Didn’t notice the sky today. It was cold and cloudy gray each time I took Penelope out for her walks. Did notice the turkey buzzards are back. Six of them were circling up high on the wind currents and casting their shadows on my yard. Their shadows made me think of silent wind chimes. The wind was boisterous all afternoon. The bamboos were pushed around and slapped together. The bamboo would have been great with the crash cymbals in the yard symphony. The wind chimes belted out their symphonies. They were so loud I had to turn up the tv.

I think Mother Nature might have turned her month clock back a month instead of turning her time clock forward an hour. Can’t believe we are having nights in the 20s the next few days. And a freeze warning! Crazy. The pansies are standing up, loving the cold weather. I covered my rose bush with a baby blanket. Guess Bertha, my furnace, will gulp some gas the next few nights. Be glad when those bills are gone.

Only saw two goldfinches, with their cardinal and woodpecker friends, on the feeders today. I filled up the feeders yesterday and that flock of goldfinches almost cleaned out the feeders. My fat little chipmunk was sneaking around under the bird feeders this afternoon. None of the birds will share the feeders with him except the doves. They feed with him on the ground under the feeders.

There is this big bamboo in the back yard and when the weather is wet and cloudy it leans over. The branches jumble together and it resembles a head with two massive arms. Been looking at this bamboo for several days trying to think what it looked like and today I realized it looks just like the abominable snow monster, Bumble, from the movie Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. I’ll point that out to my grandchildren on their next visit.

Been trying to work up to walking two miles or more a day so I’ll be able to escape Shady Oaks, if I don’t like living there. Smile! Used to walk two miles a day. Kinda gave that up after I had Covid. Covid really changed my life in so many ways. I walked on the sidewalks here and in the road. Only made it three-fourths of a mile on the cement before my gimpy knee wore out and I limped home. I’ve got to get my walk on to keep up with the grandchildren in Blue Ridge. Don’t want to be left sitting on a rotten log during a mountain hike! Stew suggested I walk in the house. Kinda boring but it works and my knee doesn’t give out. Walked every day this week. Made it a mile three days straight. Penelope followed me today, working on getting rid of her love handles. I’ll walk a mile a few more days then I’ll be up to two miles before I know it.

I found a letter in the mailbox today and yesterday! Nothing makes me happier. Those sweet notes warmed my heart and made me cry and smile all at the same time. For the past 21 years Boss Lady has sent me a heartfelt note on the anniversary of Rosie’s death. That thoughtfulness is a true testament to friendship. The other note was from another dear friend and her words were thoughtful and full of warmth. I’ve written before on how meaningful hand written letters are. I have these notes here beside me and have read them several times today. These letters will go in my keepsake box for safe keeping. Thank you, friends!

The world would be a harsh place without friendship. Friends give us emotional support and help us weather the turbulence in our lives. When our friends are happy so are we. Social connections relieve stress and the laughs we get from our friends are beneficial to our health. Laughter really is the best medicine. Friends love us and accept us as we are. They listen when we pour out our feelings. The support Chief and I received from our friends when Rosalyn died helped us through the nightmare of her death.

“A friend who understands your tears is much more valuable than a lot of friends who only know your smile.” —Anonymous