♦ Even though we had decided “No Valentines Day Cards or Presents” Don snuck this home from the grocery store. Whenever I challenge him on buying something when we had agreed not to, he says “But I’m the guy!” As in, it’s my duty to give you something for Valentines Day. It’s a kalanchoe plant.

♦ We learned last night that Don’s stepmother died a few days ago. She was 95. They had a complicated relationship as June was ‘the other woman’ when Don was a kid, and Don’s mom, who suffered from mental illness, did not handle it well – to put it mildly. June and Lee eventually married and they were together close to 60 years or so and had three children together. It took a few years, but Don and June forged a relationship and she was always good to him. I liked her, as well. Rest in Peace, June. I like to think that Lee was waiting for her on the other side of the veil.

♦ For the past few months I have been very introspective, looking back on my actions in the past, assessing them, and regretting many. I’m a good person, but I sure haven’t handled every situation well. Decidedly not. I often react from a place of high emotion and that isn’t always the best way to react. I can be impulsive. It’s important to look back on these things with a clear eye. And to do better in the future. It seems a natural thing to reflect on things like this as we get older, though it can be uncomfortable.

♦ We watched The Red Shoes  last night on TCM. I have seen it before, but Don had not. I urged him to give it a try because I knew he would love it. It’s such an amazing story with a brilliant cast, beautiful art direction, and a gorgeous musical score. He LOVED it. It says so much about the dedication being an artist requires, along with the struggle to have a normal life. Brilliant, I think. Both of us had dreams last night based on the movie. Mine was right before I woke up and it was quite detailed. Rather than involving dance, mine was about acting. Of course. Have you ever seen it? You should!

Derek looking out at the snow.

♦ We walked yesterday, a very brisk walk, as it was quite cold out. While we were out, I purchased a smaller box from the post office for shipping an Etsy order, which I have to mail today. We’ll try to walk again today, as Don has a gig tomorrow, so we’ll not get a walk in. And then we’re due for rain.

♦ I’m halfway through the 750 page The Year of the Locust  by Terry Hayes. I have yet to read my assigned chunk of Wolf Hall  reading. Locust  is due next week and since it was just published, I doubt I’ll be able to renew it. Must finish. It’s a riveting spy thriller, so it’s not as if I have to make myself read it! I often can’t put it down.

And that’s about it!

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.