So Far, I'm Not Bonding with 2021!

It's been a bumpy ride this year, hasn't it? January hasn't started out the best for Rick and me. And that part has nothing to do with the riot in Washington.

That was a bad week for us on any number of levels. The worst was that Rick's mom fell and broke her hip. Surgery was delayed for a few days for other medical reasons. Apparently, she was close to having a heart attack (which didn't have anything to do with the fall) and the cardiologist had to sign off. Meanwhile, she was in terrible pain. The good news is that the surgery went well and she is starting to sound like herself again. There will be rehab, of course, but that one is looking up.

I think it was the same day that we found out a cousin of Rick's (second, or removed) had died in December. Barbara was a lovely woman. She and I shared an interest (no, a passion) for Jacqueline Winspear's "Maisie Dobbs" mysteries and she would send me hers when she finished. She never forgot Rick's birthday. Every year she sent a Christmas letter to Rick and one to me -- much of it was the same but she always, always personalized the first couple of paragraphs, referring to our times together or shared interests. A few years ago she came to the lake and we had a wonderful time and I will be forever grateful for having had that opportunity to get to know her better. 

I'm still going through cardio testing, which -- thanks to slow prior authorization from our new insurance company -- has delayed appointments and finding out just what needs to be done for my a-fib. I'm still hoping for a conservative, medication-only treatment. 

A friend of Rick's came down with Covid. He's not a good candidate with many co-morbidities. Rick picked up meds and food for him, leaving it at his door. Stay tuned. And, Rick is also having trouble with his tenant who lives on the other side of his duplex wall. The best thing that could happen is that the lease is broken. Sometimes a bad tenant is worse than no tenant. Oh, and the tenant was exposed to Covid over New Year's. He'd better be staying out of the laundry room.

But, on the happier side, Lizzie and I have been enjoying some backyard bird watching.

There's a lot of action at Lizzie Coco's Birdbath Bar and Grill. I've seen all kinds of sparrows, woodpeckers, juncos, cardinals, jays, and I think the red one in this post is a finch. 

Although, every photo reminds me that I should have washed the windows outside before the snow fell!

 Rick is making noise about wanting his hair cut. I'm liking his long-hair look and dreading using the clippers he bought. Maybe a scissor trim.

The good news? I'm now eligible to register for my Covid vaccine. The bad news? Our county has over 80,000 people in my category and doses for about 2,500. I'm sure glad I like being in my house.

As you can see in the photos above, I have replaced the Santas with the snowfolk. I am so glad I did a bottlebrush tree mantel this year so I don't have to deal with that right now!

The big tree and some of the smaller ones will probably be down by the time this posts, give or take a day. I was going to take it down on the seventh, after Twelfth Night, but the lights and color were so peaceful and calm and after what happened the day before, I needed all the peace and calm I could get. Meanwhile, this one gives me all the joy you need on a bad day. Or week. Or month.

So, to keep me calm, another Lizzie pic. She was having quite a time. Lizzie lives in oblivion of all except eat, sleep, play, purr. I think a lot of us wish we could live in oblivion after events at the Capitol last week, but I also suspect that being oblivious to facts, truth and falling under the spell of a maniacal fascist leader and conspiracy theories is what got us into this mess in the first place. January 20 cannot come soon enough for me but I'm under no illusions that the violence is over. Remember, I live in the state where these domestic terrorists got a dress rehearsal storming our state capitol in April and plotted a kidnapping attempt on our outstanding governor who has gone to the mat to protect our state during Covid.

These people are not patriots. They were not peaceful protestors. Call them what they are. Rioters, terrorists, racists, thugs and so much more, incited by a madman who was enabled by followers whose source of information was unproven conspiracy theories. For many, those theories were fueled by perceived self-interest, whether it was financial or motivated by single issues like the Supreme Court. Why should we be surprised at his inciting violence? I just don't understand the thinking behind this.

It's not like we weren't warned when he suggested using the second amendment to take care of Hillary Clinton in 2016. It's not like we weren't warned by the increasingly rabid tweets. We were warned. And eyes were covered.

Some of his followers are otherwise good people. They do good things for others, volunteer for worthy organizations, would bring chicken soup to a sick neighbor.  Some are in my extended family, others I've known for years. They are people I care about. I don't wish them ill, I know we will in time have what I hope are good times together. But I do not understand how they can stick by him after all the damage he has done to our country.

I truly believe they are deluded. If anything comes from this, I would like to think they would come around and recognize not only who and what this man is and his role in instigating partisan hate, but also their role in enabling it through their votes or passive acceptance. It is not a matter of party. It's a matter of principle. Or, as the old saying goes, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

My word of the year is hope. Hope for eyes wide open, not eyes wide shut. But I don't know that I'm too hopeful about an end to the violence. Or, that everyday people will accept their own accountability. I'd like to be wrong, so very much.

We are emotionally and mentally exhausted. At least I am. I'm getting a little desperate for joy.

I'm leaving comments open here but keep it civil, regardless of point of view. I'm sure some won't agree. But comments that cross the line will be deleted.