Time to catch up, again.
It seems the last quarter of 2020 was both hectic and oddly calm, in alternating and randomly triggered rotations.
Regardless of the flow of the day, though, waking to mornings like this one are always welcome.
Despite a kind of slow start to winter, it did finally arrive. Small dustings earlier, gave way to this…
The transformation from the varied shades of tan and brown, to the glowing blue-white of a blanket of snow, is always a captivating moment … Until the reality of a shovel handle or the whirr of the snow thrower edge into that moment.
I have daydreams of a wheeled contraption with a metal crossbar a few inches above the pavement, a trailing propane tank, and nozzles under the bar that shift from side to side in time with the rolling of the tires, to wash the area with the flames that emit from the nozzles…
Of course, the opportunities the snow actually brings extend well beyond home. Our girls continue to enjoy skiing, whenever possible.
I’ve even managed to settle into a form of “working remotely” where I can maintain full connection and productivity from the cab of my truck, while they hit the slopes! I might need to make the next step, though, and find a laptop mount that grips to the center console, so I can stop having to balance it half on my backpack and half on a travel cup.
Does it work? Sure.
Is it as comfortable as it could be? Not even close. No real room for a keypad or trackball, either.
Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike laptop keypads?
Still, beyond wanting to do this so the girls get the exercise, freedom, and time to grow their relationship … I also know I’m truly blessed to have this view, while working remotely.
Of course, the drive to and from offers exceptional views, too. Some of them are just breathtaking, with no need to describe why.
Others, for that daydream of future fly fishing…
This brings us to the current day…
Last night, with roughly three and a half hours of fireworks (and gunshots?), was rough for this guy, but we still woke at a reasonable hour.
Consequently, I got very little sleep.
Today kicked off with a fire in the wood stove, two mugs of coffee, and an omelette.
Today I went with cubed chorizo and soppresata, pan fried until just crispy, mushrooms browned in their rendered fats, and spinach wilted over all of that. Finished with an exceptional aged cheddar, as a capper.
Yeah … I like 2021, so far.
To all of you, my favorite toast, as a lingering echo of last night: May the best of your past be the worst of your future.
Take care. Be safe. Make 2021 what you want it to be.
Tight lines…