Let's Start Here...

 As kids, walking in the woods was an everyday event.  We pretended to be 'indians' and hunted stealthily for arrowheads.  We gathered food sources with mushrooms and wintergreen berries.  Contests were held to see who could find the first-and very elusive ladyslipper flowers.  We speared (illegally) suckers from the river and gave them to a local guy to smoke.  Needless to say, I loved walking in the woods-and I still do.

So when my cousinfriend asked me to go hiking in the woods with her, I was all in.  I love to walk and I love the woods, so lets' do the darn thing!  What a perfect way to move while catching up on all the familial gossip.

So dressing warmly, Dayna and I made out way to Bloomer Park.  Dayna is a very practiced hiker and even snowshoes the trails during winter.  As we began, you can't imagine my surprise (shock) when I discovered that the 'walk in the woods' was a true hike with hills, giant staircases and narrow trails.  I seriously underestimated this 'walk.'  Kids, we were HIKING!

Dayna expertly navigated all terrains, but me-not so much.  I slipped, lagged behind and desperately needed my forgotten inhaler.   But I persevered and loved every step of it.

 Thanks to Dayna for the full body workout including our jaws!  Can't wait to do it again-with my inhaler!

Yellowstone (Theme)…

 

I love to party.  And I hate being late.  That said, I find myself horribly late for the 'Yellowstone' party.  I'm not talking about a visit to the great park-but just a date with the Netflix series, "Yellowstone."  

Now, I did try to watch back in the first season that the show aired.  I've never liked westerns and I was sure that this one would be no different.  In all my wisdom, I deemed the show a loser, with poor writing and mediocre acting.  "Well, this one will never make it."

Randy binge watched the series while he was hospitalized and got totally hooked.  So, trusting his judgement, I watched last season with him and joined the Yellowstone Party-better late than never.  And I love it.  Fast forward to this week.  While Randy is quail hunting/swordfish fishing in the Outer Banks, I am bingeing myself silly on the early seasons of Yellowstone.   

I've finished season one and two and about to start season three.  Many of my questions have been answered and I understand some of the intricacies of the characters.  I have learned that cowboys are not just cute guys in western wear but guys who actually work with the cows. (Get it? Cow Boys?)

 It makes me want to slip on my boots and cowboy hat and drink a tumbler of warm whiskey.  Living in the bunkhouse looks worlds more fun than the college dorm I missed out on.  And I love horses and cows.  Maybe I would be a great cowboy-one that wears the cool outfit and pets the cows and horses. 

 But I draw the line at the warm whiskey.  XO

Tragedy…

The news is as dark as our weather.

 I am as captured as the rest of the world following the Idaho murder tragedy-where four innocent, beautiful students were randomly murdered in their beds.  

I have always been intrigued by true crime and have read and watched the stories for years.  The mental condition that justifies planning and carrying out murder just mystify’s me.  Does this qualify mental illness; because how could it not?  Your head must be somewhere I just can’t understand.  In another lifetime I would totally entertain forensic psychology in a better effort to do so.

And those poor families… Losing a child is something I understand and I mourn deeply with them.  

Kudos to the police and FBI for the work they did in bringing in the suspect.  I can only pray the madness of senseless killing can be understood and the perpetrators be brought to justice.  Rest In Peace, Kaylee, Madison, Xana and Ethan.  

Slide...

 Where did this week go?  Or all of 2022 for that matter.  I don't know how its Friday and I haven't got around to my weekly post/rant!  Been putting our 'stamp' on the new place-with all that entails.  Randy didn't forget his amazing wallpaper skills and I put him to work in our tiny powder room.  He patiently nailed it!  I am preparing to do some painting and we finally got barstools to sit on.  That's really it...

Happy New Years Eve eve to all.  Enjoy this wildly mild weather and I'll see you all next year.  As my galpal Gayle would say, "Bright blessings to you all!"  XO

Christmas Wrapping....

 Has anyone else 'noticed' how the Christmas season has changed?  

I realize that I sound more like an old person every day, but I am a creature of habit and I never want some things to change.  For example, doesn't anyone (that sends cards) miss standing at the card counter searching for the perfect card with the perfect sentiment?  Then, addressing them by hand and signing them with a maybe a personal wish?  I love all the photos of the kids, parents and pets in the holiday pics, but really, I've seen them all on Facebook-most likely.  And no signature is required!  Don't get me wrong; it's way more effort than I am making in that department, and I still love to receive them.

Spiritual yard decorations have (sometimes) been replaced with giant inflatables that have absolutely no relevance to the reason for the season.  I find them somehow off-putting and prefer just lights and a more natural approach.  (But again, I applaud the effort and am sure kids probably love the blow-up things.)

Shopping.  Holiday songs would have us believe that we are bustling around on a snowy day with our arms full of packages.  Could we please acknowledge and do a hand clap to the ones REALLY hustling around-the FedEx, Amazon, UPS, and USPS drivers.  We don't even have to get cold except when we open our doors to inload our packages.  Although I do not Christmas shop in any form, pointing and clicking doesn't count-kinda.  And, once again, I applaud the effort.

I guess as long as family, food, and maybe a not to the Holy Family happens, it's still all good.

Merry Christmas to all and may your holiday be everything you wish it to be, in the way you prefer!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town…

 

At our annual Christmas Family Pajama Party we had a visit from jolly old St. Nick!  The children were delighted and did the traditional knee and list thing and posed for some darling pics.  Us older chicks had our moment and I spared poor Santa trying to fit me on his lap.  I assured him of my excellent behavior all year.

After stuffing ourselves with a buffet fit for a Queen and imbibing on holiday cocktails, we played our  usual rowdy White Elephant gift exchange.  It was wonderful to catch up with all my cousins and their families-new babies, new pregnancies, jobs, health and maybe some new wrinkles and gray hair!  

I’ve said it before-Christmas is a spiritual time for me.  Randy and I quit buying gifts for people who don’t need/want anything, so that pressure is off.  My Mom and sister baked my favorite Christmas cookies today so I hope to see her, munch a few cookies, hit Christmas mass and show her all my pics from the party!  Sounds like my idea of a perfect Christmas!

Thanks to Chelsea, Andrew and family for again hosting this fun bash!  Your  home reeks of family, love, laughter and fun and is the perfect place to gather.  And did I mention that their gorgeous bar is called ‘The Library Bar?’  It’s perfection!

These Eyes…

 Tomorrow morning I will rise at 4:20 to drive up north to take my Mom for cataract surgery.  As much as I hate rising early and driving in the dark-this will be no small feat.  Please sent your thoughts and prayers to Mom in the hope that all goes well and her vision improves.  I’ll take any leftover prayers in hopes that my coffee does its thing  and that I steer clear of any deer, as Lux, Hazel and I cruise up north.  Fingers crossed! XO