Gene - if this were last year, it wouldn't be too early for the pipes to freeze (thank you for remembering), but this year it's quite mild. We're staying above zero, as opposed to last year's steady diet of minus 31F.
Mourning doves - can't think if I've ever seen them in Canada. We do get swans up here

Yesterday I spent 6 hours on the phone getting our friend's phone issues resolved. Not completely done yet, and actually some hours were spent chatting online with one of the companies. On the plus side - I am now on his account as authorized to speak for him - cell phone, old landline phone company, and new landline phone company AND the crossed lines where someone's phone was coming through to him ("no, Janice doesn't live here, Doug does. This is Janice's dentist? We hope that Janice's phone # rings through to her tomorrow. Please try her then").
We went to the mall for awhile, and I walked through the mall on my cell phone. Then we went for dinner and I was on the cell phone then, too. They did a "call back" to me, and yes, I was sitting down in the restaurant when they did - I ate dinner through the call.
Another plus - Doug took full responsibility for the complete mix-up. He knows he can't hear well enough, and he's too proud to admit that he doesn't understand what's being said by fast-talking salespeople.
We were away from home for 12 hours - 2 of driving, 6 talking to people to resolve his issue, and 2 shopping for ourselves. By the time we got home it was 10pm and I was drained.
Because I'm on his account, I could deal with the rest today, at home without him having to be present. Poor Doug though - HE looked emotionally drained, but he was also very thankful that we came to the city to look after this for him. He knows he couldn't straighten out this, and he didn't know anyone else he could trust to have his best interests at heart.

You are a wonderful friend to have !

Happy Shortest Day of the Year to all !

Over Yonder, IL
36°/38°/25° Generally cloudy. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. 10% chance of rain.

Up Yonder, ME
43°/52°/46° Steady rain, may be heavy at times. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. 100% Chance of rain, possibly over one inch. Winds may gust over 40 mph. Flood watch, wind advisory, gale warnings in effect until 1am tomorrow.

Just got up a bit ago so not much accomplished other than feeding cats and getting the percolator ready to go. No big plans.

Susan, very nice of you to take the time to get your friend's phone issues resolved. He's very fortunate.

Winter has officially arrived.

34°/31°/25°
Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a steady temperature around 31. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph

Mac,
I have one birdbath that is tall a good 4' or so and the doves use it exclusively! The robins like the one that is on the ground. I set out five of various sizes and depths.

Jim,
The sun makes all the difference.
I'd like to be a ball of fluff sometimes and curl up and nap.

Cindy,
Oyster soup is just milk and the stuff drained off the oysters. I use whole milk. I start by gently heating the oysters in a lot of melted butter. Just until the gills open. Add the milk, season, and throw in a pinch of garlic powder. Heat until a simmer. Never boil. They will get clabbered.
I think I would like your Polish Easter soup.

Pepper,
You put in long hours! Thankfully they close!!!

Seil,
Try being gone three days, lol! I can't begin to read it all and just jump back in.
I love hearing all the different foods people make!

RpR,
You and me both on warm winters!

Dave,
Your bloom sure looks good!
I know it will be a long time, but I can't wait to see your crosses bloom!

Rj,
I'm glad your kids can be there for Christmas!

Skits,
I like your menu and some of it's on mine, lol!

Linda,
Laughing! The way they can smell up a room, maybe it's a good thing your paperwhites are tiny.

Susan,
I don't think any of us forget your frozen pipes, lol! I always wonder about them and am glad you haven't had to say they froze again.
I can't even imagine all you've gone thru trying to fix his phone problems. You are a true friend!

Happy Short day Gene!
It's all downhill from here, lol!

Mac,
Laughing! I just said it's all downhill from here and you write winter has officially arrived. I guess spring isn't on it's way just yet.

It did rain most of the day yesterday and is cold and windy this morning.

36/25 and mostly sunny today. It's starting to cool off. Caffeinating now.
I ran out of battery last night while readying and then dozed off Trying to catch up this morning but need to get ready for work.
Kids get here tomorrow night for a week

23/32/22 partially sunny!
Son and girlfriend got her yesterday, youngest daughter came up and spent the day4 Ginny

Got most of the shopping done for Christmas dinner we will be celebrating on the 23, will finish up today

Susan, Doug is lucky to have you and your husband in his life!

Happy Solctice, spring here we come!

Good morning. A dreary, dark morning, temp just above freezing overnight with light rain. Turned to snow briefly and the wind picked up some. Only mid-30s in the forecast for today. Shortest day of the year = family joke - DH hates winter so much because of going to and from work in the dark. Maybe not so bad this year since he's retired. Cleaning and baking today (easy stuff like pie, scones and muffins).
Sally - your oyster soup sounds yummy! Me and the kids would like it but DH not so much.

39 ,40 28 , with steadily slowly falling temperatures today ,
light rain , misty ,cloudy , foggy ,, mucky type days ,

Cindy , Shortest day of the year ,, = Sleeping at night longer ,

Sally , cats do look comfortable that way , built on ready use blanket with paw pillows ,,

Yesterday I spent $ Tuesday a family grouping ,

I do 5 cryptograms each morning. One from today.

Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. Dale Carnegie

Jim - when it's dark and dreary in the morning, I'm tempted to try to sleep more. If it's sunny, I want to get out of bed. I am sleeping more and better these days. I think magnesium has been helping and then there's the BP meds which make me tired. Plus less stress - that's a biggie!
Gene - I do crosswords at night if there's nothing to watch on tv, which is happening more often.

22 degrees F all eleven A.M.
Medium bright grey sky outside.
If there were a nice white cover of snow on the ground it would be a lot less dreary but probably five to ten degrees colder.
Snow is 99.9 percent gone up here.
Heading home today to exchange gifts with brother and cousin tomorrow; it will be good to see the Christmas Tree as Sharon did not put one up this year, just wreaths outside and no lit up decorations either.

I was at Menard's last night getting last minute gifts, a lot earlier than normal when it struck me that for the first time since we have been together, 30 plus years we did not go shopping at Menard's together.
She took time so I always wandered around, especially looking at the Christmas stuff for sale.
We have so much Christmas stuff not used but it is still sad for her not to add this , that and the other thing.

It should be a good Christmas yet I have an uneasy feeling as last time I had this before Christmas my Dad died.
I spent a goodly amount on stuff for Christmas for Sharon -- (doing like she does paying for stuff that needs fixing rather than wrapped gift ) .
Happy Christmas Eve, Eve, Eve, Eve.

Rp - Hope you can lift yourself out of the deja vu feelings. Best to live in the moment.

Early day at work today. Had Christmas party and we got to go home afterwards regardless of what time it was. Did gift exchange there. I was first so I got to be the last person who could steal from someone else. I originally won a metal stocking sign that said welcome but I stole a bottle of really good whiskey from a coworker and gave him the sign.

Today it's sunny and on the warm side although my truck only showed 38 it felt more like 50.

pepper here it is 36 degrees with with gusting to 28 mph , gray and rainy like ,
oh well maybe tomorrow ,,

Billporter....please tell me you take notes.

Susan, you are angels.

Cindy, do my BP meds make me tired? I just thought it was age. And when it's time to sleep I can't. I'm taking melatonin now. Helps to at least get me to sleep.

Still waiting for one gift to come in the mail. Many, many emails saying they can't find my order, even after I emailed them copies of emails with invoice and stating it was in the mail. ARRRGGGGHGHGHGH

Skits I tried Melatonin and I got to sleep but woke up several later then couldn't get back to sleep. Now I used Plant Therapy essential oil called Tranquil. I apply as directed every night and I fall asleep sooner and stay asleep longer.

Amanda I'd say you got a good trade

RpR I hope there's no repeat of that Christmas past. Here's some Christmas light for you

39/25 and partly sunny today. Last minute stuff today getting ready for the kids

Good morning. Another gray and overcast morning. We might get a little snow on Christmas Day but not holding my breath. Reorganized priorities so cleaning today, baking tomorrow.
Skits - I used to be on multiple meds at first. Took them in the morning and then it was downhill by 10am. Would really push to get anything done and sitting all afternoon. I knew this wasn't "me" even if I met BP goal. Miserable along with other side effects. Took myself off a med or two. Now I take them at night. Nice to have a doc willing to work with me. Magnesium seems to help overcome the anxious brain so I can fall asleep. Nowhere near BP target but still trying to find acceptable level for me. Various family members trying melatonin say it leaves them groggy in the morning.
Pepper - nice score on the gift!

She has her eye on me in case of treats