What’s on the iPod: Into the Mystic by Van Morrison
We woke up yesterday morning to about 6 inches of snow, more or less. Unlike the city to our east, we were spared the remaining 12 inches. Not that it makes me happy to say that – I love snow from the first flake right down to the shoveling. Well, maybe not the shoveling. But the snow made a beautiful blanket for the yard.
Just as the storm started on Sunday, my daughter’s friends were sitting on the sofa when one said, “Hey, when did you get a dog?” Then he realized he was looking at a fox. I’ve seen many foxes here, but this gal was beautiful. Her coat was full and glossy and her tail was even fuller. She hung around for about ten minutes, so I was able to get a photo of her.
I suspect she was looking for food for her kits, which is why she was roaming around in the daylight. Food here is hard to come by as there are plenty of wild animals and not too many natural enemies to keep the numbers to a healthy level. There must be plenty of foxes around – our squirrel population has dwindled noticeably.
We spent last night at Temple University watching Cirque de Soleil. In a word – spectacular. This particular show received lukewarm reviews, but to us, it was magical. The entire show, start to finale, was just breathtaking. I loved the gymnastics especially, but the ribbon acrobatics defied not just gravity, but description.
Today I hope to get some work in. I’m feeling a little sore in the throat and extremely tired despite my nap yesterday and long sleep last night. I have an article due and a pile of articles to get ready for a client newsletter. Plus marketing. Always marketing.
How is your holiday week going?
15 responses to “Random Holiday Tidbits”
The week's okay. I'm meeting client deadlines, but not getting as much other work done as I'd like.
Take care of yourself, and what a lovely fox. They're such lovely creatures.
We had my sister's family here. She and her husband stayed with their son and since he cannot have pets, my Mom and I watched their adorable, white miniature schnauzer. It was so much fun.
Now I am back to work – such as it is. Yesterday I sent off a proposal, did some admin work and now am trying to catch up on blogging. I'm trying to get some written and scheduled for release so I am ready for January work. Hopefully I didn't jinx myself.
I do have a project starting in the first week of January that still needs the details ironed out.
I have seen several Cirque de Soleil shows and they never disappoint. How do they do that to their bodies? 🙂
Enjoy the rest of the holidays and thanks for sharing a great community, Lori.
Awesome picture. I once spotted a red fox while out for a walk with my dog. They're beautiful up close.
We were completely spared of the snow. They were calling for 4 to 6 inches. We got nothing but a lazy dusting.
Glad you're enjoying your holiday week. I'm working most of this week but hopefully taking most of Friday off.
Isn't she/he a beauty, Devon? That coat was just amazing. Too bad she was looking down the street and not toward the camera.
Thank you for being part of this great community, Cathy. Without you, it wouldn't be nearly as rich and rewarding. 🙂
I figured you'd miss out on the snow, Kathy. They kept telling us we'd see 14 inches. I could smell it coming the day before, but it didn't feel huge, you know? Well, you know. You're used to snowstorms and how the air and the energy changes right before it comes.
I'm back from a whirlwind of family, fun, and playing with my niece & nephew (ages 6 & 7). My sister was at my house from the 22nd to Christmas, and then I stayed at my brother & sister-in-law's house from Christmas until the 27th.
We had fine snow all day on Christmas Eve and got about 4" while my brother's house got nothing. His wife teased him, since he'd be talking about Christmas snowfall statistics, and he insisted they would have 2-4". He got his Christmas miracle when it started snowing in the afternoon, picked up in the evening, and by midnight they had at least 2 inches. (Thank you lake effect snow!) He defends his weather geekiness by saying he wants to be prepared, so he liked the weather radio I finally tracked down for him. (One store in town had the $29.99 model with the solar charger, but it was a floor model, so there was no instruction manual. And when I asked not "if" but "what" their discount would be, they gave a song & dance about the store policy of no discounts.)
Today I'm trying to remember what I need to do and dig out from under piles of things on my desk. I have paperwork to send in to two potential clients, and want to get some ideas out. I have one quick article to work on and picked up a short assignment due next month. (My dog may finally respect me: it's about cheese.)
Paula, I'm glad you got him that radio. Frankly, I'd be over the moon for it, too. I've a bit of weather geek in me, too, as you well know.
I managed an invoice – FINALLY. I was thinking December was going to be worse than November, but thankfully I was able to get one invoice that made things less grim (not much less).
I'm glad your dog respects you. I do, too. And you don't need to feed me cheese for it (though chocolate is always welcome – LOL). 🙂
Last year we missed out on most of the snow too. It kept hugging the coast and missing me, which is very unusual. I guess I'm just far enough west to miss the coastal storms and far enough south to miss the lake effect snow. Syracuse got hammered already … before Christmas. On the upside, it means my pond is still clear enough for more ice skating. On the downside, it's going to get up to near 50 this weekend. ;o(
omg… snow! a fox… how cool. I get critters, but mostly opossums and coyotes plus bunches of birds and I consider 40 degrees F cold – making me a weather wuss I know.
Am scrambling to fix everything that went wrong with my site when something went wrong… yeah I know, not a clear sentence… but neither is/was the problem.
hugs
Cool fox! I'm not much of a fan of snow, but my husband was mad that everyone seemed to get snow except us. That's fine with me 🙂
I landed a new editing gig right before the holidays, so I'm working on that this week and finishing an article due next week. I also have a lot of reading to do because I'm going to be teaching a class in the spring! Both excited and nervous, but mostly just focusing on getting prepared.
Received some very sad news today – the pathology report for my hedgehog Pete confirmed he has a malignant tumor. So I'm going to be spoiling him rotten this week. The lump is growing rapidly, so I'm afraid he won't be with me much longer.
Kinda wishing I'd taken the week off, but I didn't, and deadlines beckon. I'm knocking out three articles this week, two of which are finished and turned in. I'm writing the third tomorrow, then I AM taking a few days' break. Deserved, I might add.
Happy New Year!
Suh-WEET! I love nature. I had a raccoon growing up. She was incredible. That is a pretty fox you have there, Lori.
This week has been a bit of a nightmare, but at the same time, it makes me extremely glad to work from home. You see, we found out about a month ago that Jess is pregnant with baby #4 🙂 WOOHOO (but listen, don't tell anyone as we have not even told my mother yet).
So, we have been dealing with sick mama the last couple days, which is no bueno. Other than that, I am way behind on my writing and I really need to sit down and iron out a schedule for January. At least a list of ideas for blog posts and some marketing ideas.
My muse also beat me up side the head with an idea for a novel and hasn't let go of me since. So there is some apparent writing that needs to happen soon so I can get back to focusing on my work.
Yea. Quite exhausting. But at the same time, I'm just glad I am here for Jess instead of working from 7-5 at a JOB.
Well, let's see. We had a tiny bit of snow on Christmas morning. Had extended family get together on Christmas Eve, with way too much food. And more family – briefly – on Christmas Day (and we just found out that some of them are sick today; am hoping & praying that they didn't leave any of it here).
I started part-time on a new project recently & will ramp up to full-time after the start of the year. It's steady work and NONE of it is on site. Woohoo! It's just what I needed: steady income for a certain time. I'm such a planner that it's a relief not to have to worry about things – I know the minimum I have coming in.
I'll still have a little time for smaller projects and it allows me to get rid of one or two that have become either pains or not worth the money.
And having family around has been a huge help as we all adjust to my new schedule.
Still here for another week and then it's time to head home. I'll miss mom & dad, yet I can't wait to sleep in my own comfy bed again.
Ashley, I'm so sorry your hedgehog is so ill. 🙁 My hugs and prayers to you. Pets are the unexpected joys in our lives.
Anne, tough week for you! Can I help?
Sounds like it's deserved, Stacey! Tough to have so many deadlines around the holiday, but great to have the invoices in December, isn't it?
Wow! We trumped Mom! Sal, congratulations to you and Jess! And I won't tell your mom. 🙂
Becky, how's the little one's first holiday going?
First holiday is going well, Lori. He's such a little sweetheart. Loves to be held, only cries when he needs something. And his big brother just adores him (as do granny & grampa). It's been such a nice time. Not looking forward to the long drive home, though.
What a sweetheart! Can't wait to see the holiday pics. 🙂