A Day Book . . .

 

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 OUTSIDE  MY WINDOW . . .

Its still dark. I am up earlier this morning as I have to be at the Doctors at 8:30 for my last Twinrex shot. (I think that is how you spell it. Its for my liver.) It is a bit below zero at the moment, but is supposed to warm up nicely today. Yesterday was a beautiful warm sunny day. This whole week is supposed to be warm. I guess March must be coming in like a lamb. 

I AM THINKING . . .

About passive aggressive behavior. There is someone who is always leaving passive aggressive comments here under the cloak of anonymity. Its easy to say what you want when you know that nobody will know who you are. Passive aggressive behavior is a pattern of indirectly expressing negative feelings instead of openly addressing them. There's a disconnect between what a person who exhibits passive-aggressive behavior says and what he or she does.  Personally, if you don't like me, why do you bother to come and read me?  I don't get it. It doesn't  make sense. Nobody is forcing you. I'm not your cup of tea.  Why not move along to a page that you do enjoy. 

I AM ALSO THINKING . . .

That the majority of those who read and comment are very nice and supportive. I am grateful for that community of people.  I have made some really lovely blogging friends through the years. This was especially welcome when I was working at the Manor and had very little time for outside contact. I think, with the exception of Jo, the housekeeper, almost all of my friends were online friends, and I was more than grateful for their friendship. Many are still my friends to this day.  That makes me happy.

MAKES ME SMILE . . .

I went to put something in the bedroom yesterday and this is what I saw.  The end of Nutmeg's tail peeking out from the bottom of the bed. I'd know that tail anywhere.  He makes me laugh with his antics. I am sure he thought he was well hidden away.

ALSO MAKES ME SMILE . . .

Cinnamon also makes me smile. She has gotten a lot more affectionate lately.  I love it. Nutmeg has such a bold personality that I sometimes think Cinnamon doesn't get as much attention as she deserves, but lately she has been putting herself more forward and I am a huge fan of that. I love it when she gets onto my lap if I am laying back in my chair. She will let me pet her and seems to enjoy it and will stay for quite a while.

Life would not be the same without these two furry companions.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH . . .

Last evening my next door neighbor called me to let me know that the lady with Alzheimer's across the way had run away from home. Thankfully she had only run to my neighbor's house. She wanted me to know just in case she does the same thing again sometime and comes to mine.  She said I could call her and she would know how to get in touch with her husband.  I had noticed that her daughter is there most days now and takes her out a lot.  I thought perhaps she was worsening.  Alzheimer's is such a wicked disease and so sad to watch.   We are lucky to have a neighbor so close by who keeps an eye on all of us. I am grateful for that.

 

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SRING IS SPRINGING . . .

I noticed yesterday that my neighbors daffodils are sprouting and peeking out of the ground.  It won't be long now before we see lots of signs of life in the gardens.

Oh how I used to love seeing all of the daffodils and narcissi coming up in the UK.  And the crocus. (They came first)  Those fat little bumble bees.  They were the harbingers of spring. Here it is the robin. I have not seen one of those yet.

SPRING BUCKET LIST . . . 

I found this on Pinterest yesterday. No source.  It is a nice list of things.  I did have my front window open yesterday letting some fresh air into the house. The cats were loving it. So was I.

 

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SOMETHING I LOVE . . .

I love to see everything turning green in the Spring. With that first flush, the tiny leaves unfurling, so fresh and bright.  The forsythia with its yellow flowers. The grass greening and changing from the dull brown of winter.  The skies seem bluer as well.

 

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SOMETHING ELSE I LOVE . . .

My morning chats with my sister.  I love that half hour or so we spend each morning chatting on the telephone while we peddle. We never run out of things to talk about.  This is such a precious time for me.

SOMETHING TO WATCH . . .

One Day on Netflix. I finally finished it. I thought it was quite good. It was a bit racy in parts. With a bit of sex, some bad language, violence in parts, but overall not as bad as most of what you see out there. It made you laugh. It made you cry. It made you invest in the characters. I thought it very well done. I won't spoil anything by telling you any more than that.

I AM READING . . . 

These Precious Days, by Ann Patchett

The beloved New York Times bestselling author reflects on home, family, friendships and writing in this deeply personal collection of essays. 

"The elegance of Patchett’s prose is seductive and inviting: with Patchett as a guide, readers will really get to grips with the power of struggles, failures, and triumphs alike." —Publisher's Weekly 

 “Any story that starts will also end.” As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this truth in these wise essays that afford a fresh and intimate look into her mind and heart. 

 At the center of These Precious Days is the title essay, a surprising and moving meditation on an unexpected friendship that explores “what it means to be seen, to find someone with whom you can be your best and most complete self.” When Patchett chose an early galley of actor and producer Tom Hanks’ short story collection to read one night before bed, she had no idea that this single choice would be life changing. It would introduce her to a remarkable woman—Tom’s brilliant assistant Sooki—with whom she would form a profound bond that held monumental consequences for them both. 

 A literary alchemist, Patchett plumbs the depths of her experiences to create gold: engaging and moving pieces that are both self-portrait and landscape, each vibrant with emotion and rich in insight. Turning her writer’s eye on her own experiences, she transforms the private into the universal, providing us all a way to look at our own worlds anew, and reminds how fleeting and enigmatic life can be. 

 From the enchantments of Kate DiCamillo’s children’s books (author of The Beatryce Prophecy) to youthful memories of Paris; the cherished life gifts given by her three fathers to the unexpected influence of Charles Schultz’s Snoopy; the expansive vision of Eudora Welty to the importance of knitting, Patchett connects life and art as she illuminates what matters most. Infused with the author’s grace, wit, and warmth, the pieces in These Precious Days resonate deep in the soul, leaving an indelible mark—and demonstrate why Ann Patchett is one of the most celebrated writers of our time.

I am really enjoying this. It is like a collection of short stories. Sometimes you just don't have the energy or stamina to read a whole book. This satisfies the reading urge in shortish spurts.  Its very good!

SOMETHING I LOVE . . .

A warm cardigan. And if it is homemade so much the better.  I knit my mother a black cardigan when my children were very young. I wonder what ever happened to it. I was so proud of that cardigan.  I remember paying a fortune for the buttons.  I wonder did she ever wear it and where it went when she passed. I can't think that she ever got rid of it. She never got rid of anything that my sister and I made for her.  She never really used any of it either.  She kept it in safekeeping. I used to wish that she would use the things that I made.

 

 

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SOMETHING ELSE I LOVE . . .

Muffins. I have not made any in a while. Maybe I will bake some today. It would be nice to have some ready when my son gets here.  I have not heard from him yet when he is coming, but I expect it will be any day now.

FROM MY CALENDAR . . . 

I always try to put my heart into everything I do. Life is much better that way.

 

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I AM CRAVING . . .

This Italian Sweet Breakfast Bread from Tasty Kitchen.  It reminds me a bit of Panettone. I adore Panettone.  Cindy gave me a really nice lemon one for Christmas. I have never made my own from scratch.

IN THE KITCHEN . . . 

Macaroni Cheese Frittata. A simple lunch or supper dish. Quick and easy to make, using very simple storecupboard ingredients.

 

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TRACING THE GOODNESS . . . 

Faith, family, friends, pets, home. My life is a great blessing to me. Every day may not be a good day, but there is something good in every day, even on your worst days. There is always, always something to be thankful for.

 

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A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

 *.˛.Sometimes I need only to stand

where I am to be blessed.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

~Mary Oliver° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

And that is my daybook for this week. I hope that you all have beautiful days.  Blessings to you all and don't forget!

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And I do too!