59

I appreciate that Ken sent me flowers (remember how I said these were the toughest times at work?). I also appreciate that the florist decided to make pussy-hat ears on the packaging.

58

Just another one of those moments -- on my commute, stopped by the lowered gates for the passing train (and therefore having a legit moment to take a picture) -- thinking about how utterly New England it is around here. You can always tell the real remnants of our famous rock walls; the stones are not especially pretty nor even, moss has discolored the rocks over time and various repairs have been hastily made.

57

I forgot to take the real *before* picture -- you know, before we emptied all the shelves and took all the pictures off the walls and stuff -- I always forget to take the real *before* picture. But, nonetheless, here we are after having gotten almost completely ready for the wallpaper to come down. Aside from painting it, we have longer term plans to re-imagine and re-purpose this odd little room, but we're finally getting starting with Step One.

56

Feeling well enough-ish to get out for a walk before the weather turns brutally cold again. We've been watching Ken Burn's series on the Roosevelts (thank you, NetFlix) and I highly recommend it. I think that aside to being drawn in to the story of this incredible family, we are also taking solace from it -- that out of ridiculously hard times can come greatness, that this country has staggered and fallen to its knees and gotten up again, that the office of the presidency has survived weak, corrupt men and has also been a platform for resurrection and brilliance.

55

Just two weeks until these bins multiply, and overflow, and carry off acceptance packages to next year's group of high school ninth graders. And other envelopes go out too; small, flat, plain ones that carry the news that no one is hoping to get and that I hate to have to send.  It's the busiest, and most stressful, two weeks of the year every year; bird song and weak sunlight are helping me face it.

54

Dreaming. And trying to deal with our weather roller coaster; spring, early summer, and deep winter all within the week.

53

Back on my feet, at least.

52

When I imagine staying home for a sick day, I picture myself wrapped up on the sofa and reading a good book, or sewing, or otherwise *enjoying* the downtime. But all I can do is sit here, and doze, and blow my nose a bazillion times, and wish I were feeling well enough to go to work. Yuck.

51

Well, I suppose it's true. Not delighted to have come down with a nasty cold, but relieved it's the day after my birthday, and trying to take solace in the little secret messages on the cough drops....

50

We spent my birthday today at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. We don't get in  as often as I'd like, and have a knack for missing the exhibitions that we want to see (ok, we are DEFINITELY going to the Botticelli exhibit when it comes -- you heard me say it), and it never lives up to the standards set for me by the Art Institute of Chicago but nonetheless it was an ideal little birthday outing.

 The MFA has gotten a lot less stodgy over the years; while at one time I can imagine that they *might* have gone for this installation at holiday time, they never would have made it permanent as it now is.

 Roasted cauliflower soup and why yes, a glass of champagne, for lunch -- restorative and festive.

Robert McCloskey's art is a sacred part of nearly every New England childhood -- so, not books I grew up with but absolutely ones that we read over and over and over again to Dean; the gallery full of his work was wonderful and the most bestest way to end our visit.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

49

I resisted this

reasonably priced at ten

I need to go back

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

48

It was a magically perfect Friday night, after a long day and week of work. Started with the gift of such strong, warming sunlight as I stepped out of the office; ah, it's feeling spring-y! Then home to a margarita to go with the nachos for dinner, consumed while we watched a very all-time favorite movie. We flipped on the TV and found we could catch the last period of BU's hockey game which we knew Dean was attending -- and literally, about 4 minutes or so after turning it on, our Terriers scored to tie up the game and the camera focuses on Dean and his friend's celebrating the goal -- Dean's happy face right in the center of our set. I mean, that's the universe looking out for you.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

47

Woke up to a couple more inches of snow today -- the kind that wanted to make everything look magical again.  I wish I could take pictures when I'm driving, but I can't -- almost my entire drive to work is tree-lined back roads and I felt like I was in Narnia.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

46

Moonset.  Moon set.  Is that a thing? I was thrilled to catch this glimpse of the moon when I pulled the car out of the garage to head off to work.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

45

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

44

Meet the newest member of the family. Only I think I accidentally packed away her potential mate with the Christmas decorations....


A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

43

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

42

 I know when I am being lied to.

We're in the heart of our hard winter, now. Cold, grey days when you never see the sun; timing grocery store runs in between storms (and hoping they still have milk and break and eggs because people rush out in DROVES for those things as soon as a storm is forecast); getting out and shoveling, warming up, and then getting out to do more; ah, a nice fresh, hot pizza for dinner as a reward. We haven't lost power which is always something to be so, so thankful for, and we've been in a drought here so the snows help alleviate that. And maybe, just maybe, Monday will be a snow day instead -- definitely something to celebrate.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

41

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

40

An all-day storm, a snow day for working from home (oh well), shoveling, and just a wee bit of crafting. Mr. Gnome looks less lumpy in person, although I think the pattern needs some work in terms of that hand placement.... Hmmmmm

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

39

The kind of morning that made us both grateful to have gotten to work safely (and then home again, too!); we're in for a major blizzard tomorrow and so at least know that we'll be hunkered down here at home. It's been, overall, a mild winter with little snow so it would be churlish to complain. Also, I think that at least one big snowfall (predictions range from 10" to 16") is important for the natural processes that count on it. In the meantime, raising a glass of wine to the safety of all those we love -- you, too.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

38

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

37

Brunch and made-to-order omelettes are the upside to having to work on days at school when the teachers and students are off but the administrative offices are open. That, and coming home in time to see a gentle little sunset and to take a little walk with Ken before making dinner. We're pretending spring is coming, and I suppose it's true that it is....

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

36

Visitors are always a bit amused and baffled by our "Thickly Settled" signs; just another one of those things that you don't "see" if you see them every day. We got out for a couple of walks this weekend, which does help me feel just a little less thickly settled....

And a mythical, storybook moon to say goodnight. SkyView, as I think of it, is a free app for your phone which I highly recommend; while the moon isn't a challenge to identify, it will let you know exactly what each star and planet (and space station/satellite) is that lights up your sky.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

35

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

34

Repaired,


A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

33

The groundhog says six more weeks of winter, and I wonder if he means it literally or metaphorically.

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.

32

A photo a day over at Chicken Blog, too.