Well, January ended up as the fourth-warmest in Portland history. And as February gets underway, we have seen two more cat trackers (Feb. 1 of three inches and Feb. 7, which is this writing and we’ve already seen four inches and still snowing). On Groundhog Day, supposedly the groundhog saw his shadow and we are in for six more weeks of winter, and there are a number of storm systems in the forecast. Winter?! Anyway, it’s the most snow we’ve seen all season.
Nic News Notes: Jan. 31 — Mom calls late in the day to say that Monica, accompanied by Lynn Dodge, is back at the cancer treatment center in Pennsylvania. They are due back today; hopefully, the storm won’t cause any problems. I’ll be on the way to visit her ASAP, but Pennsylvania was a bit far for me.
I want to say “thank you” to everyone I’ve seen who asks after my sister and wants her to know that they are thinking of her. It affects so many and in so many different forms – it’s scary and it’s tough for the one with the affliction, just as it is for those who love that person. To all, a big group hug! For I hear that a 20-second, arms-around-each-other, I-support-you kind of hug releases something in the brain that reduces anxiety. And like my new favorite TV commercial for Huggies diapers says, “We all need a hug in the morning, and one at the end of the day, and as many as possible squeezed in between to keep life’s troubles at bay.”
Thursday, Feb. 2: I went to put some letters in the mailbox and found it lying on the ground and so a new one was purchased, as the old one was becoming quite rusty. Also on Feb. 2, I finished Little Lou’s afghan and it will be in the mail and on its way to her this week. And I’ve already started another.
Monday, Feb. 6: Ross called; one of the goats gave birth to a healthy baby girl. I paid a visit in the afternoon to see my first “grandkid” (baby goat) and let me tell you, she’s a cutie. Meaghan said it was a fast and easy birth and the mother is a natural. The baby goat had a jacket to wear after it was dry, for additional warmth against the cold.
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! High Hopes Farm called in at 11:40 a.m. with a goat report of twins – a boy and a girl! And just like that, I’m up to three “grandkids.” LOL! All is well!
They are also waiting on another any minute now. So the excitement on the farm just keeps going. For not only are they having little ones being born, but they are working hard on the house, going room by room to make it their own. The dining room was the first to be refinished and it turned out beautiful. They are currently working on the downstairs bathroom. More power to them, as soon it will be time to get growing!
Sunday, Jan. 5 was Super Bowl LI. The New England Patriots versus the Atlanta Falcons played in Texas. A game for the history books! It was the largest comeback deficit (28-3) in Super Bowl history and it went into overtime! The Patriots came away with a 34-28 win.
I had long since gone to bed, not so much that I gave up on the game, although it did look kind of hopeless at halftime, but that it was past my bedtime. Plus the commercials were nothing to write home about this year. And I got up in the morning and got to see all the highlights anyway. I saw a lot of happy but sleepy people on Monday.
So, congratulations to the New England Patriots for bringing home the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the fifth time. A 22-duck-boat parade was held in Boston for the Super Bowl champs on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 11 a.m.
Birthdays: Belated “happy birthday” wishes go out to Michael and to Gail Hanna on Feb. 1, to Fred Naylor on Feb. 5, and to my mother, Charlotte Simmons, and Matt Callahan on Feb. 8.
This week’s “happy birthday” wishes go out to Ashley Orne and Heather Murray on Feb. 10, and to my son, Ross, on Feb. 12. Hope they are/were happy ones!
Special plans with your special someone? Valentine’s Day is next Tuesday.
Have a good one!
