Into the Wild Wood and Home Again

UP, and it's not snowing. Granted, it was also four below zero again. Today is G's birthday, and we are going to have a relatively "chill" day (no pun intended). I overdid it yesterday, what with stomping through snow to get to the car to gun it through the 8-10 inches of new-fallen snow to get Holly to basketball (she had a great time), cleaning out enough when we got back (shoveling...ugh), and then getting groceries. All while wearing heavy boots. My knees and feet hate me. So, I'm going to watch church on the livestream-- not my favorite option, but today, I'm letting pain be my guide.  Later on, Holly will come over and we'll bake a cake. G playfully asked for a black forest type of cake, and that's what he's gonna get. I have flan pans, and that way, there's an indentation to put filling in. I am thinking about filling the cake with vanilla pudding, and then using the second layer to fill with a little more pudding and cherry pie filling....

Isn't it funny that when you don't have to get up early, your body says...hey, fool, it's time to get up... It's okay, I have coffee.  I actually don't mind being up. It's the getting busy, hustling to hit the shower, etc. part that frustrates me most mornings. I'm not a morning person. I need quiet and about an hour to get all systems up and running well. Usually, though, I have about fifteen minutes on a work day. Could I get up even earlier, so I can have that quiet hour? NO. Five o'clock is sufficient. I manage. But oh, what a lovely feeling to put on the bathrobe and shuffle about with a cup of coffee that I don't have to gulp down.  I'm waiting until the sun comes up to see just how much snow we got last night (and it is still snowing)-- the prediction was for 3-5; G says it looks more like 8+ inches. O lordy. Holly's last basketball practice is this morning, so we'll have to hope that it stops snowing and that the roads are not awf...

Today is the full day of Winter Carnival activities. And for the first time in eons, trivia is part of the plan. Granted, it's a short version, but still-- fun to be included. I had to rummage in my closet for all the blue clothes I could find for today; as a sophomore class adviser, their assigned color to wear today is blue. I found comfy blue stuff (even my underwear!!) so I'm all set. All I can say is, I'm glad we are not wearing white. That's harder for me in the winter. Or really, anytime. I tend to get stuff on me if I'm wearing white.  That said, I'll be supervising activities until about noon, then I'll go get Holly. Today is the first day she's been back in school since last Thursday. Poor bean has been awfully sick. Figures, today's the last day before vacation week, but still, she misses her friends. They have a half day, so I will go pick her up at lunchtime, and then we'll figure out something or other to do. I hope the predicted sn...

New from U2: " American Obituary " Worth a listen.  Take care of those you love. Hang in there. C

We haven't had many birds at all at our feeders in the back yard this winter; first, there was the bear devastation, then we re-hung them after the coast was clear-- but no takers. G moved the feeders last week to the front yard, hanging them all in the lilac hedge. Still no takers. Then, in the late afternoon, I heard a mild bird-chirping racket!  How nice to see a chickadee, three purple finches, and one other small bird all vying for seed at one of the feeders! Hooray! They are a friendly presence, and I love hearing them and watching the swoop and flutter around.  I got really fond of watching the birds during the Covid lockdown months. There were so many! reduced traffic and other busy-ness, and the birds were in charge. Not so now, which is sad. Though in the summer months when the forsythia shrubs are all leafed out and the rose bush tangle is thick, the small ones love to hide and dart around. It's a lot of fun to float in the pool and have the birds talking to you wit...

Mardi Gras... I'll be spending it at work, then home, and likely no pancakes. Though that could change.  I'd like to give up social media for Lent, but I'm in the middle of promoting the pre-sales of my little book.  I will give up using credit cards.  I will try harder to not fall into despair.  It's a lot.  Love to all, C