Great photo of you! Your hair is looking great too. That's such a shame about Nate's underway being postponed. John's daughter just had her second daughter and her Army husband is apparently scheduled for a Florida training in July. Not good timing at all! (but the military doesn't care)

That's a beautiful truck! John has a Ford truck too. Patt was fond of them too, although he generally didn't buy Ford cars. Quinn is obviously delighted with the reptiles. Good for him!

I like snakes but wouldn't appreciate one inside the house! Happy Birthday to Nate! What a shame he has to be away for such a long time. Tough on relationships and family. :( What did you read in Book Club?

What an excellent birthday! It's great to feel that life is somewhat normal and that we can go places and see people.

I am worried sick about the same things you are! What I never believed could happen IS, and so many people seem OK with it. That's also very, very disturbing. I feel for John; I'm still dealing with Poochie's estate, although it's moving along now. (after I got the lawyer more involved in dealing with the recalcitrant wealth management company) They are finally NOW getting me the paperwork to transfer the assets into an account I can access. Four months later! I need to be watching for my medicare card.

Those flowers are spectacular but my favorite is the cats nose to nose! I agree with your rant 100% and wish Nate could supervise from shore/Everett. John's son-in-law is gone frequently too and has to decide if he wants to re-enlist. It's a tough decision.

2015 doesn't seem like that long ago but to the elderly, things (usually bad ones) happen fast and declines are inexorable. "Hamnet" was indeed beautifully written and a worthy discussion book. I found the grief passages hard to bear. I don't even want to imagine losing a child. I'm still terrified of what's going on in this country and NOT one of the optimistic ones. Although I'm impressed with Biden, the other side is indeed bat shit crazy and dangerous; they'll do anything to keep power.

I'm so very sorry; no matter how much you might expect it, it's still a shock. I'm glad that John and his mom had a good conversation before she died. Will he have tons of stuff to do now with her estate? I've done nothing but deal with death so far in 2021. It's not easy. That's a great comparison of that area of your house. I think I visited when it was under construction. It came together so beautifully!

Quinn is so cute and I LOVE the sweatshirt! It's fun to do a few normal things. I am reasonably comfortable eating outside as long as I'm not close to people. I'm still nervous about doing inside, although I have several times. I hope John and you are doing OK. I do think his mom sensed that she needed to be home; it's certainly been a tough year for all of us.

I liked our discussion about "Hamnet" better than the actual book during which I kept waiting for something to happen. As a period piece, it was fascinating though. And I LOVED the ending which was beautiful. I love dogwoods too, although I prefer the pink ones. I have a white Korean one and it's struggling. I'm not sure that it will bloom at all or even leaf out fully.

The flowers are cheery and beautiful. My dad was in the same spot except in the hospital and then with some very nice caregivers. It felt so out of control when he was in the hospital and we couldn't see him. That place sounds AWFUL!

That ring is gorgeous and so unusual. Be careful of the opal though; they are very fragile and break easily. John is dealing with the thought of putting his mother in assisted living also; it's a tough decision and expensive. There are no easy answers to these elder care issues. Hope you can work out something for your John's mom!

Same here, hair wise. The jury is out on my semi-mullet. Your hair looks very cute, although I don't know how long it took you to get it that way. I can relate to the lack of communication, the frustration and the unknowns of elderly parents in the hospital. (or at home) I am very confused by Medicare and have no clue what I should do. There are way too many options.

An amazing poem! You are so gifted. Isn't it sheer though?

Tell John that I am EXTREMELY tempted. It's hard not to be bitter that I'm 64 and in a county where the wording is different. I'm so glad for people getting vaccinated though since it helps all of us. I'm eager to come visit and have you two meet John. He's a great guy. Your worries about Nate echo John's about his younger daughter, whose husband is Army Special Forces and has been gone a lot lately. (they're expecting their second daughter in June) In my case, I'm concerned about health insurance for Ashley's family if she has no job after this year. The variants worry me sick too. Altogether too much to stress out about. :(

Yay! It sounds like what my mom experienced at the Fair; it was very well-run and quick. It's such a treat to get a coffee out these days. Small pleasures that we took for granted, but won't any more. Yes, nutcases everywhere. :(

I have had my jaw dragging on the ground for most of Trump's "presidency" because I can't believe what he's gotten away with. And will this time, I'm afraid. The GOP is terrified of him and his power over his cult. We're looking at Hamnet, The Midnight Library and the following for our next 3 or 4 BC picks. We'll choose at our January outdoor get together. 50 Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie A Promised Land by Barack Obama The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare. The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline

Great news about the kids visit AND the recovered recipe. I'm weird though because I only like chili with beans. I do put shredded chicken in it if I'm making it for Ryan or John. Ashley is a vegetarian and was vegan, so the recipe can be modified for everyone. Your house looks beautifully and gently decorated--very classy. Christmas lights are the very devil. I'm always buying new ones because the not very old sets from the year before don't work. Argghhh!