Out with the Old, in with the New

2021 is over and done. Finally.

It wasn't the worst year I've ever had, but it sure wasn't good, either.

I'm at the same job, doing the same thing day in and day out. I long for better, but am grateful to have what I've got.

My health is good. Not great, but better than just okay. Most days, I can get up and get going. And on the days I can't? I take it easy and am good to myself.

My friends remain safe and healthy for the most part as well.

My mother continues to reside in the nursing home and is likely to spend the rest of her days there. No, I haven't been able to see her yet--COVID protocols and such--and talking to her on the phone is a serious pain: It takes five minutes to get her on the phone--the nurses have to hook up a phone at her bed--and then she hangs up after talking for a minute, tops. (No. Seriously. She's done this multiple times to both me and my brother.)

I hooked up a Blu-ray player to Mom's living room TV, so at least I have some entertainment other than over-the-air broadcast networks. I've been slowly rebuilding my movie collection and look forward to adding more DVDs and Blu-ray discs in 2022.

And I'll have new glasses in 2022, replacing the ones I, um, misplaced a few weeks ago.

Goodbye, 2021. Don't let the New Year's baby hit you in the ass on the way out.

Hello, 2022. A pleasure to meet you.

SNOWMAGEDDON 2022

The National Weather Service is predicting that a snowstorm will be hitting the Chicago metropolitan area on the first day of the New Year, with approximately 4-8 inches coming down across the region and with higher totals possible closer to Lake Michigan.

Since I didn't have any plans for Saturday other than lying on the couch and watching Blu-rays, this is fine with me. However, I do worry about the tree out front of Mom's house. It bent forward badly during Snowmageddon 2021 and never really stood all the way back up. Will Snowmageddon 2022 finally be the last straw?

We'll see.

Holidaze 12/30/21

Angelique and I wish you a Happy New Year--happier than 2021, anyway.

Every Picture Tells a (Yummy) Story 12/29/21

Pierogis from Rich's Deli.

Amended Weather Forecast

Remember on Christmas Eve when I said we weren't likely to get any snow before the end of 2021?

To quote Gene Wilder from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: "Strike that. Reverse it. Thank you."

As I type these words, a moderate snowfall has started outside my workplace--large, heavy snowflakes currently melting as soon as they hit the warmer-than-usual December ground. If enough of them fall for long enough, though, we might get a coating to an inch.

Too late for a White Christmas, true, but welcome enough just the same.

Every Picture Tells a Story 12/28/21

Face mask by Josep Blas. Glasses by Mom.

Every Picture Tells a Story 12/27/21