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Tonya
Harstine Island, Washington
A safe harbor, a good place to enjoy the view
Recent Activity
Yes. We have been pulled back from that precipice, but it still looms before us.
Basking
I am over the moon! I am so relieved! Welcome, President Biden! A lot of people have said that democracy prevailed. But my still-roiling gut is telling me that democracy survived, barely, with fingernails scrabbling the slippery slope of the precipice, holding on for dear life. The sheer effort ...
Oh, how sad! I sense that this had to be quite interesting at some point (!) for your mother! Her best friend marrying her father! That could have been complicated, but it sounds like it worked out very well!
A goodbye
The story of my step-grandma is long, and complicated. She was my mom's best friend in high school, the maid of honor in her wedding, and eventually the second wife of my much older grandfather. Although not a blood relative, she was generous and supportive and we considered her a member of our ...
I have NOT gotten tired of all the Bernie memes. It cracks me up every time I see one. He's certainly a traveler, isn't he? I mean, even to the moon and Mars! Lol
John has "registered" to get his vaccine, now that he is eligible, but we'll see how it goes. They'll supposedly contact him when the vaccine is available. I sense that Mason Co. doesn't/won't get an abundance of the vaccine, unless that changes soon. Us remote/rural areas aren't seeing a whole lot of "abundance," at least YET. I was impressed that they updated their website to accommodate the now 65+ folks, and there is supposedly a "mass clinic" being set up for the end of the month.
I love all of our "smart home" stuff. We have a few of those plugs, especially for the Christmas tree and garlands (and a couple of lamps), but John installed "smart" outlets so we're able to turn on/off all of our lights in groups, such as "Daytime," "Company," or "Gone," which means everything except some periphery lights turn off. It really makes me appreciate it when our power goes out and I have to go around and MANUALLY turn off every single light! The horror! Lol
Daily Drivel
January, although a dreary month even without a pandemic, is one of my favorite sleeping months. I love a cold bedroom, and always have my window a little open. I also sleep much more soundly when it's dark; between my black out blind and the lack of light in winter, I end up much better rested ...
Basking
I am over the moon! I am so relieved! Welcome, President Biden! A lot of people have said that democracy prevailed. But my still-roiling gut is telling me that democracy survived, barely, with fingernails scrabbling the slippery slope of the... Continue reading
Posted 2 days ago at Kingfisher Cove
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2
John and I got up early (albeit not early enough to watch the orange asshat leave the White House--no interest in that) and we watched ALL DAY LONG. We loved it! I was also weepy all day long. My emotions completely spilled over, after these four years of hell. The relief! And such GOOD people on the TV screen. I love Gaga and she soared with the National Anthem. Not a huge fan of JLo or the country/western guy, but they did fine. Amanda Gorman blew me away. (Man did I weep THEN!) Everything! It was cathartic and everything I needed. I feel liberated. (I'm realistic, though; I know we're in for tough stuff, and I suspect the republicans will continue to be monsters).
Eight months!! Holy cow! He must be crawling by now, right? What a beautiful little boy he is!
I ache about your dad. I'm glad he's decided to get treatment.
Inauguration, etc.
“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it If only we’re brave enough to be it" Amanda Gorman National Youth Poet Laureate A major difference between John and me is that he got up at 5:30 a.m. to tune in to the Inauguration whereas I kept to my normal time of 8 a.m. I ...
Three Wednesdays in a Row (Three “I” Words)
Posted 4 days ago at Kingfisher Cove
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Yeah, just learned yesterday (via Gov. Inslee) that John is now eligible to get a vaccination (but not me). The thing is, there is NO information anywhere about how he is supposed to go about getting his vaccination. I suppose he'll start with his doctor, but Mason Co. is not forthcoming about any big vaccine sites. I sure hope that once Biden's admin. kicks in, that it will truly improve all of this crap and the vaccines start pouring in, allowing all of us to get one in short order.
Your anger and depression are understandable and warranted. You have every right to kick something. (But I am thankful that Mari adores you).
The winter of my discontent
My frustrations are often relatively insignificant, and I work hard at focusing on the long term picture. Right now, in spite of this uplifting message, I'm standing at the bottom of the mountain, and I'm too tired to climb. I'm not looking at the bright side of anything at the moment. I'm ...
This truly is an awesome mask!
I am very nervous about the inauguration. And I was also very nervous about Congress certifying the electoral votes (so, you know, January 6th). I sure hope I'm wrong about THIS.
On hope
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, ...
I say go for it. Over the past few months I've been debating buying an Aerogarden (an electric indoor doohicky that grows herbs and/or salad veggies from pods in water and under a timed light). It wasn't terribly expensive, but felt a little...silly? Until I realized (or justified) that it really was not silly because those fresh things are difficult when you live in the boonies. So I did it, and I'm now beginning to see little green noses protruding! I'm so excited! Ah, to have fresh basil or dill or thyme! And later, lettuce! I'm so excited! And yes, a decent coffee maker is important!
Holding on
Even when my 2002 Chevy Trailblazer was on its last legs, I kept getting expensive electrical repairs done. In a colleague's words: "Margaret, it's like putting a pacemaker in a zombie!" Everyone (including me) knew that I needed to buy a different car, but I was attached to the Trailblazer. It ...
About the longest we can be away is 4 days with our cats. We can leave out enough food for that amount of time, and they can choose to use the litter box or the pet door to go outside. But, that works for us (those 4 days, when necessary, which it hasn't been for quite a while). I have to say that I have very much become accustomed to NOT having dogs. We did for so many years, and they were such a big part of our lives, and though I miss THEM, I don't miss having dogs.
Reflections
“We do not think ourselves into new ways of living, we live ourselves into new ways of thinking.” ― Richard Rohr Without many of my social activities and lacking my usual travel and Happy Hours, I've had (too?) much time to think. As I've reflected and adapted to my circumstances, I've transform...
Ugh, now the FBI is having to vet all the National Guard troops because they've been infiltrated with right wing radicalization. But what about the FBI people? Jeeze. Who the hell is trustworthy anymore?
Convergence zones
Weather forecasters are commonly mocked in the Pacific Northwest because through little fault of their own, they often get predictions disastrously wrong. It's all about our unpredictable convergence zones. So, to cover their you-know-whats, they will go overboard if there is a snowflake coming ...
Who Would Have Thought Two Impeachments? (Me!)
Posted Jan 14, 2021 at Kingfisher Cove
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John's a gem. No doubt about it!
It's hard to even imagine my parents being alive now, what all we are going through. What would they THINK in their "normal" frames of mind about this current world? (I'm thinking it's good they don't know...)
Faces
This is how my face has looked for most of 2021 so far. Picture me much older with longer scraggly hair and worried furrows in my forehead. This photo is from my high school's yearbook, and I was in my 30s. That seems like approximately 100 years ago! Or perhaps I'm feeling about 100 years old...
Sending out Christmas cards used to be a huge PROJECT for me. It always involved a newsletter designed in Pagemaker and then InDesign, and collecting the best photos throughout the year in a special file on my computer. Then the writing and the layout. I did enjoy it, but it was a LOT of time-consuming work. I haven't done it now for years. A small part of me feels guilty about it, but the big part of me is A-OK. Just too much. (And not a lot to even "brag" about, except my grandson, and my blog takes care of that).
What a wonderful picture of you and John! And then such adorable bright-eyed grandson! GOD HE'S SO ADORABLE!
New Year's Cards
I think I've sent out my last NY card of the year. Prior to 2012 I did Christmas cards, and LOTS of them. I typed a letter (usually humorous and not too bragging) on the computer, printed it out on holiday stationery and included the best recent photo of our family. Everything changed eight year...
Yeah, finished Bridgerton last night and it was...ok. Decent escape, I'll say that. (The sex scenes didn't bother me). My main issue was that they all seemed to talk so fast that keeping up with the subtitles was challenging. It was actually kind of fun.
And I LOVE your meme! Yes, it's not difficult to make one. I have a handful of times.
(Out)Numbered
I'm one of those who specializes in second guessing, and is always willing to admit that I could be wrong. Unfortunately, there was much that I predicted (correctly!) in these past four years that others scoffed at, until now. "It's not going to be that bad!" "We have lots of checks and balances...
I'm so sorry your dad's news isn't encouraging. I've certainly been there, and it was over quite a few years of ups and downs. And then the shock. He was gone. It's like this week hearing everyone say: "I'm shocked but not surprised." I hope he's feeling OK.
I just can't get over this week and it's awfulness.
This and that...and my cat
I'm still processing the events of January 6, and what seemed to be clear at the time is being spun yet again by the QAnon crazies. Antifa in disguise? (no) Patriots? (h*ll no) It's been amusing to hear those apologize who got caught and fired from their jobs or arrested--a bit late for regrets!...
There for a while I was addicted to Wordscapes, but I haven't played for a number of months. (Kind of like I haven't done any glass fusing for a number of months). Too much emotional unrest, so I've been escaping into books and Netflix.
What a TEASE to see tulip noses! Once the holidays are over, I am SO READY for spring, and yet winter has only just begun.
159
John got me started on Wordscapes, and also introduced me to Alexa's Question of the Day. (with a bonus question if I answer the first one correctly) Every day, Alexa tells me how long my play streak is, and I'm reminded painfully that I started when I returned from New York in July. So, today i...
I'm afraid that trump is only the tip of the iceberg. There are miles of rot beneath him. The radicalized cult is massive.
Coup
When we warned people who we cared about back in 2016 that trump was corrupt, a liar, that he was an authoritarian sociopath, that he was a horrible person, that he was a racist, that he was deplorable—we were accused of hyperbole. We were “snowflakes.” Oh, and “libtards.” (Actually, more disres...
Coup
Posted Jan 7, 2021 at Kingfisher Cove
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What a heavy, heavy day. I was sooooo gleeful about winning the two Senate seats in Georgia (unbelievable!), and that glee was quickly dashed to utter horror. I've been wiping tears all friggin' day long. And I am white hot furious. No republican had best cross my line of sight because my eyes will sear their asses with lasers.
Coup d'état
I am speechless, and for those of you who know me well, that's nearly unheard of. Although I am happy that my terminally ill father is still here with us at 92, I'm heartbroken that he's alive to witness this day. When I got to my parents' house, he was watching the news, and he looked silently ...
Staring into the Middle Distance
Posted Jan 5, 2021 at Kingfisher Cove
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I see all of your pictures!
Your hair is getting so long! I did a major trim on mine the other day. (It feels much better; I had a lot of split ends).
John and I started watching Bridgerton tonight first two episodes), and I would say it's more like a combo of Pride and Prejudice and Gossip Girls! We actually rather enjoyed it. It's a little sexy, but I would never think 50 Shades of Gray sexy (yuck). I love the matter-of-fact diversity, and got a kick out of the ball scenes orchestration of Billie Eilish tunes. We finished the 2nd season of His Dark Materials last night and I miss it! Very well done, and now I'm curious how they'll do the 3rd season (based on The Amber Spyglass). The CGI folks will have a lot on their plate. And it'll probably be a while.
Disappointed
Although I've made it (mostly) through this part of the pandemic without too much angst, I've found myself brought down by my chronic photo issues. It makes me wonder if the frustration is worth it; I do love blogging, but I'm exhausted at the thought of moving my blog, and am relatively certain...
After several of your previous posts missing photos (at least from my point of view!), this post displays them all. In previous posts, when I clicked on the broken link, I would get a black box and no photo would show up at all. When it's happened to me, I've gone back and re-uploaded the affected photos, and it seems that has worked (although a bit of a pain). Interesting that your other commenters didn't experience that, though!
Picture problems
I'm assuming that my readers would tell me if photos were missing from my posts. If you haven't, please do! I'm tearing out my hair because many have disappeared on my end! I've tried switching browsers, looking at my cell phone, and clearing my cache. Typepad has this to say: What is happening ...
I know that Helen and her husband had a 6-HOUR Zoom with her husband's family! How does that work? (I'll need to ask her!) I'm not sure what "House Party" is?
Low key NYE for us, but we did stay up and watched the trippy digital overlay on TV of the Space Needle. I sure hope we get fireworks back next year! Last year there were no fireworks because it was too windy.
Partay like it's 2021
New Year's Eve (2020 style) meant playing a bunch of games on House Party with four household locations represented: Washington state, California, Iowa and New York. A couple of those places have spotty Wifi, so that was challenging, but we persevered and ended up enjoying the time "together."...
Your new carpet looks wonderful! And happy new year to you! I'm holding my breath—this upcoming week is going to be nerve-wracking.
Very worrying about your parents, Margie. :o(
Wishing you a 2021
I'm anti-resolution and anti-Happy New Year, which makes me sound extremely grumpy and pessimistic. However, I always strive to deal with whatever comes my way with courage and the brightest spirit I can muster. No matter the year, we get joys and tragedies, most of them out of our control. The ...
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