WOOHOO about getting your vaccine!! I'm so happy for you! And yes, the psychological effect about it is definitely uplifting. Can't wait to get our 2nd shot on the 18th, although we won't be fully vaccinated until about 10 days after that. But I love that we're in the process. Nate and Sandra are now fully vaccinated, but he's leaving on his ship soon for a month to 6 weeks, so we probably won't be able to completely celebrate together until he's back. *sob* I'm so very sorry about your dad. Such anguish, especially if you are not able to see him.

Wow, what an "adventure!" And so very productive. (And what a good Photoshop job!) I'm sure it was not fun, but it looks like you all made the most of it. I'm so glad John was such a huge help! (He's a good guy!)

What interesting treasures! And stories!

Oh man, such a hard call about your dad. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this! I can fully understand how your mom feels. (Probably wait and see if he improves with treatment over the next few days? Is there any way to visit him and assess his cognizance?) My mom had at-home Hospice, but it was pretty cut and dried because we all knew she had about a week after ceasing dialysis. But it ended up being very weird because it took many hours after she'd passed away for the funeral home/crematorium team to come and collect her. And when they finally arrived, it was two women and they couldn't carry her and so my brother and John had to carry her up the outside stairs to the van to transport her. It was...traumatic. And Dad hadn't bothered to pull the sheet up... So I would opt for a hospice facility, personally (because of all of that). What was the gold foil used for? Interesting. And that ring is lovely. I really like the style of it. (Most are so frou-frou, and that is simply beautiful). I've heard of "Bellevue Rare Coins" and they are also located in Tacoma. My understanding is that they are very reputable.

Yep!

Yes, you are right! There is a structural engineering "shear" that was stuck in my head from over the years.

Oregon is even worse. At least here, people 65 and older can be vaccinated. For Helen (who is 65), it's ambiguous and not clear at all for her. Probably not until March and where she lives internet access is lame which makes setting up an appointment almost impossible. (And her husband is 70 and can't get an appointment). Grrrrrr!

Oh Margaret, I am so sorry you are going through all of this. Yes, you have the right to be angry! And I relate—when my dad was hospitalized back in 2011 (when it was EVENTUALLY determined that he had kidney failure which I HAD FIGURED OUT LONG BEFORE THE DOCTOR DID), he was then sent to a rehab center. We could visit then (of course), but it was so depressing. He was there for a full month, and then he finally did improve (the issue was cognitive, and once dialysis began it made a big difference). Our parents' decline is so hard, and what many of us have faced or are facing now. Our goal with my dad was that he could go home and enjoy the Camano Island sunsets. And he was able to do that for 4 more years.

Huh! They actually made statues like that back in the day? I love it! Well, at least I laughed about it! Makes me wonder what other ancient statues are out there that would make my great-aunt blush? (I've always gotten a kick out of the fountains with the water flowing out of a boy's/man's penis). Today's the 24th--how is your dad? Oh man, I hope he's able to come home.

Such a hard and stressful time for you. (And I keep thinking about how hard it is for your mom, too). I sensed a wee bit of spring today (the 24th) while I was out feeding the birds. I ache for you!

I've learned (the hard way, and in fact I think I actually learned before but forgot!) that Kristen Hannah is FRUSTRATING. Argh! Apparently she is from Bainbridge Island! Did you know that? The book of hers I recently read took place in Snohomish County/Seattle/Tacoma and I would have sworn she wasn't all that familiar with those places. (Fire Fly Lane. It's also a series on...HBO Max? I can't remember, but we watched it and then I was curious to read the book. The series was...OK, but I actually enjoyed it more than the book).

Sounds like we BOTH have "difficult" sisters-in-law" (grrrr). I'm so exhausted. And so sorry to hear about your dad.

I remember when I came down to Harstine one weekend during the time John was working on the house interior and he'd just completed the guest bathroom. He told me he'd found a shower curtain and I remember thinking: Hmm. Okay.... And then I saw it and I LOVED IT. Still have it (we've been here SIX YEARS, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!) I should have known. Our tastes are basically EXACTLY the same.

I remember my (female) bosses used that. "OK, pull up those big girl panties and deal with it when the engineers tell you to bend over because always keep in mind that THEIR work is BILLABLE." Basically, I've heard versions of that my entire work life. And yes, usually from women. And I think that's all I have to say.

For months I was addicted with Wordscapes, and then I was suddenly NOT. I can't even come up with the words of WHY that's the case. I think it was because I was quite good at it, did pretty well, and then suddenly it got HARD. (Don't know if it was me or the game). It's been a weird year. John gave me some flowers (I was truly surprised! He hasn't been out much to get them so he had to think about it in advance). Since I hadn't gotten him anything, I cooked up a rather fancy dinner. That was fun!

I knew for several years that my dad was failing, but his death was completely sudden and unexpected. Ultimately, I was happy that he had a few extra years to at least somewhat enjoy life at his beloved place on earth (Camano Island) and see more sunsets. And I also think that (ultimately) his then sudden death was a blessing. I don't know. It's always so hard, even when expected. I'm sure I would have very much enjoyed you as a teacher! I wish I could have been a bug on a wall and witnessed your classroom magic!

I totally know how hard this is for YOU, but I'm thinking it's a very good thing that she's been offered this extra year. One more year (hopefully mostly pandemic-free) where she can seriously look into her future options. What is Ryan doing? Is his work mobile? I definitely enjoyed the impressive snow, and now I'm very happy to have it GONE! :o)

I think it's mostly their similar noses and dark hair (and high foreheads). I got my curly hair from Grandpa (who is mostly Irish BTW!)

No "snowmageddeon," but definitely some snow. It's pretty! Glad I don't have to worry about driving in it, even though it's not much. However, I suspect there is a fair amount more up and above where we live, even as close as the mail box (about a mile away, but UP). We'll see what tomorrow morning brings. Not into Valentine's Day, aside from maybe making a semi-special dinner. Not sure what that might be this year!

I was SO frustrated (and furious) when my mom was going through all of her medical issues. NONE OF THE DOCTORS COMMUNICATED WITH EACH OTHER. Yeah, it was back in the earlier 2000s, but still. And it seems like nothing has improved. I deal with it myself! The primary care doc doesn't communicate with the specialists, and vice versa. I just...hate it. I remember not trusting myself (with what I might say, or the screaming I might do) with my mom's back surgeon. She was in such godawful pain and even back then there was such a stigma about pain meds because "she might get addicted." I wrote a letter to him to ask what could be done, and do we really have to worry about addiction? Who the "F" cares when somebody is suffering so much that her eyes were sunk into her head and all she could do was howl? (I mean, really). He wrote back and explained (kindly) that there was simply nothing he could do. Mom knew. And so she considered her newly diagnosed kidney failure as a blessing: to stop dialysis and end it all. At 70. Your pictures aren't showing up again. So frustrating! It does scare me that Typepad is not doing anything to support the issue. I don't want to lose my blog if they decide to shut 'r down.

So, it's currently snowing "invisibly." What I mean is that I can't SEE the snow falling (no lights that aren't under cover), but we've seen it mount up on the deck rails. I'm thinking 2-3 inches total? And all I've seen today are tiny flakes. We're supposedly to get a bunch tonight, but it's dicey to predict being so close to sea level. I guess we'll see when we get up in the morning! Isn't that so sad about Davey! I had him in my Minority Studies class (I loved that class, with Mr. Jim Taylor). Davey was always very shy.