Snowy days

Snow is falling at this writing in Chicago and soon coming to Washington DC, and maybe New Jersey?  It's about time to share the fun with the rest of you.  We've had enough to go cross country skiing, snowshoeing, walking on the lake, shoveling, and putting clamps on our shoes so we don't slip and slide and fall and end up in the hospital.  Still, it'll be a few more weeks before we're ready to give up on winter and fires in the fireplace, and the rush of cold air on our faces.  In March?  Not so much.

Dodging hospitals is our priority, but we have been taking a few risks with the virus.  So far so good.  Anyone get their vaccination yet?  Ours is a way off, as they just opened up to 75 and above. 

We went down to DC over Martin Luther King Holiday, and ended up staying through to watch the inauguration, on television, of course.  Margaret had hurt her back, and we thought we could help a little.  It was pretty clear that she and Andrew have everything under control, but we didn't need much of an excuse.  Simon is sitting up, and we're pretty sure we got him clapping a few times.  At least we were clapping, at the thought of him clapping.

We did a fair amount of walking down there, and even with a purpose, going over to visit Annie who was renting a place just a few blocks away.  She is right now packing up and getting ready to move on to the next destination – Newport, Vermont.  She will stop here tonight, and then we'll go up for the night with her to help unpack.  Sankar is coming back from India later this week. 

The Washington crew got together with Jeffrey and Melodie over the weekend – after we left, how dare they?  We saw pictures of a hike, and huddling around a fire behind Jeff and Melodie's house.  We'd show you the pictures but, as a change, I thought I'd include some photos of our furry friends, who are helping us stay sane through the pandemic.  Funny personalities.

Joe and Leonor also hit the road this week, as Thomas was out of "school."  To the beach at Florianopolis. When Leonor sent the weather forecast for the week (rain every day), we were hoping it just meant a short, tropical rainstorm each day, surrounded by sunny skies and plenty of beach time.  Nope. And rain turned to airline problems and food poisoning, and I'm sure there were a few other things to make theirs a memorable vacation, not in the way they would want. 

Speaking of inauguration, we were pretty moved at various points in the ceremony.  I suspect we weren't alone.  I'm sure everyone has their favorite moment, but mine was Lady Gaga, her entrance, her outfit and her rendition.  Nice to feel normal again.  

So, we're working our way through a few books.  Mary is hooked on the Wolf Hall series, and has joined a book club.  I have my stack on the bedside table, waiting for the New York Times Book Review section to ask me what I'm reading.  Since they're not, you get to be the first to know - a Pelacanos crime novel, a book on slavery, The Half that Has Never Been Told, and The Discovery of France. 

And, we're also working our way through streaming shows, like Line of Duty, Poldark, Godless, and Mary rewatched Wolf Hall.  And, when Joe was here for Christmas, we broke down and added a subscription to get football games, so we binged on playoff games last weekend.  Dare I mention Tom Brady, for the second letter in a row?  (Too late, he's practically family anyway.)

And on that happy note, wishing you all the best and safe and healthy days ahead.  Love from up here.