falling at about nine in the morning. We had quite a bit after an hour of solid snowfall.

Back Door View

Front Door View

This morning, at around five in the morning, rain and sleet began to fall. After about an hour, there was a slushy mess everywhere and this is how it looked:

Back Door View

Front Door View

Everything in the air like tree limbs, power lines, light strands, porch rails, etc., has a coating of ice. The ground also has about an inch and a half of slushy ice setting atop it. There is water standing in puddles and low parts of the driveway that has slushy ice and snow in it as well.

Notice the icicles on the chaise and that the pile of snow and the entire garden stool is encased in ice.

The chairs and table are completely encased in a coating of ice.

The power lines look like this line of patio lights and notice the bulbs are even encased.

The wind has picked up a bit and there is creaking and cracking and popping. My bonus son says that it sounds like gunshots in the trees at the top of the hill behind their barn where there are limbs and trees falling. When a gust of wind comes along, those icicles fall as well.

The temperature here is 33 degrees Fahrenheit and meteorologists are predicting the lows to fall into the teens tonight. Tomorrow's high is predicted to be 19 and the low will be in the single digits. 

This is quite amazing for us here in the south.

On social media posts I am seeing huge trees that have fallen across streets and roads. The local news reported that over 200,000 people were without power at around noon today. About 70,000 of those households were here in our county. Folks have lost power at the north of us as well as at the south. I'm sure those trees are playing a role in that. Power company and Public Works folks have been out working relentlessly.

We are blessed and fortunate to have power and be able to stay indoors. The bonus son checked on the Mister's animals this morning and told him to stay inside because he doesn't need to risk falling in this mess. So, the bonus son and the grands came by on their ATV and checked things out for us. They also brought us a bag of ice melt salt and left it beside the back door.

Talked on the phone to my son who lives two hours west of us in a rural area. They lost power at about five-thirty this morning. They have a whole house generator to keep their heat and power going. They also have some small generators to power their barn and shop/office. He thinks they have enough fuel to keep the small generators going for three days. He wishes he had more fuel at this point because he is not optimistic that their power will be restored by then. Right now, though, they and their animals and equipment are safe and warm.

We are lifting up grateful thoughts and hopeful thoughts for those who are without power. We are ever grateful, especially, for those who are part of the power company and public works teams working to restore power for people. I have never seen anything quite like this in my lifetime.

Stay warm and be careful out there!

Just 3 Things | #14

We are bracing for a BIG weather event and I'd be willing to bet most everybody I know is doing the same - no matter where they live, it is probably going to hit them in some way. Our trucks and machinery are full of fuel. There is plenty of hay laid by for the animals and we have heat sources to protect their water sources. We have plenty of food in the cupboard and in the fridges. Our prescription meds have been filled. So, we feel ready for whatever hits. Right now the meteorologists are predicting that we will start with freezing rain of some sort - either pelleted ice or rain that freezes after it hits. We would prefer the pelleted version, of course. Then, it is anticipated that we will get snow atop that. Here in the south, that can be problematic for folks who must get out and go about their lives and work. For us, it is just an inconvenience - I hope. What's the weather like where you are?

- What I've Been Working On -

Finally. Finally. I got the all the Christmas decorations packed up and stored away. The little kitchen tree came down a couple of days ago. (This was a planned and somewhat organized disassembly of the tree that had fallen three different times since it was first put up.) Yesterday, I felt fairly normal and decided that I had completely recovered from the creeping crud that has been lurking around here. So, I took down the big Christmas tree that Lydia and Luci had helped me to put up and decorate. I tried to organize ornaments as I took them off the tree - sort of. Upon completion, I told myself that next year I need to do a better job and have a better system. I also made note that I've got to figure out a better way for the kitchen tree before next year. I hope I remember that and my intentions to scout for a good organizational method for storing ornaments of all shapes and sizes and bead garlands and all of the things that go on the two trees. I also have plans for scouting out a better option for the kitchen tree. Another thing I did was go round the house and pick up all the twigs and bits of faux greenery and berries that I had tucked here and there and boxed those up. The little blue wagon that Mike insisted he needed last year was really handy. I could fill the tubs and boxes that I have for different decorative elements and stack those into the wagon and pull it to the basement entrance. It is so much easier than trying to trek up and down the stairs while toting tubs and boxes of stuff. A couple of wagon loads and I was done. I was also mindful of where I stashed the items I used for holiday decor this year and made a mental note that I need to take some time and go through all the decor I have and weed some things out.

By the end of the two trips out the back door and down to the storage room downstairs, I was puffing and gasping and coughing. So, normal is not the state I think of when all that is going on. However, I feel so very much better than I have felt at any other time during the month of January that I am sticking to my guns and saying that I'm recovered!

- What I've Been Watching -

We have been watching mindless television. We have streamed a couple of series using Amazon Prime and those have been a good change from the sappy movies of last week. Crossing Jordan with Jill Hennessey is one of the series that has captivated us. I recall watching an episode or two when it was on mainstream television but it has been an interesting series for seeing how things were during that time in our country and for seeing how technology has changed. It is not too gory or too predictable. So, Mike and I have made conjectures from time to time when there was a crime and chuckled with satisfaction when we were correct and raised eyebrows when we were not.

What I've really enjoyed watching has been college basketball - in particular, SEC basketball. I've watched men's games and women's games.  Of course, around here our blood runs orange for The University of Tennessee. It was good to see the different teams acknowledging the impact Pat Head Summit had on women's basketball. I always love to see the interviews with different people who were players she coached or folks who coached with her. They all seem to support the fact that she was a coach who was devoted to the betterment of the players, to the betterment of the sport, and to the attitude and devotion of putting in the work to be a part of a winning team. While watching those interviews, I often thought about how far things have come since she was a player; how far things have come since she began coaching at a very young age, and the number of young women she really made a direct difference for. I also wonder how the new NIL situation would have impacted they way she thought and how she managed her players and the game. 

- What I've Been Reading -

This week I did some serious reading. His Truth Is Marching On by John Lewis.  There were so many memories the book stirred for me and so many impactful statements within those pages. I think I am most moved by Lewis's afterword. Perhaps the most important paragraph of all said, 

"There are forces today in America trying to divide people along racial lines. There are forces today that are still preaching hate and division. There are forces today that want us to return to the old ways, to lose ground, to take our eyes off the prize. It makes me sad, for we don’t want to go back. We want to go forward and create one community—one America."

Yet, Lewis still encouraged hope, 

"We chose community once, in the 1960s, and I believe we can choose community once more...the means by which America redeemed part of her soul then can guide us now. When you see something you believe is unfair or unjust, you have to say so. Silence is not the answer. So much of what makes America truly great is hanging in the balance."

Many of us are asking what we can do to make a difference. Lewis's response:

"How to march forward? We all can study our history and thus learn what has worked in the past and therefore might just work in the present and in the future. We all can be trained to find our way or to get in the way. The teaching of individuals like James Lawson, Gandhi, and Dr. King lift us. They move us, and they tell us over and over again if another person can do just that, if another generation can get in the way or get in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble, I, too, can do something. I, too, can get in trouble for the greater good."

 

I don't know that I am doing much more than airing how I believe injustice is taking place or sharing my perspective on the current state of our world with those who have no choice but to listen to me. However, when the opportunity presents itself, I certainly have intentions of getting in the way or getting in good trouble.

I hope the snowmageddon doesn't bring big trouble for folks. I do hope it allows folks to take a bit of time. To take a breath. To enjoy the beauty of nature. To take a break from the demands of living in a positive way. Be safe out there and stay warm!

Today I noticed...I appreciate little words of affirmation.

I've started transitioning from one grocery service to another. So, today when I completed my grocery delivery order and selected the Place order button, I was surprised to get a message telling me that I had saved an hour. 

Now, I have known that ordering groceries online saves me time for several years. I can just click on an item to add it to my cart as I think of it and not have to wander the store browsing for different items. I also know that I much prefer sitting in the privacy of my own home and completing a grocery order rather than wandering those grocery aisles. 

Even though I know those things, to have the app provide affirmation of those facts by telling me that I saved an hour really brightened my day. 

I began to wonder what other ways affirmation might impact us.

I am going to make a point to seek out ways to provide affirmation to those I encounter. It started this morning. I completed the survey sent by the grocery delivery guy. Then, I added a little personal note in the space provided saying that we really appreciate the job he does and are grateful that he was a part of our day.

What other ways could we lift up somebody do something ordinary in our lives?

Today is the day...

I'm feeling some better. 

I slept in the bed for a three-hour stretch last night with little coughing and no shivering.

In even better news, Mike also slept in the bed for most of the night and even slept so late this morning that I tiptoed into the bedroom where he was sleeping and checked on him. That soft snore was a wonderful sound!

Since the sleeping in the bed for three-hours has happened two nights in a row - even though on night one it was a two hour stretch and then an additional hour after sitting in the chair and sleeping for a couple of hours, I have declared that I am on the way to being almost well.

To me that means I've got to tackle a project. It is not one of those projects that I thought about for months and then figured out exactly how I was going to tackle it. This project is much simpler than that.

I am going to work on getting the Christmas decorations here inside the house put away. Yesterday, I went downstairs and dug out the tubs which hold the ornaments for the tree. I put them in the wagon and pulled that to the kitchen. Today, I plan to put ornaments into one of those tubs. If I have the stamina, I might undecorate both trees. I cannot believe I just entered that paragraph. There once was a day that I could have done all of that and more within an hour timeframe. Old age and sickness ain't for sissies!

Of course, at some point I will have to put groceries away and put something together for dinner. So, we shall see how many items off the list I have in front of me get crossed off!

MLK Day 2026

 

Just 3 Things | #13

Our house is a mess. There are little puddles of cough lozenges sitting here and there. The kitchen island has cough syrup bottles and medicine bottles and spiced tea mixed cluttering it. The Granny Cabinet (a Hoosier Cabinet that was my Granny's) has more medications and a humidifier perched upon it along with a week's worth or more of mail. There are quilts and coverlets strewn across the sofa, Mike's recliner, and the chair in the bedroom. There's a stack of jackets draped across the back of a couple of chairs in the dining area. Plus, there are still all the trappings of Christmas decorations everywhere - and the twinkling has certainly lost it's holiday luster.

Things are looking up, though. We are only coughing about half as much as we were this time last week! We are also thinking of what we want to eat as a menu instead of thinking of what we could eat to just survive. Maybe we will be back to normal before February rolls in!

- What I've Been Reading -

I've done a lot of reading as I was coughing and dozing this past couple of weeks. The reading that stands out consists of three different books.

The Nantucket Restaurant by Pamela Kelley

Three sisters and a long-time restaurant manager inherit a Nantucket restaurant from the women's grandmother. The sisters were not even aware that their grandmother owned the restaurant. So, that was a surprise. The will also stipulated that they must all work there for at least a year. It just so happened that each of the sisters was sort of at a crossroads in their lives. So, the year of work began with each addressing the running of the restaurant using her strengths. It was a bit of a twist on an age-old concept. I enjoyed reading it without a struggle to keep up with what was going on since I was dozing in and out while reading. It made me stop and think about what I might do in such a situation if I was forced to work with relatives to keep a business going. It also made me think and wonder what strengths I have that would support such a venture. 

The Family Across the Street

Every family has secrets and this neighborhood is no different. There were a couple of strands of thought going on in this selection. It really prompted me to think about a lot of different things. Do I see beyond physical appearances and really accept people for who they are? If I suspected something was really wrong in somebody else's home, would I do something about it? Do I sometimes accept the version of people that I see at first glance and not give it another thought? Would I take action if put in a life or death situation?

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

This book has had lots of hype in the reading circles that I follow. So, maybe I was anticipating a bit too much. This was a really good book. It did make an impact on my thinking even though it wasn't earth-shattering and life-changing like some readers have said. 

It is described as "a beautifully crafted novel about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another." I think I kept wanting to have the privileges that Theo had - that deep wealth and opportunities to make a difference to others. As I was reading, it dawned on me that I really do. I may not have unbounded wealth, but I am fortunate and can share what I do have in a purposeful way. Do I do that often enough? Maybe I need to be more creative with my generosity. Maybe I need to look at more ways to live my life in a purposeful way. Maybe I need to create more invisible threads of kindness.

- What I've Been Watching -

One thing is for certain, our television has been on and playing almost 24 hours per day and seven days per week since we've been sick. Have I been watching it? Not all that much. Mike, however, has the television going whenever he is in the house. So, there have been several old westerns like Gunsmoke and Bonanza playing. Never mind that all of these shows have been viewed by him before. Heck, half the time he is reading or watching something on his phone instead of paying attention to the television anyway. He just needs the noise going, I guess. Sometimes he will stream something and it will almost always be something that would fit on The Hallmark Channel. Character has issue and returns to the farm or the small town and an old flame saves the day ending in a happily ever after. 

Yesterday morning I mentioned that I was sick of old westerns. So, that afternoon, he pointed out that he was watching something other than an old western. It was Walker, Texas Ranger - program that I thought was pretty fake when it was new. So, I told him that was not a step up, if you ask me. He didn't really seem insulted and just chuckled at my response. 

A commercial came on last night while one of the sappy movies was playing. The narrator asked, "Why do you watch live TV?" Then, there were several examples given of options for streaming programs. Mike asked me how I would answer that question and my response was, "It is for mindless entertainment for me." Then, I turned the question back to him. He chuckled and said, "I guess just to aggravate you!"

- What I'm Loving -

This week I've been loving cozy quilts and coverlets. I can wrap up and keep warm or kick one off and still be comfy. They wrap around me when I'm on the sofa with my feet propped up on the ottoman or when I'm in a chair with my feet on a footstool. Mike has done the same. 

We've also been thankful for food delivery. We had a local grocery deliver food and drinks to help keep us hydrated and medicines like cough syrup to help with the incessant coughing. Bridgette had soup delivered and a humidifier with some eucalyptus oil as well. We've ordered from several restaurants to have comfort food delivered such as chicken-n-dumplings, pizza, and pot roast with mashed potatoes. It was so nice to have a good hot meal without having to cook! We are fortunate and truly blessed.

I've also been loving different hot drinks. I start the day with hot decaffeinated tea laced with honey and lemon. I usually end the day with a cup of hot cocoa I mix up and sip on just before falling asleep in the chair wrapped in a quilt. I've also been thankful that I mixed up some home-style spiced tea before Christmas. I gave some for gifts but I had some extra little jars and I have mixed that up for sipping some throughout the day. Here is the recipe I used:

Spiced Tea Mix

• 2 cups Tang powder
• 1 cup Instant unsweetened tea granules
• 1 cup lemonade powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground cloves

Mix ingredients in a large bowl. Store in airtight container. Mix 2-3 teaspoons into a cup of boiling water.

While we are muddling through around here, not all has been horrific. We are grateful to be retired and not having to be concerned with taking off work to wallow in our sickness. We are grateful to have a nice home to hole up in and isolate from the world. We are thankful for the conveniences we enjoy. We really do look forward to shaking this mess off and getting back into a more active life.