Tis a good day for us, 'cuz the little fuzzy one returned.  He'd been to the spa for grooming, so he's set for the holidays.  We're anxious to have him with us in our little celebrations this month.    

Just read that the 2023 forever postage stamp is going from 60 to 63 cents.  Can remember sitting by the kitchen table writing over 100 Christmas cards and holiday letters.  In 1967, the year we got married, the cost of a first class stamp was 5 cents.  In 1968, the price went up to 6 cents.  To mail 100 Christmas cards in 1967 cost $5.00.  To send 100 Christmas cards today with postage still at 60 cents would cost $60.  

My plan was to decorate the entry to our unit today, but didn't get around to it.  A sweet girl brought us a gorgeous Christmas wreath she fashioned from real evergreen decorated with pine cones from Colorado.  It looks beautiful on our deck railing.

The Spirit of the Season

 Today's post will be a gold-star commercial for Applebee's current sizzling skillets, 'specially the chicken and shrimp scampi served sizzling hot with mashed potatoes and broccoli.  Have to say it was the best meal eaten at a restaurant in a very long time.  

Cuddy's parents treated us to this special outing.  If the meal wasn't enough, we also shared the Blonde Brownie Dessert.  There aren't words to adequately describe what that was like, so will simply share the photo we took before diving into it.

This was absolutely the most divine dessert I've ever tasted.  And, right now I'm drooling just looking at the photo.  

NEW PICTURE ON THE WALL

A safe trolley home after a delightful day spent with the boyfriend's family.  Have one little great-niece that loves to cuddle beside me, and that warms my heart beyond words.  Turkey was served with all the traditional side dishes.

Dessert was an over-the-moon pumpkin pie made with a graham cracker crust topped with pecans and caramel sauce, topped with pumpkin pie and whipped cream.  Lord knows, I could've easily taken a second piece, but my manners meter told me to stay within the boundaries.  As I sip this morning's cuppa, I can only imagine how a piece of that pie would taste right now.

On our way, we stopped at a thrift store in a southern Minnesota town and were greeted with the words, "Everything's half price today!"  Found three books and a picture that I instantly knew had to be mine, 'specially when I read the words "Grant me the wisdom."   We got money back from a $5 bill.  It's been awhile since I've been in a thrift store, so it was a fun break on our journey northward.  Could've bought more things, but my possession meter curbed more purchases.

Today this framed picture replaces another in the master bedroom.  The one that came down from the wall is going to our local thrift store to be passed on to another owner.  That's how I roll these days.  Buy one thing, get rid of one thing.  That maintains a nice balance, and that way things don't start owning us.  

Tomorrow we're going with Cuddy's parents to Applebee's for lunch.  We're looking forward to that.  It's another sweet little holiday celebration.  We treasure each invitation to be with our friends, and that's how our holiday season is celebrated.  We're invited to join the G-clan for their Christmas on the 23rd of December.  I volunteered to take charge of a silly gift exchange.  With inflation, I'm thinking the dollar limit will have to go to $1.25 this year.  Now I have to think of some fun idea on what the gifts will be.  Guess I have a reputation for dreaming up fun ways of exchanging gifts, because my volunteering was quickly made into reality.  

Weather today is gorgeous for this time of year.  Yesterday we did see some small patches of snow that haven't yet melted, but for the most part the snow's gone.  

Just realized that I have an eye appointment tomorrow at 1 o'clock that's gonna have to be postponed cuz of our Applebee's date.  This is a 6-week appointment, and that makes me realize how fast these last six weeks have gone.  In that amount of time we'll have to remember to write 2023, rather than 2022.  Boy, when a person thinks we were born in the 1940s, the calendar year feels daunting.  

Leftovers are still in the fridge, so neither of us will need to cook today.  Makes me wonder what life was like before the microwave.  Reheating food is easy-peasy.  Wonder what my beloved Gramma would think of me and my microwave, when all she had was a wood stove.  Advancements have made life much easier for us, and for the progress I'm grateful.  

Till the morrow.......  

The fuzzy one returned to his home last evening.  His daddy joined us for a couple of sips and chili supper.  This morning there's a void in our home the size of an elephant, left by a 20-pound Bichon.  Best part is he's returning this coming Thursday for another 10-day stay.  

We're off to Winona today for Thanksgiving dinner number two.  The weather is ideal for a trolley to the north.  Snow is in next week's forecast, but time will reveal the accuracy of that prediction.  

Yesterday afternoon Cuddy and I cuddled in for a long afternoon nap.  Family drama sets the stage for my mental fatigue.  It's amazing how one's body knows when it's time to shut itself down.  Kind of like a battery that needs recharging.

Today's post will be short, nothing newsworthy to write about.  Tis time to shower and get dressed.  It's a 1-1/2 hour drive, and the car needs gas before we embark.  We take a route with some curvy, but scenic, roads.  Will be a fine outing for us.

We celebrated yesterday at one nephew's home, and tomorrow we'll celebrate at the other nephew's home.  How blessed are we!

A table of food fit for a king and queen.  Turkey was deep fried, served alongside a platter of prime rib au jus.  All the trimmings and more.  Thank heaven for elastic, that's all I've gotta say.  They sent leftovers home with us.  

Cuddy spent the day with his gramma and twin aunties.  We had a nice visit with them when we dropped him off and then again when we picked him up.  They sent home with us four squash, which we just love.  The squash isn't a butternut, but looks like a tiny version of it.  Guess they're very sweet tasting.  The twins cut the squash into cubes with raw cranberries, pecans and brown sugar and bake them in a casserole.  Can't wait to fix 'em for the two of us.  A true gesture of giving on Thanksgiving Day.

It's my personal tradition to read The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus after Thanksgiving every year.  It's kinda my way of transitioning from one holiday to the next.  The book was written in 1902 by L. Frank Baum, author of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. 

Darkness had set in on our way home yesterday, so we enjoyed Christmas lights and displays that were already in place.  The time of year has arrived when our world lights up, families unite, and an air of peace on earth prevails.  It's a time to be cherished and remembered.

The sun's shining, and my jeweled suncatchers have rainbows scattered on the walls and ceilings.  I'm in my Cuddl Duds sipping coffee, sharing my thoughts with my readers.  Memories of yesterday make me warm and fuzzy inside.  There's nothing on earth that soothes the soul like contentment.  Nothing more do I treasure than The Magical World of Contentment where petty dramas don't exist.  

Gotta share a funny story.  We parked our car in nephew's driveway yesterday.  We waited to put our hearing aids in until we got there.  In the process, we dropped both pairs between the front seats onto the floor.  Well, you know what a tight squeeze it is between the seat and the consul.  It was one of life's unexpected catastrophes that can only be created by two older people in an attempt to better their infirmities.  After a frantic search, all four aids were found.  That's when my boyfriend looked at his nephew and said the funniest thing......."If I happen to die, don't feel bad!"  It was a joke, but I knew exactly how he felt.  It was the kind of statement that screamed of the struggle that accompanies old age.  When we got in the house and I put my aids in my ears, I proceeded to adjust them with the app on my phone.  For whatever reason, they wouldn't connect, so I couldn't turn up the volume.  Don't know how many times I had to ask others to repeat themselves.  I cringe at what lies ahead.

Can imagine how busy the stores are today, with it being Black Friday.  We no longer exchange gifts, but rather share meals or homemade treats with neighbors.  Kids nowadays prefer gift cards, which, to my way of thinking, just doesn't have the personal touch of giving, but more like fulfilling an obligation to give something.    I have to remind myself that it's a new era, everything changes from generation to generation, the old ways are replaced with the new.  We can, however, always claim rightful ownership to our era. 

Stay safe and enjoy the leftovers.  To me, leftovers help me relive the blessing of the main meal, those who sat around the table with me, and the joy of spending a day with children who will claim this as their time.  We all eventually pass the torch on and relinquish our hold.  It is what it is.

A huge flock of Canadian Geese are flying northward as I look out our window.  Their V-formations make me think of the Great Spirit's ways of taking care of his creatures.  The weather is nice for a walk, and the neighborhood puppies have been walking more today than usual.  All the snow has melted, and we're back to the brown landscape.

We're trekking to our nephew's home for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.  He and his wife have two little girls.  Thought it would be nice to make a bracelet for each of them.  One is pink and one blue, designed with the beads in the stash.  Memory wire bracelets are the best to give away, as they stretch to fit the wearer's wrist.  Could sit and make jewelry and sun catchers all day every day, but then what to do with it.  Regardless, this afternoon was fun.

We're taking Cuddy to his gramma's house while we're gone tomorrow.  I've gotten fairly possessive of him, but it's gotta be.  His gramma is a dear soul, but she's elderly and none of us want her taking him outside to do his business.  We'll be back home mid-afternoon if we go mid-morning.  Our nephew, I know, will have the makings for Bloody Mary's....I just know him, and he knows how I love 'em when we all get together.

Just put a poppy seed cake in the oven.  Will fix the lemon pudding frosting in the morning before we go.  I've got all my have-tos and want-tos finished.  

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday, but personally I celebrate Thanksgiving every single day.  So much to be thankful for, and even to thank for the things we were kept safe from happening to us.  With that said, I send out to my faithful followers my prayers and wishes for a beautiful day of thanking and giving.  I'm thankful that you are part of my daily silliness.  As I wrote in my November Venny newsletter.....be sure to set your scales back 10 pounds and enjoy the meal that has been prepared with love.

Ta-ta.  Be safe.

Last night's dreams took me back to the days that I remember with giggles in my heart, yet I can't help but wonder if those days were actually as I saw them through my little girl's eyes.  Have always wondered about the old saying "those were the days."  Were they really all that wonderful, or do we add and subtract from them according to our personal wishes.  Who knows.

One dream took me fishing, and my brother bought me a brand new pole.  I was SO incredibly happy, and I snagged a sheephead the first throw.  I threw the fish back, but after talking with some guy (unknown in real life) about the pearl-like stones found in the cheek of the sheephead, I wished I'd not have thrown it back in the water.  Where on earth are these memories stored?  How can our minds remember things from years and years back?  Is it possible for our computer-like minds to have simply evolved?  

Dreams are the craziest.  How does our mind manufacture them while the rest of us is sound asleep?  Why do we remember some of them so vividly that they never go away from our memory?  While others simply dissolve into nothingness and don't bother to ever return?

Today our great-niece is coming over to visit.  We're going to have lunch here together.  She is on a doctor-prescribed gluten-free eating plan, so we're fixing a chicken and rice casserole.  Rice is gluten-free.  Won't make a dessert for us.....even though we're known to love-love-love our desserts.  I want to adhere to the plan as prescribed so as to help, rather than hinder her efforts.  We're looking forward to spending time with our dear heart.  It's especially nice with Cuddy here, cuz she adores the canine cuties.  

I remember the time she and her momma spent the night at our house, and we gave the girls our bed upstairs to sleep in.  They asked if our little Emma could sleep with them.  Emma loved the girls and was more than willing.  After about a half hour we were called to the scene of the accident.  Yup, Emma knew darned well the two girls didn't belong in our bed, so she did what she never ever did......she peed on our bed.  OMG, what a circus that was.  We were all tired, so I put a thick bath towel over the wet bed and told 'em all to go to sleep.  Those are the memories that make us giggle years later.  

Puppy pee doesn't really upset puppy owners.  A cousin once called it "sugar water."  Our undying memories of our Emma bring us joy even yet.  Cuddy is a spitting image of her, except that he's a little boy.  Otherwise, they're identical.  Except their personalities.  Emma was a terrorist.  Cuddy is an angel.  Go figure.  The boyfriend used to say that Emma took after me.  

Best get my rear in gear, shower, and get in the kitchen.  Am going to make some bacon-covered chestnuts for us, too.  That will be a gluten-free addition, plus we have Granny Smith Apples and bananas to cut into pieces.  My tendency always is to make too much food.  That habit goes way back to childhood when mom cooked for farmers, and big meals were the daily norm.  Guess we best not complain about the blessing of a lifetime of good food served by a loving mother.  Back then, they showed us their love through the foods they made.  Guess one could say that we're keeping that tradition alive today by preparing a meal for our darling great-niece.  

The sun's shining.  Temps have warmed up a bit.  Cannot help but think about the residents in New York who received an avalanche of 7 feet of snow.  That's a massive amount of white stuff to descend upon the earth.  Just imagine removing that much snow to return daily life to normalcy.  

Gotta kick it into gear here.  Ta-ta til the morrow. 

The little white cherub wanted off the bed at 4:30 this morning.  Like an obedient caretaker, I put him on the floor, and from there proceeded to the couch.  At 6:30, he insisted on taking a walk with the other in-house caretaker.  I turned over, covered my head with a blanket and slept till 9:30 when the little white cherub insisted my sleep time was over.  Might the roles be reversed here?  Absolutely.  I just don't wear a collar and have visible leash!

The doorbell rang yesterday afternoon, and our next-door neighbor gifted us with a poinsettia plant.  Awwww........  Tis time for the pretty red flowers to adorn our world.  It would be a challenge to see if I could keep the poinsettia plant alive until next Christmas.  Never had the urge to do that before, but instead tossed the plants when time took away their beauty.

The sun is shining on Mabel and Zebrina.  I love how our home faces the east, and the girls can absorb the sun's penetrating sustenance.  We watch the sun come up and rainbows appear after a rain.  A couple years back I stood on our balcony and took a photo of my neighbor standing on her balcony taking a photo of a double rainbow.  

Watched a few high profile interrogations on YT yesterday.  Also live camera recordings of law enforcement stopping vehicles and pressing charges.  Boggles the mind how people try to lie their way out of a traffic stop.  Even in the interrogation room, the detectives are skilled at knowing when they are hearing the truth and when they're not.  It can take hours and hours before the bad guys crack and admit the truth.  Then there are those who never do.  It's interesting how people with titles and a string of letters after their name think they're above the law and belong to a category of non-accountability.  Arrogance is the sin of superiority, so it is said.

The sky is blue with a couple light fuzzy clouds passing through the sky that's visible through our window.  Who ever would've guessed that life would slow down to where I could watch the clouds and not feel guilty for pressing the pause button.  

Ta-ta til the morrow.  Stay warm and safe.  Don't forget to look up and see the movable feast that's passing by in the sky!   

The dental clinic called to remind me of Monday's dental appointment.  My late-life tendency to procrastinate took over and rescheduled it for the end of May.  My mind tells me that if I brush, floss and have no problems.....well, that's the rationale of my decision.  

The three of us had a lazy day.  Very light snow fell off and on, so pretty to watch.  On days like this, thinking of something to write about is difficult.  We're having a simple supper of hamburgers and potato chips.  Easy peasy.

The boyfriend tackled the small closet which we made into our pantry.  When Covid hit, we bought groceries and other necessities, and that's when the pantry was born.  When I was a little girl, and we lived in the old 3-story stone house, we had a pantry by our kitchen.  To me, they're the most sensible part of a kitchen.  It took a lot of years, but now we have a pantry!

Looks like we're in for colder temps.  Stay warm and cozy. 

We're up early cuz my little baby bubba wanted to get up.  The boys took their morning outing, and now we're up and bubba is asleep in his bed.  Gotta love it!  

Snow falls lightly as I type this.  For us, it's the perfect ambiance for a Cuddl Dud Day.  The snow is lightly accumulating on the deck, making my Adirondack chair look like something left behind from another era.  That's as fast as the seasons change.  It's totally winter.

The boyfriend went downtown for groceries yesterday and brought back Kwik Star chicken for supper.  Eight pieces for $10.  Store-bought french fries went in the oven on a cookie sheet.  Delish and simple....simply delish.

Think we must be getting old, cuz homemade soup is becoming more and more appealing.  When we were kids, about the only soups we had were chicken noodle, vegetable or ham and bean.  Nowadays Pinterest has oodles of fun recipes for us to try.  Got a recipe for cheeseburger soup that's supposed to be really good, but haven't made it.  Now that winter's here, soups will be on the supper menu.

Cuddy's primary caretakers called last evening, and we agreed that our custody will extend now beyond Thanksgiving.  On the 28th, weather permitting, they're taking us to Applebee's for lunch.  We're looking forward to that.  I've seen Applebee's ads for some yummy food specials now.  

Today's agenda is open.  Will pay two bills online and that's about it.  Yesterday when watching the sentencing hearing, the defense attorneys bugged me to the point where I stopped watching.  Will see what transpires today.  I ask myself, what are the chances the jury will decide the death penalty for the murder of one person, when another Florida jury just decided life without parole for the school shooter who murdered 17 and injured 17. 

For Sharon

In case Sharon is reading this.......hope you have a happy birthday today.  Please tell my "little radish" that I'm sending him a cuddle hug and will meet him down by the radish patch later!!!!!!!  (giggling)

Ta-ta till the morrow. 

 

Written on Tuesday:  Woke up this morning to a white covering of snow.  

Last two days have been watching another Florida murder trial.  The jury returned the verdict of guilty of first degree murder after deliberating for only one hour and eleven minutes.  The next phase is the sentencing, with both sides bringing witnesses.  

We inherited a table-top artificial tree, an evergreen for the front door plus several evergreen with pinecone sprays from our Venny neighbor.  Strings of red lights are up on our deck railing.  The Christmas decorations won't go up until after Thanksgiving Day.  I still live by the old-fashioned tradition of honoring each holiday in its own time.  Putting Christmas trees up before Halloween robs Halloween and Thanksgiving of their importance. 

Got my hair chopped off today.  Short pixie.  Asked my stylist if there's something  a person can use to put a little funky color in an old lady's gray hair.  She was quick to say there's Hair Chalk that can be applied with the fingers for a touch of fun.  Want to have a lavender tint in a couple places.  That's the latest craziness skipping inside my brain. 

My hair stylist asked my favorite music.  Told her it was classical piano.  With her phone, she turned on soothingly delicious piano.  Now, how thoughtful was that!

Written on Wednesday:  Woke up to a titch more snow, 'nuf to cover the parking lot, sidewalks and lawns.  In my opinion, snow disguises the world with its whiteness.....the world's violence and disrespect is anything but pure.

Today's agenda is much like yesterday's.  The slate is clean and open for me to watch the Florida sentencing hearing.  Looking back, I felt the luckiest girl in the world to being able to watch an hour of Perry Mason on a black and white television.  Now, I sit with my laptop watching an entire trial as it's happening in another part of the U.S..  What an amazing journey my life has been, and I'm filled with gratitude to have experienced the changes. 

Cuddy is still at our house, haven't heard anything from his other custody keepers.  He's my baby-bubba.  At 3 a.m. he wanted off the bed, was thirsty, and then got into his little puppy bed.  I accommodated his wishes and covered myself with a blanket and slept till morning with him in the living area.  The little guy isn't quite used to going potty in the snow, but he's a dear soul that never puts up a fuss.  

Finished reading Plato's Dialogues.  A pretty heavy read, for sure.  Like with every book, the reader learns something new and stretches the scope of knowledge.  The thought of leaving my beloved favorite books behind one day kills me, knowing they'll more than likely be tossed in a dumpster.  Best not to think about stuff that hurts.  

Best get to my cuppa.  Till the morrow, ta-ta.

Yesterday Venny friends included us in a daycation of lunch and shopping.  Their treat celebrating the boyfriend's birthday.  Couldn't help remembering his 40th birthday and the foot of snow that basically destroyed the surprise party that I'd planned for months prior.  That was one of many life events that taught me someone other than me was in control of what happens and what's gonna happen.  Lessons like that help us learn life the hard way.

Hadn't been in a grocery store for a long time, so bought some things at Sam's Club, Aldi's and Woodsman's.  Bought stuff that the local stores don't have on their shelves, like a tin box of Italian cookies for the holidays.  Everything and anything Italian rates high in my book of favorites.  

Rained a bit while we were out and about, but the temp was still warm then.  Later in the afternoon the cold set in.  Had a fun time, with laughs, delicious buffet lunch and safe travels.  Think I watch too many real-life videos of law enforcement highway stops that find drugs and drugged drivers that are on the highways.  Am always happy to get home without incident.  Lots of drivers are found with cocaine, heroine, weed and paraphernalia inside their vehicles.  

Any and all things related to law and its enforcement draw me to them like a magnet.  Guess where a person spends their life is likely to do that.  

..........The doorbell rang.  A Venny friend hand-delivered two pieces of divine peach dessert with whipped cream for dessert tonight.  

The boyfriend brought up a surprise for our kitchen.  Made a cutting board to replace the plastic one we've been using.  I had no idea he was making it, and it will join the other pieces he's made for our home.  Don't know what it is about cutting boards, but I just love 'em.  Months back bought a marble board that I use to roll dough on and  as an appetizer serving tray.  That one is too precious to use for everyday cutting of vegetables.  Kinda silly how a person elevates our possessions to levels of hierarchy.  

Dale spent the afternoon in the workshop putting stain on two name plates he carved for a gal out here.  She's flying to Florida for Thanksgiving and wants to take them along with her.  

Our close friends who live here are leaving for Arizona this Thursday and will be gone until spring.  They're driving, so we'll stay behind and pray for their safe travels.  

It's time once again to write my newsletter article and am having a rough time deciding on a topic.  Should probably be something related to Thanksgiving, but I like to throw the cards in the air and come up with something other than the expected.  Think we all need pizazz sprinkled on our paths.  

All else is pretty much as usual.  Till the morrow, ta-ta. 

Absolutely no idea what to write about today.  Woke up to a bright sunny Monday. 

Received photos and videos of Carlsbad Cavern from Cuddy's parents.  Brought back ever-so fond memories of when we were there.  Remember I'd just bought a brand new pair of boots in Texas and wore them for the hike down into the cave.  Thank heaven there was an elevator to bring us back up.  Such an amazing place.

It's been a nice, quiet day here.  Meatloaf and baked potatoes are in the oven.  It's 4:45 p.m. and already darkness is creeping in.  

Tomorrow is the day we vote.   

Contrary to yesterday's daybreak, today is overcast.  A stillness gives the impression that life has ceased, but then a sweet sparrow flies by.  

Neglected to put Systane eye ointment in both eyes last night, and today they feel very dry and gritty.  Difficult to see the screen and read the words on the page.  The good part is that I've discovered the trick to my eye problems.  The tiny tube of nighttime eye ointment is quite pricey, but now I know why. 

Today my heart is light and happy, thinking of yesterday's celebration of Thanksgiving with friends.  The perfect menu of turkey, ham, real mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberries, rolls, pecan pie and pumpkin cream cheese pie.  The main ingredient, however, was the genuine friendship that encircled the table and its autumnal setting.  

Today the boyfriend is heading to the grocery store to replenish the cupboard.  Me and my fuzzy love bug are staying home, cuddling in on this gloomy day.  It's gloomy to sight, but not to the heart.  Days when the clouds hang heavy are days of reflection for me.  My mind and body surrender to the calm and the quiet.  The walkers are indoors, except for when they walk their pets.  Looks very much like snowflakes could fall.  

Received an email last evening asking if I'd be interested in making more comfort crosses for the residents of the rest home.  When Covid closed the rest homes and the residents were quarantined, I stopped making the crosses.  I'm very pleased to have been asked to resume my project, and more pleased with the recognition of how much comfort my crosses bring to those who are nearing the end.  To me, that's a critical part of the life journey.  When babies are about to be born, there's anticipation and gender reveal parties.  Not so when the door to life is closing.  My heart bleeds for those forgotten souls whose passing will make no ripple in another's life.

Think maybe I'll choose to watch a movie while the other half is shopping.  Right now the fuzzy one is laying by me in the recliner, snuggled beneath his daddy's t-shirt.  It's sort of his security blanket.  It's sweet when he puts his head on the shirt and goes to sleep.  

It's once again Friday, and Sunday, the 6th, we set our clocks back an hour.  It's funny how we humans try to control things.  This time stuff is so silly, cuz the only thing that actually changes is the clock.  

BREAK OF DAY

It's 8 o'clock as my fingers hit the keys this morning.......a glorious break of day awaited me.

Photo taken from our balcony

Have not posted for a few days, because I've followed the Parkland Florida School Shooter's sentencing.  All of my personal reactions to the four-month-long sentencing hearing were spot on....as one by one the victim family members addressed the killer for the last time.  The victim families were under such rigid rules during the four months, and with a life-sentence verdict for killing 17 and injuring 17, they let the killer know his claim of fame is now over.  

Honestly, this had to be the most dramatic courtroom behavior I've ever seen.  One of the defense lawyers flipped the bird on the judge.  The judge was so strong in her demeanor so as not to give the defense an excuse for a mistrial.  For those of us who thrive on courtroom drama in the movies and books, this real-life circus should have had an admittance fee.  

Well, Mabel is blossoming.

Dark pink blossom lower front

Interesting to note that as Mabel sits in front of the balcony door, only half of her gets the sun.  Only that half of her is filled with buds.  Note to self:  either turn the plant around or put the whole thing in the sun.  Dah!

Today is a special day for us.  First, Cuddy returns at 9 a.m. with his suitcase for another 2-week vacation at his private resort.  I absolutely cannot wait for my cuddly little Cuddy to be returned to our custody.  Our home isn't complete without him.

At 1 o'clock we're invited to a Friendsgiving dinner hosted by our friends' daughter, who's home from out east.  Our friends live down the hall from us.  Have been reading about this newly named holiday---Friendsgiving---growing in popularity.  We are honored to have received this invitation.  Our friends will be leaving for Arizona in a couple of weeks.  It's funny how a person is content when everyone is tucked away in their homes, and when they leave there's a definite void.  The older I've gotten the more I've turned into a homing pigeon.

While I've been away from the keys, I've been updated on my estranged family's situation.  Personally don't care for the word 'estranged,`' but its definition applies: "having lost former closeness and affection:  in a state of alienation from a previous close or familial relationship."  I make note of this only for the purpose of my blogs being published into a book that records my life, day to day.  

This is the month where we are given a holiday to stop to say thank you for all the goodness we receive.  That's not an annual event for me, but rather daily.  Never does my head hit the pillow without a thank you to My Creator.  I thank My Creator for the good, the bad and the ugly, because everything does make sense in the end.  That's why my personal life philosophy includes a Divine Plan.  It's my opinion that our free will is part of that plan.  Each of our worlds opens up like a lotus flower as the years go by.  Despite all the pain, looking backward I choose to remember and focus on only the good.  And, there's been tons and tons of good.  It's just that the bad and the ugly hurt so much, they make dents that magnify their importance.

Best get going here, cuz the little fuzz bucket will soon be arriving.  Want to get his water bowl out and fill it with cold water.  He's a drinker, you know.  His Heart Guard and flea and tick meds were left here last time and he takes them the first of each month.  I put them on the table so I can give them to him this morning.  

It's good to be back.  Until the morrow, ta-ta.