Another foggy morning here in my neck of the woods.
I love foggy mornings. There’s something mysterious about them. Something other-worldly. And then I hear Fred Astaire singing “A foggy day in London town…”
It’s very cozy around here this morning. We’re watching the fog shift and change, drinking our coffee and feeling grateful. Sometimes I have to remind myself to stop and utter thanks for what I have. It’s tempting to compare my life with others, and though I am much better about that than I used to be, comparison still creeps in there from time to time.
The sheer and utter truth is that I am blessed: a husband who loves me and who I love in return, a cozy little cottage that provides a roof over our heads, bills that are paid for the month, heat coming from the oil burner, food in the pantry, a family I adore and a sister who is simply the best sister ever, a little nephew who sounded so cheery and so happy last night that gratitude for his recovery from the seizure that happened just a week ago filled me up from head to toe, friends and colleagues who challenge and support me, work in my chosen field – I’ll stop there, but goodness, there’s so much more.
I took this picture the other day and today, as I was editing it, I realized there are birds flying by that big, fluffy cloud. I love surprises like that.
I don’t think I’ve ever shared the next picture with you. I took it before I started blogging – somewhere between 2006 and 2008. It was for the cover of Don’s first CD (no longer available) called “Dogs in the House.”
Don keeps it in a frame on his desk.
We had to do some maneuvering to get this photo. We opened the window and took out the screen and then Don had to hold out some treats to get the dogs to come to the edge of the opening. Over and over again until we got this shot.
Of course, we rewarded their patience with our shenanigans with lots of treats.
Oh, those sweet faces. How I miss them.
Another rainy day ahead for us and then a bit of a warm-up tomorrow and Friday. On Friday, we’re going to go on a tour of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary! I’m so excited. I’ll take lots of pictures, I promise.
Happy Wednesday.
Okay. That is one priceless picture! Dogs in the window and the handsome singing cowboy on the porch. Just priceless.
I wish I had the original jpeg, but that’s before I got into photography!
Gratitude and Thanks, spoken everyday in my life, too!
Essential! Thanks, Nancy.
Claudia that photo is priceless! I see Don and the dogs smiling! I know you miss them so much. We had to cancel our girls lunch today because of weather. I’ll stay home after a quick trip to the library to pick up a book on hold. I think I’ll snuggle in and read and maybe make a pot of soup. Hugs!
Reading and hot soup sounds perfect. I’ve been reading about the fires near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Such a tragic loss.
I am so happy that your little nephew is feeling better. What a scare that was!
I didn’t realize Don had made another album. I looked around and it is on Spotify! So, it will be listened to this morning as I finish crocheting some Christmas presents.
I hope you and Don have a wonderful day.
It was a first stab at recording – done in his friend’s house – so I think there’s a lot he’d change if he could do it again, but it’s fun!
Great photo, and you’re in it too, so the whole family is together.
Well, I’m in the photo of the photo!
Shadows count.
xoxo
You sound really good today, Claudia. I’m glad that you’re feeling well, about lots of things. I feel this glowy, full, warm ‘aura’ wafting from your words. Its own sunshine; golden. What a tremendous relief for all of you to know that your sweet nephew is out of the woods. And you indeed live in a magical part of the world…that whole upstate area AND your lovely home, which I always enjoy seeing but, oh, when framed by wonderful dogs, how perfect! That photo is a keeper. Clever, too.
Don is the guy a majority of women look for their entire life. He would say the same about you.
We were 52 degrees at 8am PST. Sunny & clear here in Southern California. I’m thinking of how much I need a cup of coffee right now, since my sleep has been spotty. My husband and I really can’t remember when we’ve ever had a good, full-night’s sleep, 8 hrs at a stretch (like, YEARS). But, gosh, when you’ve got a gorgeous day outside, it’s really hard to not feel cheery. I’m going to the dollar store to go buy a spritzer/spray bottle. I was given a nice, evergreen wreath Monday, made of Pacific Northwest fir and, wow, the scent fills the house in such a holiday-ish way, but not overpowering; it does, however, need a misting every other day to keep it fresh and green. I’m not much into wreaths, but this is a pleasant surprise.
8 hours is a rarity for me, too. I can’t remember when I slept that long – but 7 seems to be the standard ‘good night’s sleep’ for both Don and me nowadays. Anything less and I feel it.
Enjoy your wreath! Since we’re not going to put up a real tree this year, I might indulge and get a real wreath myself!
Yeah, I’m rethinking my ‘real’ tree now, because I don’t feel I need both. But there’s a tree lot near the dollar store and I’m going to go walk it. I might get tempted…
I love the fog too. I grew up on Lake Ontario and one of my earliest memories is of hearing the foghorn a couple of miles down the road at Charlotte [the port of Rochester]. I can remember being 3 and 4 years old, in my room at naptime and NOT sleeping because I was waiting for the periodic bleat of the foghorn. I love the look of a foggy landscape, or seascape too. Very “Hound of the Baskervilles” to me – I always think of that book on foggy days. PS – that is one terrific photo. No wonder Don has it on his desk, where he can see it all the time. Pretty funny when you know the backstory too. On the surface, Riley & Scout look totally devoted to Don, but in reality they’re not taking their eyes off the doggie treats we aren’t seeing – hahaha! 🌫
Love fog horns, which we, unfortunately, do not hear around here!
Yes, those treats are hidden but the dogs were focused on them!
We all do need to take a gratitude break….much more often than we do. It is so easy to slip into the “what is wrong with everything” routine than the “what is right” opportunities we seem to overlook and miss.
The picture is wonderful. Those sweet faces in the window!!!!!!! Oh, I know how very much you miss them. And, the picture of Don is pretty cute, too! Have a wonderful Wednesday!!
That Don is pretty cute – I guess the photo is about 8 or 9 years old.
Miss my babies.
Great picture of Don and the dogs. I love how they are looking out the window!
I do, too. Oh, how I wish they were still here!
Precious photo, Claudia. Doggies and kitties love their treats!
They sure do, Wendy!
I love foggy mornings, too! And that picture — it’s just delightful! It made me smile. I know you miss your babies. We finally got some much needed rain. I feel so sorry for people in Gatlinburg. Such a sad thing.
Two days in a row of a lot of rain, which we need. Our well certainly needs it!
Iwant to say that I really enjoy your pictures and stories. I am a stuck at home caregiver so it gives me a vicarious view of some piece of the world. Thanks.
Oh, thank you, Jan. I know that is very stressful and difficult, so if in some small way I can brighten your day – that makes me very happy.
Cute photo of Don and your pups…priceless! Sometimes we all need to just stop and think of all that we are grateful for….I think sometimes I just take too many things for granted! Enjoy the rest of the day! ;)
It’s awfully easy to do that, Donnamae. I am guilty of it, too.
That’s a marvelous photo with the pups. :D
Thanks so much, Brae.
No fog, here, but rain and lots of wind earlier; it’s calming down some now. Nice post. Claudia!
Thank you, Judy!
I smiled as I read your gratitude list, especially as I read about the heat coming from the oil burner…just the other night as I was lying in my snug bed, I heard the heat turn on and I said thanks in my mind for that.
Your tree and cloud photos are both fantastic. The first thing I noticed about the cloud photo was that the cloud on the bottom looks like a shark!
I adore the photo of Don and the dogs! That is just too precious.
And, a tour of an animal sanctuary…ooh, I can’t wait to hear about that. I don’t think we have anything like that here in the Chicago area.
It does look like a shark, Melanie!
We are very excited to visit and tour the animal sanctuary. One more day!
I was googling Leonard Cohen pics…Don could have played him in a movie, incredible resemblamance!
I’ve heard that before! And to the late Tom Hayden. And to Edward Herrmann. They all have the same sort of look that Don has.
Fog and rain here today too…oh those poor people in Tennessee…a nightmare come true…love the picture of your three sweethearts Claudia…Can’t wait to see pictures of your tour!
I’m so looking forward to it!
I also enjoy a foggy morning – if I’m not trying to drive in it :) And thank you for the reminder to appreciate our blessings. I really don’t enjoy this experience of “for the first time in my life living in an apartment building”! But then I look around me … my building is safe, very quiet, and extremely well maintained. I’m surrounded, in every single room (yes, even my bathroom!), by things I love, and enjoy, that I’ve accumulated and collected for many, many years. And I was reminded yesterday, as I did my Christmas decorating (yes, I’m an early bird Christmas decorator), of even the many things I get to display and enjoy during this month. I’ve definitely been blessed!
Thanks for sharing the photo of Don, Riley and Scout … LOVE IT!
It just takes a moment to rethink your perspective and suddenly, everything is good.