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.
Well, that certainly is a lovely obit for Chris. So much love expressed throughout her busy life.
It is very, very cold here, too, and I am grateful that I don’t have to go anywhere.
Stay safe and warm, Claudia.
I’m over this winter, Ellen!
Stay safe.
Your snow looks so pretty. I like how your red garage/shed looks like a red cardinal in the snow. Very sad news about Chris. Her obituary was a real tribute to her and her life achievements. Enjoy your nap. A nap is one luxury we can all enjoy. Hugs, Elaine
Thanks, Elaine. I’m very sad about Chris.
Stay safe.
very sad to hear of chris k passing on. i, too, thought and think of her often (also vicki, brenda b, dee dee, deb and others, that stopped commenting. everyone here, really, with love, worries and prayers). with me in iowa and her in wisconsin, i’d thought many times about how to create an in-person get-together with chris, donnamae and others in the area. because that’s how nice chris and you all are. and who couldn’t use more niceness? i’m sorry that didn’t happen in time to meet chris this side of Heaven.
thanks for letting us know about chris and for the link to her beautifully- and lovingly-written obituary. the world and especially her family lost a terrific person. sending condolences to her family.
…
be safe dealing with that snow and cold.
stay safe in every way, everyone.
kathy
Dee Dee still comments, Kathy. She’s never stopped – she comments about once a month. Vicki had to stop commenting because she was unable to type and she was going to undergo testing. She wrote me a letter a long time ago – or dictated it, I think. I just wrote her this weekend and I’m going to send it off in the mail. Her email address was compromised and there’s no other way to reach her.
I don’t know what happened with all of that. I’ve searched for Brenda B. many times. She lived in the same area of Florida as my sister. I couldn’t find anything. I know she was having serious health problems. I’ll keep looking.
Stay safe.
Stay safe.
thanks for letting me know about dee dee, vicki and brenda b. best wishes and prayers for them and you all. xo
kathy
xoxo
Dee Dee left a comment for you, Kathy.
thank you!
xo
kathy
xo
I’m still here, Kathy! Thank you so much for your kind thoughts. Sending you blessings from Northern England.
hej, dee dee! :)
i must have missed seeing your comments. will do better going forward. glad you are here, too … a nice safe place.
thanks for your good wishes. same to you and your loves … hope you’re well and happy.
xo
kathy
I am deeply saddened to hear of Chris’s passing. I have missed her voice here on your blog. She was compassionate, yet fierce. She felt like a kindred spirit. I didn’t realize we lived so close. Thank you for the link.
I hope your snow is light and fluffy like ours was. At least it’s a little easier to shovel, even though it’s still shoveling. Stay warm, and enjoy your day! ;)
I miss her, too.
Yes, it’s so cold that the snow was very light and fluffy. Don ran the snowblower around 8 am and I shoveled all the extra bits and cleaned off the car.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
Wow, lots of snow for you to have to take care of. It’s cold here, and they are calling for snow next weekend. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. It’s nice that you realized you hadn’t heard from her in a while. Take care and stay warm.
Thank you, Leslie.
Stay safe.
That’s a very picturesque photo of your red shed in the snow. It would make a great painting!
It’s very sad to read that Chris K has passed away and heartwarming to read of her passion for books and encouraging others to read.
I always read your blog and the comments but sometimes I think, have I left it too late to comment!
Happy Monday
I know you’re out there, Dee Dee. And I’m very grateful for your presence.
Stay safe.
It’s snowing and blowing and very cold here in Michigan. We haven’t had a winter like this in a few years. I’m over it too.
I remember Chris. I’m so sorry to hear of her passing. That was an extraordinary obituary…an extraordinary life.
Take care
What an amazing life she had!
Thanks so much, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
I’m sorry to read about Chris’ death. However, it’s extraordinary that you’ve really created a supportive community here on your blog, Claudia. That is a testament to you. Enjoy the nap.
Thanks you, Wendy.
We shoveled and Don ran the snowblower. We’re pooped. Time for a nap.
Stay safe.
Our little community is poorer for her loss. I hope my obit reads as inspirational as Chris’ does. Thanks for letting us know, Claudia. And thank you for caring enough to keep track of us.
Seek peace and pursue it earnestly, as my fave grandfather used to say.
Thank you, Roxie.
Stay safe.
It’s a real testament to your blog that you have loyal readers and those that pass are missed by everyone. I don’t remember Chris but she sure had a lovely obituary.
No snow in Nebraska and still fairly warm. We have had a lot of wind.
Enjoy your week.
Thank you, Darlene.
Stay safe.
Sorry to hear about a member of your blog. Well, Chris made it through his surgery. It was a long 8 hours of being tied up in knots. He was in ICU for 2 days and just got moved down to a regular room. It was scary seeing him after surgery with all those tubes and equipment. It is amazing how quickly they get him up and moving! Bill made me stay home today because he could tell I was exhausted. Yes I was. I took a good long nap with Gracie. She was also glad I was home. I feel so bad that you guys have to deal with all that snow. It is so important though that you do a little at a time and then rest. It’s a good thing you have hobbies to keep you busy when you have to stay inside. Take care and I hope you don’t get too much more snow!
Happy to hear the surgery went well, Deb.
Stay safe.
What a beautiful tribute to Chris. Thank you for posting the link, Claudia.
You’re most welcome, Debbie.
Stay safe.
I didn’t follow Chris but I’m very sad at her passing, particularly after a disease which scares me, too. I recently learned of the passing of another blog friend through others and I am reminded that Rick needs to know how to post something on my own if and when that happens. It’s always concerning when people just stop coming — and then you don’t see any other posts from them either.
It’s 6 right now. Wind chills today are supposed to be -13. I’m over it (and MUST go out to two doc appointments. Grrr. And Brrr.
I don’t know whether her passing had anything to do with the RSV, Jeanie. But in her last comment she mentioned having side effects – having trouble reading, etc.
Yes, Don needs to know the same thing – on all my social media.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Chris sounds like a lovely lady. It is sad we loose such caring people.
You too, are so caring that you noticed a reader was gone and you looked for her. That says a lot about you, all good.
We have had little snow this winter. I live at about 6700 feet, so this is unusual.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thanks so much, Kaye.
Stay safe.
Sorry about the loss of chris. Wouldn’t it be sweet to meet some of you. I’d need a really good Google maps! We live very far. Oh, I need my navigator, michael! He would like the drive.
Im sad lately. I wish for my health to be restored. I wish family relationships to be restored. My doggie friend is truly my constant companion. Got the winter blues.
I watch silly instagram shorts and listen to good music. Phoned a woman who’s selling 3 sweet puppies. But I need to spend this time with my daddio.
No snow to speak of here. Just cold winds.
I hope you feel better soon, Irene.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia, I was just browsing through your blog and saw this post about Chris K. I do indeed remember her from her comments over the years. How sad that she passed away. I read her obituary and was surprised to see that she grew up in Cary, IL. It’s a lovely suburb just 20 min from me! Her obituary was beautifully written – it really gave a sense of who she was and what was truly important to her. May she rest in peace.
Thank you, Melanie.
Stay safe.