February Catch-Up

 

The No-Birthday Month

Every February I write an introspective post to commemorate my birthday. But this month my birthday came and went without a blip. I was recovering from Vascular surgery (left leg), and not only was Joe out of town but even MY PARENTS were out of town. So, I spent a quiet birthday, holed up inside the house during what was a blustery week. My birthday meal included Chicken Salad Chick and a box of Milk Duds for dessert (do not judge). But it was a good birthday with some alone time to think, read, and watch the last season of Peaky Blinders.

Yikes, though. Those Peaky Blinders.

Babysitting

I also spent my birthday babysitting the work crew replacing our backyard fence (which was destroyed due to the hurricane). What was supposed to take 2-3 days instead took TWO WEEKS. The crew would come, work two hours, then leave for lunch and not come back until the next day. One day Joe had the idea of providing them with lunch, thus encouraging them to stay and (maybe) work longer. So, he treated them to Chick-fil-A—food, drinks, super-sized fries—the works. The crew thanked him, ate their lunch, and thirty minutes later disappeared until the next day. Joe was hopping mad.

New fence? Check. What's next: sod and general landscaping

 

Book Recommendation

This week our Book Club discussed Allen Levi’s book, Theo of Golden.

Stop what you are doing right now. Go. Read the book. One of the best I have read in a long time. It will restore your hope in humanity. Everyone has a Theo inside of them.

 

Something new

Thanks to a daughter-in-law who introduced me to the game, and to a class I took with some friends, I am learning to play Mahjong. Makes you think, does Mahjong.

I am also taking German lessons via the Duo language app. Hallo. Ich heiße Maria. Ich Komme aus Augusta, eine stadt in Georgia.  

The Reason for the German Lessons

The 2025 Girls’ Trip to Italy and Alpine Europe! Twenty-six women have signed on for this grand adventure. A few highlights: a Mozart concert and dinner, a train ride on the Bernina express, a cruise on Lake Como, and a visit to a Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles. There are a few spots left. Want to come along? 

(Photo: Lake Como, Italy. On Day 7 we will be cruising along its beautiful shores.)