dughlas

Greetings Albert. I'm well enough thank you. The weather here has improved in the last 24 hrs. Sunshine and not so warm and muggy it's more like winter for here. Hope you and Steve are well.

Under normal circumstances this time of year can be difficult. We're definitely not functioning under normal circumstances so this year it seems doubly if not more difficult. Perhaps if the weather allows take a long walk outdoors with Cookie or give that lovely mare of yours an extra brushing. Get out of the house and breathe some fresh air. I know you're working diligently to prepare a space for your son but I think you might benefit from a day off. Do something different. Break the routine you're in. Are you permitted to take a drive with no intended destination but just for the sake of taking a drive? Ignore the news, trust me, if the Emperor of Texas really does invade Canada you'll know. Play some lively music, watch a silly movie or read something entertaining purely because it's mindcandy. Mum would suggest you eat something you don't normally allow yourself. Don't over indulge but give yourself a treat. Ask your daughter when shops for groceries next if she might find some flower bulbs you could plant in a pot. I grow amaryllis and paperwhites indoors this time of year. In the depth of winter I need that bit of color for my own sense of well-being. I know you know all this but sometimes it seems we can get stuck inside our heads. Sorry if the pep talk is too much. Just remember you are loved and cherished.

Practice makes prefect, you're nearly there.

Awww, you baked. Thanks Page. I've never had a marzipan kilt.

Thank you. Actually, those who know me in the mundane world know me as Doug. It's those blessed, or not, who only know me online that know me as Dughlas.

Yeah but he brought his cake knife with him so it's only right to share.

Thanks Gary.

I need him to help eat the cake.

Thanks Sis.

Thank you Albert, I think ☺️

Thanks B.

As it's the 10th Day of Christmas and my birthday I should like to claim my Lords a'Leaping ...

No dear boy it's not, though it does play very well with beets and carmelized onions.

Thankfully you didn't add kale, that would just be 🤢 She does have a point though, you put a beet salad with goat cheese on pizza.

We had pan-seared scallops with mixed veggies over grit cakes.

Another warmish damp day here. I just heard a frog croak outside my window. It's January for gosh sakes silly amphibian, crawl back in your hole and hibernate.

You can almost scent the woodsmoke on the air and feel the crispness of winter in each breath ... it's glorious to be alive and know there's a kettle warming on the stove to brew a warm cuppa when you get back inside.

So you've begun the new year by slacking your duties ... for shame. Okay, I'll admit I felt all day it was a Saturday as did mum and a neighbor.

They look tasty but I feel about jalapenos much as Val does peas ...

The garden in winter slumber lies, awaiting Spring's wakening zephyr kiss ... This one reminds me of winters past spent at my home up north. I haven't seen my garden dusted with snow for a awhile. Thank you for the memories this evoked. It is an outstanding photo.

Page Hi! Thanks for the birthday wishes.

Howdy your Magnanimous Texyness ...

What's Sean gonna say when he finds out ... wrestling can be half the fun. In truth though being slightly older than our intrepid author it's the aesthetics of those fit young bodies that appeal to me.

Hey, introducing a bunch of hot new junior flyboys will be just fine ...

Hmmm, it seems I best mind my manners a bit more diligently.