💛Going silent💛

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I wanted to, and did, post about the early September Wedding of our Granddaughter, before posting this.

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Life was still more smooth then.

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I am the full time care giver for my husband.  And have my own health issues.   Thankfully I have the advice and support of our two sons!!!!

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But I can no longer blog, as I always have.

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After my Dear Blogging Friends have been able to read this post,  I will "put my blog to sleep."

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Blogger does not make this easy.  The only way I know of, is to make it Private.  Which includes an off-putting message that the person trying to read my blog, is no longer allowed to do so.

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Obviously not the message I want to give!!!!!

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But I am telling you here, the reason I have to put my blog to sleep, and thus, you will know.

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Words can not express, how delightful it has been, to be a member of "Pretty Blog Land," as I always called it.   Nor can I express how Grateful I am to all my Dear Readers, for our interaction.  

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Love and Best Wishes to you all....  

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🚰 Still without clean waer 🚰 UPDATE

 

We are still without clean water.   From the water main break of Sunday morning.   We still have to use bottled water, which one of our sons brought over, Sunday morning...  So that we don't have to boil water, to use it.

I am OC.  I probably wash my hands a *million* times a day, regularly.   During this water main break, we have to use Wet Wipes for any/all cleansing.  Yes, I'm glad I still have a stash of Wet Wipes, from my Covid-Stock-Up time.  But they are not the same as a good wash, with soap and water.   -sigh-  We can not shower, because don't want not-clean water to get in our eyes, nose, mouth, etc. 

 

  Let's face it.

We are a city of dirty people.

LOLLLLLL

Just texted a Grandson and he is in school!  I really  didn't think they would.

Please be conscious today, of every time you turn on a tap and clean water flows from it.  Give the faucet a little pat, and "tell it" that you will not take it for granted, any more.  😌

Think this experience will push me to keep some bottled water on hand.   Not a lot, but some..

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I read an Instagram/blog of a lady who does prepare.   Not with dry food and and that *preppy* sort of stuff.  But growing their own food...  Vegetables and meat.  Preserving it, various ways.  Keeping a back up supply of water.   Heating with wood stove and cooking with wood stove.   Etc., etc., etc.  Their  goal is to be able to survive, in 1800 conditions.   And that is a lofty goal.   Good for them!

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Few of us have the land area or even the *drive*  to attempt such.  We are the products of the age in which we live.  So we had better *keep good thoughts flowing,* for the good of our Water, Electricity, and etc. Systems.  😉 

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UPDATE

Boil Water Directive was removed about an hour after I posted this!!!!  Then we had to run all water taps, to clear any air buildup and any *crappy* water, left in pipes.

 

You have no idea how wonderful it is, to have clean running water again!!!!

 

Plus, the bottled spring water tasted awful!!!!  Our own water is so much more tasty.  😋😋😋😋

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Water main break

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Began the New Year with a very large water main break.

-sigh-

It's a mess, living without usable water.

Goes to show, how fragile our modern existence is.  And we never really consider it.

Some do.  But very few.

Give a thought to all the conveniences, which we usually take for granted.

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😊Hibernating Mode😊

guess i should give up on having all of my post, centered.  i click on centered and they come out, to the left, like a regular book print.

there are bloggers who claim that this is the easiest to read anyway.

 this week between christmas and new years, is *supposed* to be quiet, with no *to do list*.  but it didn't work out this way, this year.  -sigh-  but i certainly plan on beginning january/february, *deep winter*, with as much hibernation mode as possible.

 nature is sleeping, at this time of year.  many animals are hibernating.  it is cold, with long nights and a general feeling of "going within" as much as possible.  🏡   of being snug in our homes.  and having soups and stews simmering on the stove.  hot chocolate if one can have it.   good books to read, snuggled in one's favorite comfy chair, with a warm 'throw' over your legs.   etc.  etc.  etc.

 i know, people still have to go out to work, and we all have work to do, around the home.  but if we can keep the hibernate attitude in our heads and hearts, even when out, or busy.....    and if we decline any invites which we really don't want to participate in, we can more easily slip back into a quiet mood, when work and home duties are done.

 i know some do this every year.  but if you haven't really tried this before, perhaps you would consider it?  it's a way to more enjoy this cold, dark season of the year.  if we look on it, as a time to bring ourselves quiet, time for ourselves, coziness and self nurturing....  wouldn't that go a long way, to banish the winter blahhhhhhhhhs?  😊 

if you have any resources on this topic of winter hibernation, would you please share them?  i can always use more!

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some of my paragraphs are centered and some are not, at least now, before i publish.  ???????????

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The Right of Free People

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I believe in the Right of Free People to peacefully Protest, what they consider Unfair and Unconstitutional Rules.

Thus, I support the Canadian truck drivers and Canadian citizens, speaking out.

But I fear that their Protests, will be infiltrated.

By those who wish to discredit them.

Allowing who-knows-what retaliation.

And dismissal of their Valid Protest.

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💗 PLEASE.... 💗

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 First, no NE Snow Cyclone for us.

Not even any snow, for us.  :-)

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Second, my tiny part of 'Pretty Blog Land' is slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwing down.  -sighhhhhh-

I know it's Jan.~Feb.   I know a lot of people are sick, sick, sick of Winter.   (They don't value hibernation  -wink)   The sparkle of the Holiday Season has been put away.    Some dullness in decor, may face us.    It's cold in some places and dull and rainy in others.    If you are not taking Vitamin D, you are low on it, due to less outside time and  weak sunlight.    Etc.   Etc.   Etc.

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But with all this blahhhhhhhhhhhh, isn't it time to hold each other's hand, as it were, in 'Pretty Blog Land'????  Post!    Even if you take a picture of a tree outside your window, and complain about Winter!!!!!!!!  -grin-

 

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 Now, if you are posting frequently, this isn't directed at you!

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 But if you have fallen behind on posting.....

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Come on Blogging Sisters!    Let's put on our Big Girl Panties and try to post more.   We can do it!    We did it before, when ChinaCovid began.    We held each other's hands in Cyber, via blogging.    And helped each other through that unknown time.

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Please don't let a simple Winter Season, defeat us.

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"Don't watch the clock;  do what it does.  Keep going."~Sam Levenson

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❄ Cold ❄ Grumble ❄

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 It's not so cold today, but the frigid nights we have been having, are "wearing"....  Makes it hard to remember, that I am a 'Daughter Of The North.'  -grinnnn-

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It's ok, snug in bed.  But hard to get heat up, during the next day.

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Unless you keep it up, at night.    And even then, it goes down, during the night.

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Soooo, I am enjoying these illustrations, of mice, being snug and warm.

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“To keep a warm heart in winter is the real victory.”

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And I guess, this is why.....

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💗 Sad 💗

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Our haircuts are now put off 'till the middle of February, because our hairdresser is having her gall bladder out.   Was so tired of my hair, remember the "most awful haircut of all time"?  😁  LOL.    Anyway, was (almost) ready to give myself a 'buzz cut.'  It would grow out evenly, for 'Pete's sakes'. 

My husband was not so thrilled with this idea.

So I cut my bangs again.

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The sides are still too short and uneven and awful.  But I just slicked them down, as much as possible.  NOT that good a look, but it got me off the 'buzz cut' idea.

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And to show how silly my hair issue is....   The Dear Sweet Ginny at "Let Your Light Shine" has an awful case of Shingles.    Worst I have ever heard of.    If you don't already follow her, maybe you would stop over to her blog, and wish her well......?

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And please consider getting the Shingles Vaccine.

We did some time ago, after reading about bloggers, who had had Shingles.

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😞 When you get tired of our winter... 🌞

From Clara's blog...

Many Bloggers are upset with the winter months, because of the lack of sunlight...   The days are naturally shorter and the nights are longer.   It is quite distressing to some.

In reading 'Wonderful Clara,' this picture above, and the accompanying words (some copied below), made me think!   Just look at winter months, in another country!

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"January is the most difficult blog month. Still sad photo light but unlike in December no cozy lamps, crafts or decorations to document."

"And do you see that on the right? The sun cats on the wall? Screamed excitedly to the family - COME AND CHECK THE SOOOL! IT'S HERE AGAIN!  

Because from the end of November to the end of January it can't get up behind the mountain. The whole house is in the shade. So once it returns, it's time and joy.  

Everyone in the family has learned to look out for and pay attention the first time it happens. Folke ran and changed into a fine shirt to celebrate."

🌞🌅🌞
 

So, next time you bemoan how short the days (still) are...  Think of Clara's life in Sweden.  Where the whole house is in shade, from end of Nov. to end of Jan. !!!!   

It puts our winter, into perspective.  -smile-

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Still "The G.O.A.T." {Greatest Of All Time}

Tom Brady’s NFL Records

Quarterbacks with the most Super Bowl wins all-time:

• Tom Brady – 7

• Joe Montana – 4

• Terry Bradshaw – 4

• Troy Aikman – 3 

• Eli Manning – 2

• Peyton Manning – 2

• Ben Roethlisberger – 2

• John Elway – 2

• Jim Plunkett – 2

• Bob Griese – 2

• Roger Staubach – 2

• Bart Starr – 2

Tom Brady’s Super Bowl Wins and Rings:

• Super Bowl XXXVI (2002) – New England defeated St. Louis, 20-17
• Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004) – New England defeated Carolina, 32-29
• Super Bowl XXXIX (2005) – New England defeated Philadelphia, 24-21
• Super Bowl XLIX (2015) – New England defeated Seattle, 28-24
• Super Bowl LI (2017) – New England defeated Atlanta, 34-28
• Super Bowl LIII (2019) – New England defeated Los Angeles, 13-3
• Super Bowl LV (2021) – Tampa Bay defeated Kansas City, 31-9

Top 10 NFL All-Time Passing Touchdown Leaders:

1. Tom Brady – 624

2. Drew Brees – 571

3. Peyton Manning – 539

4. Brett Favre – 508

5. Aaron Rodgers – 449

6. Philip Rivers – 421

7. Dan Marino – 420

8. Ben Roethlisberger – 418

9. Matt Ryan – 367

10. Eli Manning – 366

List of all-time repeat Super Bowl Winners:

• Packers -1966 and 1967
• Dolphins -1972 and 1973
• Steelers -1974 and 1975
• Steelers -1978 and 1979
• 49ers – 1988 and 1989
• Cowboys -1992 and 1993
• Broncos -1997 and 1998
• Patriots – 2003 and 2004
•  

Which NFL quarterbacks have beaten all 32 NFL teams?

Earlier this season, Brady joined the small list of quarterbacks to have a victory against all 32 NFL teams after defeating the New England Patriots in Week 4, joining Drew Brees, Brett Favre, and Peyton Manning as the only quarterbacks to accomplish that feat. Both Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger have beaten every NFL team with the exception of their current team.

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😊😊 Taking a tip from... 😊😊

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"Telling Tales"  What a warm, delightful and cozy illustration!  Friends, sitting comfortably...  Feet up on the shared stool...  One with a warm blanket across his lap/legs...  Cups of (probably) tea...   The warmth of the roaring fire, in the fire place, out of sight....  That being the only light in the room, which is fine, because they are conversing...    Something, perhaps rain or perhaps snow, falling outside the window...   The old Library, enveloping them, like a warm 'cave'...

"Snug as a bug in a rug" to quote "Nookworm", in comments on my last post.

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This blogger has the loveliest of Life Attitudes.   She keeps on enjoying life.  Finding things to delight in, daily.  She doesn't worry about the latest "How To Live Best," admonitions.   It's her life and she lives it, as she chooses.   She doesn't seem to worry about as many things, as I do.   As many, as many of us do, actually.

I appreciate her inspiration!

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I'm now going to mention Pro Football, and if you don't like it, I understand.   We happen to have had a lot of fun, following Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.   

It is now, nearly the end of the Post Season Playoffs.  (Which are beyond us, to figure out, but...)   Last night, Aaron Rogers and Green Bay lost.    A surprising upset, of a long time, excellent quarterback. 

Today Tom Brady and the Buccaneers play, to continue having a chance to play in the Super Bowl.

I will have fun, watching the game.   I will hope they win.  I would love to see him go to the Super Bowl again.

But I will not be sooo sad, if they do not win.

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Thus, taking a tip from "Nookworm"   .  I think that is the way she would approach this, if she was a football watcher.  -smile-

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❄❄ "Winter is...." ❄❄

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"Winter is a season of recovery and preparation." ~ Paul Theroux

I love this quote and the message it gives.

But so far, this Winter has not seemed to give time, to 'recover' and 'prepare.'

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It seems to have been filled with this issue and that issue and the other issue, to be dealt with.   With hardly any time in between, to sigh and put my feet up and hibernate.

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Am I the only one, who has seemed to experience this kind of a winter.....?    One, not of rest and coziness and contemplation and hibernation?

But rather, one of this, after this, after this, after this....  To leave me unsettled, rather than rested and content...

Am I the only one...?

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😊💗 Yesssssssss 💗😊

Our new overhead garage door is installed!!!!!!

Yessssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!

~Happy Dance~

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🔥 Snow 🔥 And 🔥 Mys 🔥

Well, I am getting my snow!    

But it prevented our garage door, from being replaced today.

Ahhhhh but this garage door replacement is continuing to be a *Saga,* and not a good one.   But I'll spare you the details.

This photo shows falling snow, even better than my Header and above.   ❄

This is a picture someone lifted from a lovely Instagram.  "My Little Red House"  ...Another beautiful Net place, from Sweden.   In that country, they really know how to make a kitchen cozy, in their long, dark winters.

Do you know of Mys?  I didn't till today.

 

"Denmark introduced the world to hygge , the national pursuit of all things cozy and enjoyable.

In Sweden, where the winters are even longer, darker and drearier, the concept is called mys (pronounced mees) — or the adjectival mysigt. And although the terms are very similar, Swedish mys refers more pointedly to an ultra-cozy atmosphere. "

"Ways to experience Mys in daily life...

•  Dim the lights and light candles whilst you are watching TV
•  Buy some solar fairy lights to put around your bed
•  Invite your family round for a big family dinner and dress the table nicely with candles
•  On a Sunday morning, take your cup of coffee back to bed
•  Invite your best friend round, bring the duvet from your bed and huddle together on the sofa watching a movie
•  When it is raining, sit by the window in a big jumper and listen to the sound
•  Light a roaring fire on a cold night
•  Avoid harsh ceiling lights or spotlights and instead light your rooms with smaller table lamps
•  Wear big woollen socks on a cold day in your house
•  Grab your favourite book and curl up in an armchair"

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Soooooooo.....   I know know about Mys!!!!!  -smile-
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Ohhh, and tonight is the Full Wolf Moon!     I love that name!!!!!

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🌲 January...Stuff... 🌲

I love to look at pictures of 'After Christmas' decorating.  I would be delightful to have an accumulation of 'January Decor,' to take out.   -smile-

 

 But I don't...    I don't choose to spend that much money.  Nor do I want to have to store any more 'Decorations,' than I already do.    In fact I have gotten rid of much.  If it isn't used, it goes.   If it's too much, to bring up and down, it goes.  

 

One thing I am noticing in these photos is...   So much permanent background of white!    What if you don't live in a nearly totally white house?
 

These things, including the dog, are cozy and adorable.  But I don't have white walls.   Me-thinks these staged photos, are made easy, by placing them in all white backgrounds.  But, what good does this do, for normal people???  -grin-

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"Winter blues are cured every time with a potato gratin paired with a roast chicken." - Alexandra Guarnaschelli.

"That grand old poem called Winter." - Henry David Thoreau.

"Leaving a bookstore is hard, especially on a day in January, when the ice is treacherous, the wind is blowing, and the books inside seem to gather together in colorful warmth."- Jane Smiley.

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🌲 Snow ~ Hooray 🌲 Grumble 🌲

Ice on pool fence, just outside our patio door.   At bottom is a flower planter, which filled with rain and froze solid.

Looking down, from patio door...  On left, steps to pool...  Then looking to right, is back patio...  Sprinkling of snow cover, on ice....  Tonight/Fri. will be -2 °F.    Tomorrow/Sat. will be High of 11 °F.     Sat. night will be  -4 °F.     Coooold, yes.    And Sunday night and Monday, we are supposed to get snow. 

It's Winter in the Upper North East!  😊 

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Annnnd, our garage door is supposed to be put in, on Monday.   ❓❓❓❓

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Seems like weather, for this type of meal, above.

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I'm still grumpy, because this Week of Crap-O-La just seems to go on and on and on.   Wish I could say that the weekend, I can drop all things-that-have-to-be-done and sink into January Hibernation.  But....   Still have another project "hanging over my head."   Grumble-grumble-grumble-   Know what?   I just might say PHOOOIE!    Put it off till Monday!   -grin-

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