Honestly … I have a warm roof over my head, work I love, pets that are a joy, a full pantry and freezer. I am so very thankful.

In the last weeks (maybe months): tornadoes, fires, volcano (I am so heartbroken for Tonga!), winter storms in the east … one ongoing this weekend… and Europe, particularly Greece where blog friend Margaret lives. Holy Cow!

Every time that I think of being a bit whiny about anything, I think of Tonga particularly. Three years ago … and I cannot remember exactly how I got started, but I was watching “Gone with the Wynns” (https://www.youtube.com/c/gonewiththewynns). It was the start of my renewed interest in sailing and particularly ocean sailing … not that I want to do it myself, but as a spectator and drawing on my own sailing experience as well as my technical knowledge, it was fascinating to see the evolution of sailing and technology.

Then, 2 years ago, the Wynns ended up in Tonga … stranded in the COVID19 lockdown/closed border situation. They used their time in Tonga to learn about the people. They leveraged their YouTube exposure to raise money for animal rescue and clean water for Tongans. During that time of watching and participating, I myself became involved and interested and learned about a place that I might not have except for the Wynns and COVID19.

So, I felt somewhat personally devastated with the news of the volcano and the impact on the Tonga Islands and the lovely people there.

Not to diminish the losses in the U.S., but here we have so many advantages: insurance, FEMA, so darn much money and resources, advance knowledge (storms) … not quite the same as a cataclysmic volcanic eruption on the remote islands of Tonga or the impact in countries like Greece with not the same infrastructure support.

At any rate, it has made anything that might be considered a problem in my own life … insignificant!

So … walking … yes, it is not ideal, but thanks to a few flurries, it is MUCH better and Emmett and I continue to take advantage of good conditions on the state land. I am beyond grateful that we can take walks of 1/4- 1.25 miles right from the house … boots or snowshoes for me and good conditions for Emmett.

We had another power cut … astonishing! Again in the morning …

So, I bought a portable butane camp stove … thus guaranteeing that we will not have another morning outage!

Yes, I can cook on the woodstove, but since I don’t keep the woodstove going constantly, to get it going from cold and get it going enough to do things like make coffee … hours! Hence, the above.

Meanwhile, cozy mornings with dear Emmett and Oscar …

And lovely walks in the woods.

If you follow my Instagram, this is a repeat …

I typically have the ability to shut out background noise when working … but “hear” abnormal quiet or activity … the TP adventure got away from me.