We had snow Saturday. Not a lot, 5 inches or so. It started in the evening and was slow to accumulate. I woke up around 3 AM and could tell it was still coming down because it was just so quiet. Not that I live in a loud place, typical nighttime noises are the occasional passing car, hooting owls, or howling coyotes. But when it is snowing, a lovely hush wraps around this old house. Chris notices it, too. It's extra peaceful.
In the morning, sweet flakes were still floating down, and something about the temperature made it so that every crystal could be seen in its own unique, frozen loveliness wherever it landed. I tried to capture a picture but could not catch the beauty as I wished I could have.
I wanted to share a few other good things that have happened recently. Last week Chris and I went to a store to pick out his birthday present. He wanted to upgrade our television set, and we picked out one he wanted. It was large. We put it on a rolling cart and paid for it, then I waited with the giant box by the door while he went to get the truck. The automatic door slid open while I waited, and a boy walked in. I am guessing he was about 10 years old. He stopped in his tracks when he saw me there. He asked, making firm eye contact, "Do you need any help?" I was startled. He wasn't a huge kid, the TV was bigger than he was, and he had no parent to encourage him to do a good deed. I thanked him most sincerely. He nodded sagely and was on his way. I'm still thinking about him.
This giant rooster is a collectible, vintage Staffordshire china figure. He was treasured by my mother. When I moved to Maine, my sister Deb sent him to live with me, and I loved having him here. But she missed him, so I sent him back to her house after a few years. Last summer, Deb found a companion piece. She wrapped up the original big guy and the new little mate and gave them to me on her last visit. They've come home to roost.
I am not the most technologically savvy person in the world, but I have adopted a few apps ("A mobile application, also referred to as a mobile app or simply an app, is a computer program or software application designed to run on a mobile device such as a phone, tablet, or watch." Wikipedia) that improve the quality of my life. One is called Goodreads. I love it because if someone recommends a book to me, I can stop on the spot and add it to my "want to read" list. Then when I am ready for a new book, I can look through that list and see if something is appealing to me at the time. It also keeps track of what I have read and allows me to set a reading goal for each year. This past year I challenged myself to read 30 books. I am pretty delighted to see that I will finish 40 books before '22 arrives.
Many years ago, a co-worker gave me a Tourtiere (French Canadian meat pie) for Christmas every year. Her mother was from Canada, and those pies were something to dream of all year long. I have tried to make one on my own, but it wasn't the same. Tonight, as I was cleaning the studio after work, there was a tap at my door. My neighbor friend was standing there with a pie box. "It's a Tourtiere," she said as she handed it to me. How good is this? The answer is SO GOOD!
While it was warming up in the oven, I poured myself a glass of wine and sat by the woodstove with my feet up. It was a pleasant way to end the day. The dogs barked, and I shushed them. Bravo looked out the door and made his, "Someone I like is here" whine. He barked and wagged. I was not expecting anyone, but the dogs were insistent. I got up, and sure enough, neighbor Penny was dropping off a tin full of homemade cookies. Gingerbread men, macaroons, sugar cookies, and more. They smell heavenly.
It goes without saying that The Owlet is a good thing. Ok, the BEST thing. This picture is of her tiny hands entwined with niece Aimee's. Sometimes when I see the baby, I am overwhelmed with such pure love I can't help but scoop her up and just breathe her in. She has added an extra layer of magic to our lives. Obviously, I knew I would love her, but the depth of emotion takes my breath away.
The Christmas season is traditionally hectic for pet groomers, and it has been for me. Rachel is on maternity leave, and I am trying hard to make all of my regular client's dogs pretty for the holiday. This means many days worked in a row and long hours. But every day, customers file in with warm, sincere holiday wishes. Some bring sweet cards. Others carry candy, wine, even gifts. Best of all, some even (thank you, Covid) give tentative hugs. I treasure all of it. My life is full of good things, especially this time of year.
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