We’re getting more snow today but none of the forecast models agree, so it looks like we could get anywhere from 2-5 inches. Our local guys are forecasting 1-3 inches but say they will be updating as the day goes on. Don is happy. Normally, I groan when I hear more snow is coming – and truthfully, I still do – but it makes him happy. He does most of the shoveling and cleanup so it gives him something to do. And both of us love seeing it fall outside our windows when we’re snug and cozy here in the house.
What’s new? Cleaning – but that’s always the case, lockdown or no lockdown. We watched The Producers on TCM last night – one of our favorite movies. I’m currently working on another book puzzle that was sent to me by a reader – this one consists of C.S. Lewis titles. I remember thinking when I saw the box, yes, he wrote a lot, but certainly not the number of books in this grid. Turns out that the same titles are repeated, but in different editions, cover art, and fonts. It’s a bit maddening.
You can see two different covers of The Screwtape Letters in this shot.
Funny thing: I’ve never actually read any C. S. Lewis, but I’ve coached at least four different adaptations of his books, most recently, The Great Divorce.
And yesterday’s mail brought my next puzzle challenge:
I love the New Yorker cover puzzles. (I got them on Amazon, if you’re interested.) I have one more arriving on Wednesday.
We’re always trying to see the positives of this isolation we’re all going through. I certainly have days when I’m restless and tired of it, as does Don. But in a conversation we had the other day, we reminded ourselves that during the course of our 26 years together, we have gone through many periods where one or both of us were on the road, where we spent long spells apart from each other. When you freelance in the performing arts, that’s what happens. You go where the work is. It is something that I believe we’ve handled with grace, but it is never easy. But now, we’ve been given the gift of time together. No travel to another city. No home-away-from-home living. Just here, in our home, together. And we’re blessed.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
Love the puzzles… NYC my favorite city for various reasons…pastor made a comment (online) this am…he is the age of my kids and his youngest is one of my youngest grands bestie…anyway about being anxious…I am working on that as I prepare to move 1000 miles away…the farthest I have moved yet…one year I rode with my son when he moved from Miami to Ca…long drive but fun…this will be rushed though…I have been to almost all 50 states and love all of them…however leaving family here is difficult…first time I have lived near grandchildren. Need to share Nana…Claudia. I enjoy your blog so much…you can’t imagine the comfort…I was astonished to read one today…had never read anything political on that one…the woman was bashing President and talking about him in such a way…I know…I know…stick to yours and one other in US and four across the pond…lol prayers to you two wonderful people…you have touched my life in such a good way…
Thank you, Brenda. Your sweet comment means a great deal to me. Bless you, my friend.
Stay safe!
love don’s great attitude about getting more snow.
more beautiful puzzles … glad you have them to enjoy. i love steinberg’s art!
and especially i love your positive attitude, recognition of and gratitude for blessings.
i’m getting a slow start to things here. it’s -4 degrees and i don’t want to deal with that!
happy, safe sunday!
kathy in iowa
Hope you have a restful day, Kathy!
Stay safe.
We love C.S.Lewis
Start with Mere Christianity
My favorite movie is Shadowlands- His relationship with his wife Joy and so much more.
I do hope one day you and Don are able to watch it one day.
(Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger are amazing)
I coached the play Shadowlands, so I’m very familiar with it. I’m familiar and have read play adaptations of a many of his stories and novels, I just haven’t read the books themselves.
Thanks, Linda.
Stay safe.
Fun puzzles! I’m still mowing through ebooks. Just finished the latest Louise Penny and noticed that she was inspired by an author I haven’t read—Rhys Bowen—so I’m reading one of hers right now. (I’ve been reading so much I’m about to run out of things I know I want to read!)
Cold weather has finally left us today. Yay! The door is open and a huge flock of robins are happily pecking away at our front yard. And it sounds wonderful. (Probably some new bug or other is hatching, so I say, Go robins!)
Tomorrow, more chemo. Happy Sunday to you.
I wish I could have Don’s attitude about snow. I don’t mind the cold weather but I start to feel a bit claustrophobic as the snow piles up.
I agree with your positive attitude. There is always something good to be found in even the worst of times.
Stay safe
Since I’m immersed in puzzles and books, the snow isn’t bothering me too much this year. That could change at any minute, though!
Stay safe, Marilyn.
Shanna, I really enjoy Rhys Bowen’s books. I think many of us have been reading more than ever these days. Last week I finished 3 books….I think the snow, and the horrible temps play a part in that. It was -18* (real temp) this AM. It is up to 1* right now. I hope you have a peaceful day tomorrow. Thinking of you……
Thanks Chris. I’m enjoying the Rhys Bowen book—The Tuscan Child. Not very far in yet, but I like her writing style so far.
Yes, I’m familiar with Rhys Bowen, though I’ve not read any of her books. Let me know what you think!
I saw two bluebirds yesterday. For some reason, I only see them here during the winter.
How is Fred feeling?
Stay safe, Shanna.
Oh, the birds in my yard were glorious all day long. It made me sad to get chilly and need to close the door on all that beautiful birdsong.
Fred’s doing well this go-round. His sense of taste seems to have returned so that makes it easier. I just hope the next round goes as well.
Sending positive thoughts. I’m glad it’s going well for him, Shanna.
How beautiful to have this time together when you’ve been parted often during difficult times. I hear of relationships foundering because of quarantine and the extra stresses it causes beyond the virus itself and it makes me sad. But it makes me happy that there are some couples like you and Don who find ties are strengthening in the same circumstances.
Thank you, Nora.
We are proud of our marriage. I think meeting while in our forties helped. We knew exactly what we didn’t want in a relationship and we work very hard at keeping it healthy.
Stay safe.
That’s a wonderful blessing, to be together after so many times apart. Even when they are good times, they are still apart-times.
Love the new puzzle. I’ll have to check those out. I have a few New Yorker covers I saved over time just because I loved them so much. You never know — they might have them!
Have a cozy afternoon and evening. I’m hunkering in tonight for All Creatures. And who knows what else!
Yes, we’ll be watching All Creatures, too!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
I wish I could do puzzles. I would love to lose myself in something like that. A few months ago I did try. A 50 piece puzzle. After hours of frustration I donated it to the local thrift.
I will trade your snow for my -15 and -35 windchill. It is supposed to get worse before it gets better, and last the week.
The stupidintendent of schools just sent an email asking families to dress their children warmly and possibly drive them to school. He doesn’t want to close school. I get it sort of. We’ve been back such a short time, but it is not safe. I had a few words to say, none that I can repeat here.
Stay warm!
We’ve been there, believe me. A week or so ago, we had those same wind chills. And I’m sure we’ll have them again.
Stay safe, Trudy!
I love all the puzzles you are doing even though they are not my thing. I made it through yesterday with some tears, laughs and memories of Charlie. He was my special boy. I’m tired today and the quarantine is getting to me a bit this week. I’ll be fine but I think I’ll go lose myself in a book again.
Books are the best thing. And puzzles, if you like them.
Tomorrow is my hard anniversary. We’ll be thinking about our girl.
Stay safe, Linda.
The gift of time…..that is lovely. I guess we have found out how compatible we are with our partners. I have been lucky with that too. As we grow older the gift of time is even more important. Tomorrow is never a given. Thanks for bright that to light.
It’s very important.
Thanks, Janet.
Stay safe.
Well that’s a lovely way to come to grips with long-term lockdown, Claudia; bravo for your positivity (lemons to lemonade) and seeing it as a blessing for the both of you. The snow sounds so nice (image of looking out windows [from a cozy place within] and seeing it fall; just can’t know what that must be, and I’d sure like to experience snowfall one day; makes me feel wistful).
Here, and I know I talk about it too much but it’s energy I simply MUST have as often as possible (substitute for my coffee to get me to a happy place for the day), it’s the beach; many bicyclists [groups of them!] for Sunday along the seacoast road, yet not as much ‘population’ in the campgrounds/ocean-front parking as in the past despite the ‘reopening’ in the past weekend or two in my part of SoCalif; of course some people just can’t handle 60s-temps beach weather with wispy fog (they want that hot sunshine on hot sand; they want summer), but it was so beautiful this morning about 10am, big wide sandy beach for miles and miles at low, low tide with lots of little sandbars (so great for a long walk in clean air, not many humans but a host of shorebirds); and when the ‘mist’ would go in and out, the beautiful Pacific really was sparkling like the proverbial diamonds on the water from that big ‘ol winter sun. A slew of surfers out in their wetsuits, like a bunch of ants on a blue picnic cloth; a few sailboats ‘way out there and even a paddleboarder or two.
Our peak temps (inland a few miles) today were mid-70s although we’ve dropped to 60 degrees now that it’s after 4pm PST; we would really like more rain! February and March can still be lucky for us here when it comes to precipitation; so, fingers crossed…
Yes, we went to the beach often when we lived in San Diego. I don’t miss much about San Diego these days, but I do miss the beach.
Stay safe, Vicki.