Winter Lights, Happy Times

 

Just a beautifully decorated home I passed on my way to a hike this week.

My daughter and I had a wonderful visit with my two sisters last weekend. They left for their homes Sunday which are 2 and 3 hours away. Just as my mom used to do, I reminded them to let me know when they arrived safely. The largest part of our time was spent chatting, laughing, and reminiscing. We did quite a bit of cooking (me), went to a Ukrainian Christmas Market, visited NightWood light and music event, and ended our visit with a late lunch at the Tipsy Moose Tavern. We made tentative plans to meet again in January to go through family photos, digitize them, and possibly create a memory book or two.

This is what happens when I take a photo without my glasses - a bit blurry.
We enjoyed walking the Night Woods trail and listening to the enchanting music.

The Mount is such a stately house and never disappoints. The snow made it even more magical.


Me and my daughter, chilly but happy. It was a sub freezing night but with no wind
it was surprisingly comfortable. I gave everyone hand and foot warmers to get
us through the cold.

My post-op appointment went well, but I was terribly disappointed. I was under the impression that the packing would be removed and I would be able to hear out of that ear again. The reality is that both my middle ear and ear canal are packed with surgical gel foam and it will slowly dissolve over the next month! It took me a few hours to come to terms with this and just get on with my life. The crackling sounds, itching, and deafness will just be my companions for the foreseeable future. 

The Fab Four got out for a nature walk and early dinner. We only went 2.5 miles as AJ had Mohs surgery in the morning, and I can't do much more than walk until my ear heals. We are getting older for sure!

Me, Susan, AJ, and Ann Marie had a frigid walk on the Nature Preserve.

This was at 2pm and the sun was heading down towards the horizon.
I do love the soft muted colors of winter.

My daughter is here for another week, but she’ll spend a little time with her dad, as well as her ex-stepmother. I have a bunch of get togethers, but most are during her working hours so no worries there.
We watched the latest Knives Out mystery, of which she is a fan. We watched the first two movies last week to get me into the series. They were a fun watch! 

Today I had book club to discuss Widow For A Year by John Irving. Two in the group didn't finish it, and I wish I hadn't spent so much time on what I thought was a mediocre story. Our next book is Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. This book has been recommended by many and various sources, so we decided it's time.

Now I'm baking some cookies to bring to an evening hike, bonfire, and cookie exchange with my hiking group. Another winter outing in the dark - perfect for the approaching winter solstice - the darkest time of the year. 

The post hike bonfire - it was nice to catch up with Sheila and Patty!

The cookie exchange - just what I need along with my activity restrictions.

My Dad would always joyously announce that the daylight would start increasing from December 21st on. He was such an optimist; a trait I most often carry on as well. I just realized that he died one day before the winter solstice. I don't know if there is any meaning in that, but it does reinforce my dislike of this darkest part of the year. Maybe that is why we try to fill it with light, merriment, and joy - to get us through. 

Comments

  1. MargaretDecember 17, 2025 at 11:29 PM

    We do start gaining light after the 21st; that's a great perspective to have. I do like the darkness though; it makes the evenings seem longer and I sleep so much better. How delightful to spend the time with your family, in spite of the cold! The Californian must really feel it. :) When my older daughter moved from Los Angeles to Poughkeepsie, I heard many complaints about the cold, which she's never been a fan of. I'm so sorry about your disappointing ear news. I don't know if you remember my ear issues last November, but I thought I would go insane from the popping, crackling, plugging and washing machine sounds. I can relate.

    ReplyDelete
  2. PamDecember 23, 2025 at 5:35 PM

    Gosh, what a lot of snow you have! Brrrr!

    ReplyDelete
  3. MaureenDecember 23, 2025 at 8:10 PM

    We had a lot of rain and all the snow is gone now. It will be a brown Christmas this year.

    ReplyDelete

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