Hibernating

Forgive me for dreaming of spring.  The days seem just a little bit longer, as it's still light out at 5pm.  There's only one little pile of snow in the yard.  And, from what I see of national weather reports, everyone enjoyed a bit of no coat weather over the weekend.  I worked outside, and we went to a "Four Freedoms" march in Pittsfield with just a sweater on, and one of the speakers reminded us that the first march took place three years ago in 12-degree weather.  

Other than that, I tell people we're pretty much just hibernating up here.  With no trip to Gabon this year, we have a little extra time on our hands.  Our calendars have whole days with nothing scheduled.  Mary has been in the "tidying up" mode, and her desk and closets are looking pretty organized.  We remind ourselves, pretty much on a daily basis, where we were a year ago, with Mary incapacitated because of back pain.  Speaking of health, Mary has started her parasite treatments, and so far so good.  No negative reactions.  

One more health issue, involving Mary's brother Michael's grandson.  Michael was struck by meningitis, and he fell into a coma and was in the hospital for over a month.  He is now out, and in rehab, slowly working to get back both mental and physical functions he lost.  He was young, barely 25, with a partner and two children.

Paula won a silent auction bid for a photographer, who they arranged to come over on Christmas Day and take photos of the whole family (which she later posted on Facebook.)  They're really quite good, of everyone, and I include one here.  

Word from Dundee is that Andrew and Lur took in Hamilton, in the next to last night of its scheduled run.  He said some of the actors looked a little emotional during the curtain call.  And, they joined the acclamations for the show.  Daniel joined them for dinner before the show.  Study the photos above (from our trip in December to Illinois, and see who's taller - Daniel or me.

Peter was here for a night, driving a little further from the Litchfield CT court where he is working on a pretty sordid case involving the Hotchkiss School.  He told us a little more of Johanna and Cameron's wedding plans, but nothing yet for publication.  Happy photo above, from Facebook.

News from Brazil is there are many words coming out of Thomas' mouth, in both languages.  He is on extended summer vacation from his pre-school.  Santa, or Papa Noel, came a little late as his pouches (diplomatic) were re-routed through Lisbon.  C'mon elves!

Some of those pouches had birthday presents for Joe, and Margaret and Jeffrey also celebrated birthdays.  Happy days.

Annie and Sankar got back from their trip to Japan, on a trip that started when she came here before Christmas.  She had an unscheduled layover in Hawaii and went to the beach.  Joe said when he gets delayed, it's usually in Newark.  Anyway, she's back and getting reacquainted with her kitties that a neighbor kindly watched for her. 

 
Finally, Mary has joined a bridge class, and one of the teachers was Colleen's son, Robbie.  He is heading down to Daytona next week

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And, this is football season.  W pass along a Facebook post that someone's child asked if there would still be a Super Bowl if the Patriots weren't playing.

That's a wrap.  Love from up here.