The Mountain Thymes

 When Mark was here at Christmas he suggested I try to blog from my iPad.  This way I should be able to go right to my photos. So…..here goes. Started this puzzle on New Year’s Day. Finished it today. After all that concentration and searching for the right fit, shape, and colors I let it set on the counter for a couple of hours then broke it apart and scooped 750 shapes into a gallon zip lock bag.  The Tibetan Buddhist ritual of creating a sand mandala came to mind when I began destroying my hours of creativity.  Using a sand filled  tool called a Chakpur the monks gently tap it dropping grains of sand creating an intricate design on a wooden board.  They then destroy it symbolizing the impermanent nature of life.  Now my creation is destroyed, bagged and returned to the box for someone else to enjoy.   I loved this puzzle.. it was peaceful and fun and kept my brain busy on the rainy cold gloomy days. The next one has 1000 pieces. It’ll be a real challenge. Cliff and I always did 750

 What a difference a day makes.  It was 23 at 8 a.m.  With a cloudless sky and full beaming sun it's a beautiful day.  Yesterday the house felt cold all day even with the heat running constantly.  At 1 p.m. it's 50 degrees and with the coming in the windows no heat is needed.  I ran into town this morning for mustard greens then stopped at Tractor Supply for birdseed.  When I pulled in the driveway suddenly a feeling swept over me that I should check the propane tank gauge.  We're on an auto-delivery but this was a strong feeling.  I think it was Cliff telling me to check it right then.  He checked more often if the generator ran or if were in an extremely cold spell for days or weeks.  Boy, was I surprised to see the needle in the red on empty!  When I called Freeman they dispatched a driver and within an hour the truck arrived.  The driver told me the day my generator ran for hours burned lots of fuel. That was the time the 200amp switch somehow caused the generator to ki

 Today is the first day the weather has a true winter feeling.  Mid-afternoon our high was 40 degrees with a heavy overcast sky.  Some snow is possible for higher elevations.  I doubt we'll see anything more than flurries or a passing snow shower.  I made a hearty winter soup full of vegetables, mushrooms, sweet potatoes in Fire and Kettle Beef Bone broth.  The Fire and Kettle bone broths are rich and hearty.  Great for winter soups.   My floor needs vacuuming and a stack of papers  need to be shredded but I had no interest in either today.  A better idea was to settle in my recliner with a hot cup of  cocoa and go through iPhone photos eliminating duplicates and unnecessary pictures.  This one brought a smile to me face. June 27, 2016 in Myrtle Beach with Lauria, Jim and grandchildren.  I went down a water slide with Grant.  It was so much fun to play! and forget that I was an adult.  Cliff and me with Kathy and Mark.  Time certainly flies.  Mark turns 80 on February 7 this year.