Odds and Ends!

I'm here nursing a cold with not a lot to report. After the fun road trip with Jan, I had to have my usual reclusive time, which led to limbo time - I haven't been able to focus or get much done since. just lying around in limbo-land. Thus, I am behind in everything!!

Tippy and Rosie time

• Ann - thank you so much for your recent email. I had not heard from you in a while but thought you were busy grandmothering!! Will be in touch ASAP.
• Cheryl - all of my routines are broken and I haven't tangled (or walked) in weeks!! Send me anything you've done as a motivator. I hope all is well there.
• Eileen - we need to catch up, too. No doubt you are as busy as ever!
• Jan - have been meaning to let you know that I've made the pickled onions and am enjoying them with avocado toast. If I could just find the large sun-dried tomatoes like we had.....not that I really need to, but they would be delicious.
• Jean M for Doug - a belated Happy Birthday!! It looked like you are celebrating well. Hope you enjoyed the trip.
• Rhonda T - Rosie and I are still alive (just hibernating!). You asked about Tippy and she is doing well....as you can see. She is out and about and sounding like her usual self. She has lost a lot of weight and has the terrible problem of eating everything she can to add the pounds! We got together this week and she came over for some Rosie time!!

I'm sure there are others to whom I owe a message - please forgive me and be in touch again. I will do better!!

In addition to my usual activities,

• I have joined World Affairs Council. This month's speaker was Dr. Monica Limpia from Costa Rica, speaking on A Small Country with Big Ideas. It was very interesting and makes me even more interested in visiting Costa Rica.
• Chris and I went to a Lean Ensemble play, The Humans, about a dysfunctional family at Thanksgiving, which will lead us appropriately into the holidays!! So as not to end on a sad note, we followed the play with a nice meal and good conversation.
• We also went to see The Capitol Steps (We put the mock in democracy!) on Sunday. They were very entertaining and clever, but then they have had a lot of political material on almost a daily basis. 

It has turned cooler here and it is nice to see the leaves falling and feel the crisp morning air. It seems to add a spring to Rosie's step {and mine} as we take our morning walk. By now, you know that Rosie is Miss Congeniality in the neighborhood. My neighbors about four doors down have two granddaughters who spend Friday nights with them. The girls have drawn pictures - one of two girls and a little dog and the other with a rainbow and "WE ARE HERE"! It is our code that when the pictures are posted on their front door, we are to ring the doorbell and let Rosie play with them! I can let Rosie off the leash halfway up the driveway with the assurance that she will only go to their door and whine until they admit her. Then she will run around in a circle - through the kitchen, dining room and den - until she tires. The girls will try to follow while squealing and laughing all the way. It really is fun. Rosie loves it and it makes me happy, too.

Wednesday, November 13: I began this post several days ago but have just gotten back to finish it. The cold wave has hit and the impeachment starts today, so it seemed like a perfect day to stay inside, stay warm, and possibly get a few things done. 

• Tonight is Drinking Liberally and I'm introducing a neighbor to the group. I also invited a lady whom I met at the polls last Tuesday to join us - we've got to make those connections.  
• Tomorrow night is a cocktail party given by one of the steering committee members of LIberal Ladies. This is the same lady whose husband died the day before she had invited us over several months ago! We are all hoping this one is less eventful.
• Then Friday, Chris and I are going to see Harriet (which has gotten great reviews) and then celebrate Chris' birthday with dinner at a new Italian restaurant, which has also gotten good reviews. If it stays this cold, pasta will hit the spot.
• Sunday afternoon, Lynn, Tom and I are giving a meet-and-greet for those in our neighborhood whom we have identified as being liberal-minded. We sent the invitation about 10 days ago and included a resource sheet of as many democratic groups as we could identify. It will be interesting to see what kind of response we get.

So, the holidays aren't even here yet and the schedule is already hectic. This part of the year always goes very fast and we will be in a new year before we know it. I'm not sure I'm ready for it.

I thought I'd leave you with this Halloween decoration. My neighbors outdid themselves this year. They usually have these guys out, but having him climbing the tree is a special touch! I'm always amazed at the effort some people put into Halloween, especially since there are so few kids in the neighborhood. Another cute one was of three witches, all is black flowing fabric which moved with the wind, with pointy hats and holding hands. The first time Rosie saw them, she was frightened. She put her tail down and turned to go home! I reassured her and then she just stood there with her nose twitching, trying to get a scent from them. It took us about four passings before she could walk by without being bothered by them.

Take care and stay warm!