Life in January

The past week has been mostly a "friend" week with several lunches and dinners out. I've been short of companionship during the past couple of months -- self-imposed, to be sure. But now feeling good enough to enjoy the company of others. And, on top of that, my weight-lifting and arm-raising instructions have been lifted so  can get back to doing things around the house I'd neglected.

 

I was so surprised and delighted when, on my "liberation day," Rick showed up with a dozen beautiful peachy roses. They've held up so well and I love them! 

 

And, one of my amaryllis bulbs that didn't bloom before is in full gear. I love how long the blossoms last!

 

Christmas is pretty much down, though occasionally I'll see a wreath hanging on the back of the door or some decoration that I missed! To replace the light lost after taking down the big tree, I moved this pencil tree to the living room, stripped the Christmas and put my woodland ornaments. Birds, deer, nests, snowflakes. It's cheery and makes me happy.

 

I got the snowfolk out, too, swapping out a Santa for this fellow on a bike.

 

A polar vortex with single digit and subzero temperatures predicted this week. A good time to hibernate! But Rick and I enjoyed a lovely evening out at our friend Jacqie's. We went for apps and wine.

Rick brought his guitar.

 

There were about eight others there -- all neighbors of Jacqie -- and it was lovely to meet new people and enjoy some very interesting company. And Rick sounded pretty good too!

 

If you follow Barb's French Ethereal blog, you'll note she recently did a post on polishing silver using (basically) baking powder, boiling water and tin foil. I remember Martha Stewart doing that decades ago and had forgotten how to do it. But boy, I had some pretty dark silver. Would it help?

 

So, I gave it a go. It didn't work with everything (which is probably more the fault of my neglected silver than the method -- also the size of my container and lack of time.) But I was pretty pleased!

 

Before the cold set in, I got a couple of good walks in. there were plenty of geese at the ditch, and they all looked cold! 

 

But there was also a sight I never expected to see.

 

Yes, that's Harry the Heron. In all the years I've been here I have never seen him in the winter. But he was out and looked pretty content! 

 

He went from pond to pond and finally, was off! 

 

Finally, a note on a good thing to view on your PBS.org app. "Camp RicStar" was a film created by my friends Judy and Dick Winter, after the death of their son, Eric, who loved music and benefited from music activities for special needs children. After Eric passed, Judy and Dick founded a music camp for people with disabilities -- any disability -- from childhood through adulthood. Twenty years later, the camp has become a major force for encouraging this positive outlet for joy and personal empowerment. The camp takes place each June in East Lansing.

 

Last year, "Camp RicStar" was premiered, a film focusing on the journey to create the camp, and the men, women and young people who have been part of it. It's a lovely, poignant and motivating film filled with a lot of love and joy, and it has been sweeping up film festival accolades. Now it is on PBS stations and the PBS app. You can watch it HERE. I hope you do. (Here's a radio interview with Judy and Dick Winter prior to the broadcast. You can read or listen.)

 

Keep cozy this week. It looks to be a doozie!