That’s all I have for today. I’m praying for the people of Ukraine.

I have friends in Russia who are against this war. I have friends in Ukraine who now live in fear.

This must stop.

Peace.

Stay safe.

So close.

This sky is the tedious part of the puzzle. But I am determined to finish it today. I tried to anchor it by finding all the bats and putting them in place. Now it’s various dark clouds and sky.

Oh, we’re in a bit of a funk because the Olympics are over, as well as the two brilliant series on PBS: Around the World in Eighty Days  and All Creatures Great and Small. Impeccably done. Every detail was spot on. I could go on and on but I suspect a lot of you also feel the same way. I loved them both. “Eighty Days” ended with a bit of a teaser and I hope that means there will be second season. We know there will be a third season of “All Creatures” so we just have to be patient and wait. Tonight, we’ll start the new season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Cannot wait!

I’m also trying to be positive about winter – and failing. The snow and ice finally melted around here – it’s going to reach 60 degrees in a few days – and then the temperature will plunge 30 degrees and we can look forward to 3-5 inches of snow and ice  on Friday.

Trying hard not to do a primal scream.

Keep yourself busy, Claudia, keep yourself busy. I’m going to do some laundry today, finish the puzzle, do some cleaning, and maybe start a new puzzle.

Exciting, right?

Life has been challenging lately. A dear friend of ours awaits a heart transplant. Another friend has Alzheimer’s. Another friend is suffering from cancer and Parkinson’s Disease. Beloved family members are wrestling with some worries. It’s all there, all the time, hovering in the background. We pray in our way, which may not be the traditional way, but prayer is prayer, no matter what form it takes. A prayer for peace of mind and healing, both emotionally and physically. Sending love to everyone.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

For the past several years, we’ve kept this little cherry spinet desk closed. About two weeks ago, we were sitting on the sofa drinking coffee and we wondered if the turntable would still be workable if we opened it up. It is. And we really like seeing the little cubbies inside the desk, as well as having two levels.

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference.

Speaking of sitting on the sofa having coffee, we had our own nature program going on out the back window as we watched deer slowly crossing the back forty. My heavens, they’re beautiful.

This is my current puzzle project. I’d take a photo of it in progress, but one of the hazards of blogging during the winter months is not being able to take pictures in the hours of the dark mornings and dark-too-early evenings. It’s very limiting, which is why I struggle with finding subject matter at this time of the year.

I’m a big fan of the New York Puzzle Company. They sell all the New Yorker covers, as well as other subject matter. The House and Garden cover I just put together is theirs. This cover is theirs. And the puzzle quality is excellent.

This one is a challenge, but I like the challenge. It’s a form of meditation for me.

We had some sad news yesterday. Don came home from the grocery store and told me our favorite checker had passed away. Frank, who was 75, was the cheeriest, most joy-filled guy you could ever hope to meet. We always had great conversations with him – he was in a band, so he and Don talked music – and he never failed to brighten our day. He died, at home, of a sudden heart attack.

He is in our thoughts and we are so grateful to have known him. He truly made a difference in the lives of everyone he encountered. I can’t believe he’s gone.

It’s relative, but these days, 75 seems young to me. Too young to have left us.

We had a very slight sprinkling of snow overnight, just enough to make all the old snow look fresh and white again.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.