It took a long time to clean up after Don took the tree outside. I’m afraid we left it too long. Even though we wrapped a sheet around the top of the tree, it didn’t extend to the widest section, so needles and bits of branches kept dropping to the floor and on tables, furniture, etc. I vacuumed for a very long time on Saturday. Meanwhile, it snowed all day, so we had to go out and shovel and snowblow.

We vowed to take it easy yesterday. And we did. What we didn’t expect was more snow falling – all day long. I don’t know how many inches are on the ground. At the end of the day Saturday, there were 5 inches on the ground. So I imagine there is now at least 8 – 10 inches.

So it’s back outside today to do more shoveling and snowblowing.

This one was taken from our bedroom window. This has been the snowiest and coldest winter we’ve had in several years.

Yes, as of last night, the temps have dropped and we will have frigid temperatures all week long. Yippee.

And to top it all off, I woke up at 4:30 this morning. And I went right into my worry, dark mode. I slipped out of bed and came downstairs to make some coffee. I imagine I’ll take a long nap this afternoon.

I have some sad news to share. I was thinking of longtime reader of this blog, Chris K., over the weekend. If you remember she had RSV and had to recover in a nursing home for a while. I checked and the last comment she made on this blog was September 20, 2024. So I did some searching and, unfortunately, I found her obituary. She died on October 11, 2024 – just a few weeks after her comment. The obituary says she passed away suddenly after a brief illness. Heartbreaking. I wanted to let you know as many of you had interactions with her in the comments and she was a big part of the conversations on this blog. Here is the link to her obituary. What an extraordinary person she was. Rest in Peace, Chris.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

The Christmas tree is coming down today. We’ve really pushed it to its limit this year –  it’s dry as a bone. We’ll have to wrap it in a sheet so that Don can take it outside, otherwise it will be a real mess around here. This morning, I didn’t turn the lights on and that was a sign. Time to go.

It snowed overnight, about an inch. (I’m over snow – it has lost its charm.) Don is outside right now, clearing the driveway. After I finish this post, I’ll remove the lights from the Christmas tree.

We’re keeping the feather tree up for a while. I took all the Christmas ornaments off and packed them away. I used some neutral ornaments and the acorn ornaments that I have. I suppose I’ll have to come up with something for February. I’m not a big Valentine’s Day person…

I cannot take any more news right now. I checked in this morning and I had the overwhelming sense that I need to take a break. Don had that same sense. So we’re checking out. Time to create and clean and play music and whatever else needs to be done.

We watched Cinema Paradiso  last night. I think it has officially become our favorite movie. Life affirming, beautifully done – a love letter to movies and the cinema.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

This morning, I told Don that I should just write these words in my post.

“The world is shitty and we’re very, very angry.

Abolish Ice.

And here’s a picture of some cute dolls.”

That about sums it up.

I’m keeping my promise. Here is a picture of some cute dolls:

I had to get these three girls together. They are so darned cute!

I am so charmed by the Landoudou  and Little Keiko doll heads. The molds they have carved are charming. They are on the exact same body I use for many of my Blythe dolls, but the difference in head size makes it seem as if the body is smaller.

I want get some more eventually – when they are offered again. They’re usually only available once a year when they are offered for preorder and then you have to wait for 5 months or so to receive them. I have a little dream: a cubby full of them.

And, here is Prudence:

I had a not-so-pleasant experience this week concerning a Dragonfly Blythe doll (which Pru is) that had been ‘promised’ to me. I won’t go into the details, but she was the only Blythe on my wish list and I was led to believe that whenever the owner wanted to put her up for adoption, I was first in line. But since the owner originally overpaid for her, she wanted that same amount of money and I knew that Ola, the now retired customizer of these dolls, never sold dolls for that amount of money. It’s the principle of the thing, I guess, and the very real fact that money is always an issue. So, I said no. And then, I cried a little. Don told me to go for it, but I felt disappointed in the way she had handled it the whole thing. It left a bad taste in my mouth. Hopefully, one day I will find another redheaded Dragonfly Blythe. I really don’t want or need any other Blythes. I have enough.

Ah well. My little doll world has its strife, too.

Speaking of that, a Blythe friend who lives in St. Paul, posted photos of ICE rampaging through her neighborhood, which is not that far from where the Governor lives. Shocking, disgusting, enraging. She, bless her, is delivering food, etc. to those who are afraid to leave their houses.

THIS MUST STOP.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.