Happy New Year's Eve!

 Here it is, my final blog of the year.  2021 has been a long year.  I wrote a little personal review of my year and posted it in my Odds and Ends blog.

Here are some happy things from today:

• For the last few weeks I have been moving around a bag I have that contains some coloring books and colored pencils.  Today I finally colored a little.  I find that coloring can be very relaxing and calming.  

Just a little bit of color so far.

• There are now five books that I am in the middle of 'reading'.  Two of them are misplaced, one sits on my bed (where I want them to be), one is an audiobook on my phone and the last I downloaded onto my phone's Kindle app this morning and read the first chapter.  Reading is good.  Finding the ones I misplaced would be better.  :) 
• I did a revamp of my bucket list.  I have been working on it off and on for a few weeks.  The link still works, but that links to a spreadsheet that organizes things better.  Ideally more things will be checked off in the coming year.  Or just go to the spreadsheet if you're interested.
• Keziah had a “Toast the New Year Jamboree” party to celebrate, in her words, “the God Janus, the Roman God of doors.” There was toast (or bread or crackers…) and jam (or jellies or compotes…) and brie (or other cheeses) as well as other things to eat. Not too many people came this year (pandemic). It made for a nice evening with a few friends. I learned a new game called Calico.

• This year the blog was Happy Footprints so it seemed fitting that I walk out back in the melting snow and get some pictures.

Probably a chipmunk or squirrel.

Turkey... in this case walking in two directions 
creating a star shape.

Deer.

Aesop, our dog.

• There were some other pretty views from the hill.

My 2022 year of happy things will be found at this address.  I thought about leaving Blogger, but I am rather used to this site and didn't make the time to explore others.  

Happy New Year!

☮

Currently reading: Faith Hacker, by James ‘Jim’ Wilcox.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

The Last Monday of 2021

 Another lazy day for me.  I did get my step count in and clear the snow off the car.  I also played on Gideon's Switch to do that exercise game.  That game might be designed for kids, but I am feeling it in my arms and having fun.  Other happy things for today include:

• I might have seen a junco.  Even if it wasn't, the thought that the birds are probably around for winter made me happy.  There were birds singing outside, behind the screen and branches, and as I tried to get closer it left my line of vision.  I think the birds in the picture are sparrows.

• The clouds had muted colors and looked like a soft fluffy blanket.

• That game of Gideon's on the Switch?  Gideon is really enjoying it too.  I'm happy that he is getting more, and different, types of movement.  He will be skiing soon and there are exercises that will help him prepare for the slopes.

☮

Currently reading: The Middle Ages: A Graphic History, by Eleanor Janega and Neil Max Emmanuel.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Hanukkah

As the first person awake this morning I got to take Aesop, the dog, out for a little walk.  I took him once around the property on the mostly frozen ground.  I considered bringing the weedeater out and working on the trails but did not.  From what I have read when the ground is frozen is the best time to take down trees as it does less damage to the ground.  I'm not planning to take down trees at this point.  It is a good time to burn brush though, once there is snow on the ground.

Morning sun.

It was a good, contemplative walk for me.  Other happy things for today:

• Both Gideon and myself are feeling much better.
• I found Nanni, the brown tabby, on my bed asleep.  She looked as if she were a babe sucking her thumb.

• In the evening we visited some friends for some latkes and to be there when the last candle on the menorah was lit for Hanukkah.  After we played a fun game of Munchkin.  

☮

Currently reading:  The Middle Ages: A Graphic History, by Eleanor Janega and Neil Max Emmanuel.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Busy Saturday

My day began and ended with dog walks and I had a walk in the middle with a friend.  Actually, my day began with me finding both the cats on my bed and then I took the dog for a walk.  Nanni, the brown tabby, is often in my room.  Winston, the orange tabby, is not.

These cats didn't used to be so close.  I think having a dog is bringing them closer together.  Other happy things for today:

• While walking the dog I saw a pileated woodpecker.  Taking pictures while walking the dog can be hard.  This time, it didn't work. The woodpecker kept moving and so did the dog!  
• There was a bee on the back of the car.  

I really like how the picture came out.

• I went to Home Depot to look for some bulbs to plant.  I've been wanting to make some raised beds and decided to look and see what was available, maybe price things out.  They had some on clearance that were smaller than I wanted.  I looked at them and decided that if I was going to pay that much I wanted them to be bigger, but these would be easy, maybe I'd just get one.  Then I noticed another tag, looking closer it was a second, much more reduced, clearance price.  I asked the cashier to make sure I got it right, then bought six of them.  I may go back tomorrow for more.

I'd guess it took less than 15 minutes to assemble-I didn't
quite have it fully in place with this picture.
The little wooden blocks are optional.

• For a few different reasons my friend, Amy, and I weren't able to do the fire tower we had planned this weekend.  Instead, we went up the Oak Hill Fire Tower that is closer to home and familiar to me.  Great time and great views.

Some color starting in a few trees.

• A friend of Keziah's came by and visited for a while.  We also got to play games (We Didn't Playtest This at All and Snake Oil).  She was kind enough to teach us some things to help teach our dog, Aesop.  

☮

Currently reading: The Backyard Homestead Seasonal Planner, by Ann Larkin Hansen.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Swag

 On Mondays I try to get up around 4:00 AM so I am able to sleep in the afternoon to get to work Tuesday for 1:20 AM.  This morning when I looked at my phone I had a message, sent at 2:00 AM, from work offering volunteer extended time at 4:00 AM today.  I looked to see if anyone actually volunteered.  The time had changed to 5:00 AM, I guess there were no volunteers.  I thought about it, got up, got ready, and there was time for me to get there.  I went to work for five hours.  For being able to help them out one of the managers let me choose from the entire collection of swag available.  I chose a bandana.  

It is reversible,
the other side has branding.

Other happy things for today:

• I was home early enough to get more lawn mowed.  The amount we have to mow seems never ending, but we have a yard sale again this weekend so I need to get it all done.
• Keziah spent some time organizing games today with a new-to-us bookshelf.

One bookshelf is still not enough!

• One of the things I meant to do this afternoon was to shop for some work food and something to hold my glasses onto my head.  I forgot.  After a brief search I found a chain to hold my glasses around my neck if they fall off.  This is important since we are wearing masks at work now and my glasses are old and don't like to stay on over the mask.  Ideally this will mean I don't break my glasses. 

They are just a little bent.

☮

Currently reading: Backpacking: A Hedonist’s Guide, by Rick Greenspan and Hal Kahn.


Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.