Yes. We have been pulled back from that precipice, but it still looms before us.

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!

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

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.

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).

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.

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!

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.

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?

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...)

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!

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.

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.

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.

I'm afraid that trump is only the tip of the iceberg. There are miles of rot beneath him. The radicalized cult is massive.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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(