Puzzle on pause as I wait for my back to improve.

I’m not going to lie. I’m down today. I had difficulty sleeping because of back pain. I’m very saddened by the state of the world and this country. Governors using immigrants as pawns, shipping them off to blue states without explaining to them what is happening. Seeing notices about dogs about to be euthanized in shelters. People lying and cheating and saying deplorable things. The entire group of bots and racists tweeting terrible lies about Meghan Markle. They’re despicable.

Men telling women what they can and can’t do with their bodies.

A snarky comment on my sister’s blog that infuriates me.

I see this stuff every day but it seems to be hitting me especially hard today.

Where did this vileness (is that a word?) come from?

You don’t have to answer. We’ve talked about this before here on the blog.

I’m just letting you know what today is like for me. I’m a pretty positive person, so I’ll pull out of this soon.

I think I’ll lose myself in a good spy thriller. And have another cup of coffee.

Don’t worry, all is well.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Definitely a fall morning; foggy, a bit wet, as it rained this morning, leaves on the ground all over the property.

Our front lawn is SO long and it desperately needs mowing. Unfortunately, my back really suffered from driving to and from Rochester and Don’s hand is sore, so we have to wait a bit. Frankly, if it weren’t for the cars parked outside the house, it would look like no one was home. As an added bonus, raccoons got in our trash can this morning and there’s trash strewn all over the area near the shed. That hasn’t happened in a while!

I’m determined to be very careful and take it easy over the next two days before I have to zoom coach again on Wednesday and Thursday. But thankfully, I can sit here in my chair with the heating pad on while coaching and that helps.

I’m currently listening to and watching BBC News Live as the King has traveled to Edinburgh where the late Queen’s coffin has arrived. I find all of this fascinating and moving; the ceremony, the ritual, the love for the Queen. And I’ve traveled to Edinburgh a few times and I know the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood House, etc. It’s such an extraordinarily beautiful city.

She became Queen in February of 1952 and I was born in November of the same year. She’s been Queen for my entire life. The same for millions, of course, but I’ve always felt a special link as I was born the same year she became Queen.

I haven’t been able to watch much coverage in the past few days, so I’m going to take advantage of being home and watch today.

I have some cute Blythe pictures but, in keeping with my intention not to post about them every day, I’ll wait a day or so to post them.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.