Dear Reader:

It is very easy to to get down when we don’t feel well. From what I have been reading… there are a lot of varied ” bugs” floating around right now.

First we had that record-breaking cold over Christmas and now we have see-sawed to near record breaking heat … these ” elevator” weather patterns release a paraphernalia of viruses. And unfortunately one decided to park itself inside me late Sunday night and early Monday morning.

But on the bright side it has given me the opportunity to observe nature… especially the subtle changes ( already) taking place in the extended afternoon light. On December 21 we observed the winter solstice ( shortest day of the year) On that day… by 4:48 darkness had descended.

Yesterday afternoon as I stared out my den window it was 5:15 and still one shaft of light was slowly fading. That’s a big difference already in a small amount of time. I love having more time in the afternoons. Definitely… a bright spot!

Even though the plants on the deck and gardens got “freeze-burned ” from the single digit nights around Christmas… I know that in the spring many of these plants will sprout one new green leaf and that is all it will take to return to life! Hope is alive… even if the plant appears ” dead.”

I had been sad about taking the ornaments off the tree… but happy about Mandy and the kids ( who helped me put it up) coming to help me take it down. So my ” bug and fever” bought me a few more days of watching the tree in the evenings.

So until tomorrow… an important bright spot has also been the calls and texts checking on me… makes one feel cared for… and that is very special. Thank you!

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh