There was a big storm predicted starting late Saturday night, but first I had things to do. Saturday morning I had signed up for a guided hike of Dresser Island through the Missouri Department of Conservation. Louie had to work, and I figured if I was going to say things like, I enjoy hiking, I needed to do it on my own sometimes too! So, I packed a lunch, bundled up, and headed out to meet the group. It was COLD!

But it was a lot of fun. The hike was about 6 miles, but we made a lot of stops to look at various wildlife and things, and I enjoyed chatting, just walking, and taking pictures.

I would definitely do another event through the MO Department of Conservation: it was well run and FREE!

After that I had my last Christmas gig: an Epiphany concert at a church in Illinois where I play fairly regularly. It was a lot of fun, and it was just starting to sleet as I arrived home.

Sunday morning the snow was coming down fast and furious. Louie still needed to go to work though, so he headed out and I stayed inside all day, enjoying the “snow day” even though I was technically already on vacation again.

Monday morning the snow was done, but there was plenty of digging out to be done around the region. I got out for some shoveling myself.

The neighborhood was a winter wonderland! When I was out shoveling so were many of my neighbors. Some were better at it than I was…in any case I made a good dent and then Louie continued my work when he got home later.

Our outdoor wreaths got a dusting on snow on them, isn’t it pretty?

The cats were waiting by the door while Louie was outside shoveling. They spend most of their time on the radiators this time of year: I don’t blame them!

Some animal tracks in the snow–I’m guessing a bunny?

In any case, I was lucky in that I didn’t have anywhere to go until Tuesday night. I had a rehearsal Tuesday evening and it was almost fun to drive there: some parts were a little scary as the roads were still quite bad (really, only one lane on Skinker each way after 36 hours?) but other parts were fun: such as unplowed side streets when no one is around and you can really feel the Subaru’s all wheel drive! I know I would have been a bit more stuck driving the Corolla or my old Focus, or my old Jetta. In fact, I don’t know how I managed for so many years in Cleveland with a sedan, but then again, they used to clear the roads with a lot more competence than here. But I digress, as always!

I’ve read a few books already, gotten a fair amount of exercise, and mostly put away the Christmas decoration. It’s been a good year so far!

There was a blurb in the NY Times newsletter about how talking about how terrible January is can help us deal with it. I will say, yes, it’s terrible, it’s cold, it’s really cold, it’s dark, the holiday season is behind us and it’s horribly busy!

It wasn’t always this way. Well, it was always cold. But the busy! It’s been a very musically satisfying January, with all my concerts (including reading some late Beethoven and then performing it right away, what a thrill!). And our radiators are working great keeping the house warm enough (just a few drafty windows.) I was smart last year and finally bought a really warm and long coat so that’s been wonderful. And the car I usually drive places has seat heaters. There are many things to be thankful for!

I had my first colonoscopy on Tuesday: it went just fine. The prep wasn’t fun, but it wasn’t awful either, and then I spent Tuesday just lying around relaxing. Much like Miles in the above picture, except I don’t like to lie ON radiators but instead on soft things covered by blankets. I also took advantage of being home all day to make a loaf of whole wheat bread.

I made this loaf as part of Sally’s Baking Addiction Baking Challenge. My Mom bakes (or at least, used to bake, do you still bake bread, Mom?) whole wheat bread six loaves at a time and this was a big part of our childhood. I never really got into it at home, so it was fun to make my own loaf. She has this giant bread mixer machine thing–it’s not actually a machine but is hand cranked. Similar to this I think (or maybe that’s what it is). In any case this bread has been great for hearty sandwiches, which I had to pack for my dinner the past two nights anyway.

Today is a more relaxing day: the week was busy, but really it was just three days since I had my prep and procedure the first two days. But it packed in a lot, and I am tired! I have some lessons to teach and laundry to do, but otherwise we plan to go out to dinner and who knows. I had wanted to go for a hike today, but the weather is currently in the single digits, so I think I won’t get a January hike in.

How is your January going? Are you staying warm? (or do I have readers on the other side of the world, where perhaps it is hot?)

It is a beautiful sunny day. I hope that’s a sign.

 

I’ve been busy. Teaching, grading, practicing (especially improv stuff), working on creating and recording music for a play, judging students for an online MTNA competition. It’s been a lot of fun and a lot of learning and challenging myself, but it’s been a lot. I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving week: I’m taking the week off from private teaching and looking forward to doing some canning, baking, cleaning and decorating the house, and hopefully some getting outside too, weather permitting. This weekend looks lovely as well.

Let’s hope there is some good news in the election results. Our COVID numbers are terrible here. My zip code is particularly bad, which means that we give a wide berth on walks. I am still working from home with the occasional thing out, a few errands, visiting with friends here and there but only outdoors (that couldn’t happen for a while with a lot of rain and cold weather, but this weekend looks lovely), and takeout or cooking. We have tried to limit takeout to once a month, but got it twice on Louie’s birthday week and tonight might be tempting!

We had a nice hike at Forest 44 Conservation Area last weekend. We chose it because it is never crowded. Someday we can go places that might be crowded, and someday we can go farther away, but not now.

 

I had to go on the campus of St Louis University last weekend to work on the play I mentioned, and it was so beautiful! Fall is such a gorgeous season, isn’t it?

How are you all doing today?