I need it!!!
I haven't been blogging for a while. Nor much of anything. A bit of winter depression has set in over the last week, and being outdoors seeing all the winter kill of our 'tropical' plants just sets me in a foul mood! And I have been trying to avoid the Chinese Spy Balloon news...wondering if this was really legit...so many questions arose while reading news online from several sources. Why on earth, if it was a spy balloon, did it take so long for the USA to shoot it down?!! Another thougt came across my mind was that China owns a lot of land in Montana...did they actually launch it from THERE or was it really a weather balloon. Waiting forever to blow it out of the sky while all along China is collecting info through the onboard computer?!!? I just can't get myself to trust our OWN government any more.
I've actually taken my word of not doing any interior painting for the past week or so. I am still recouping from back pain and kinks in my neck. LOL That's my excuse and I'm sticking by it!
This past week, little, disruptive of a day, tasks were in order:
I have gone, and did a small limited time of, walking. It finally warmed up on Sunday, near 80 degrees [F] as it should be here...but another wintry cold snap is predicted. Went around the flower beds and even in the lawn and pulled thistle Sunday enjoying the sunshine. Tried to watch the Pro Bowl Flag Football...what a waste of time money and effort televising THAT!
Went to the bookstore and picked up my ordered book [cheaper going through the bookstore than ordering from amazon!] This book I've been searching the shelves at the store for some time now, and not finding it...finally ordered it....the book? Well, a memoir of a Holocaust survivor and her CAT!!! I've only read about 6 chapters, but it will, I think, become a page turner. What can go wrong with an added guardian angel feline?!!!
- The incredible true story of a young girl who navigated dangerous forests, outwitted Nazi soldiers, and survived against all odds with the companionship of a stray cat.
Growing up in the Polish village of Tarnogrod on the fringes of a deep pine forest, Mala Szorer had the happiest childhood she could have hoped for. But at the age of twelve, as the German invasion begins...
read more of the synopsis HERE
PS...at the park, looking for birds, I spied the very first Texas Bluebonnet for the season!!!
Be like a flower waiting to bloom despite winds and storms.
~Anne Nolette Andre
I found the spy balloon news rather amusing. Something odd to read about once in a while. Winter blue is real. I am trying to get exercises happening no matter what. Life is hard.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, I don't trust our government much either. I also don't trust the news any more. It's too hard to tell what's real and what's not.
ReplyDeleteyour valentine decor is really pretty, love that mouse.. i am tired just reading about all you have been doing while not blogging. yikes on the pains left over from the remodel job, I could not do that, i would not be able to move at all, and you did it for weeks, not just days. China is rattling the war swords, i think they did the right thing shooting it down.
ReplyDeleteHello Anni,
ReplyDeleteYou are keeping busy. The book sounds interesting. I love the bluebonnets, very pretty.
We are having some milder days ahead, YAY. Take care, have a wonderful day!
" I just can't get myself to trust our OWN government any more."
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, Anni, I have NEVER trusted our government. Or ANY government for that matter. I haven't watched any news whatsoever in over a year because I don't trust the media either; therefore, I don't know anything about the Chinese Spy Balloon.
Your Valentine's decorations are adorable! And hey, being a cat lover, that book sounds fascinating!
That final photograph of the Texas Bluebonnet is just gorgeous!
Happy Pre-Birthday, my friend!
Oh dear me maybe spring will put a spring in your step Anni.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on a trail in several months just walking in the 'hood.
Pictures have been scarce but at least I'm finding some.
Loving your red theme 2/14 is our 53rd anniversary
Happy early Birthday
Hugs cecilia
I think a lot of people are beset with depression this time of year. I have to work to NOT fall into winter doldrums. It is crazy what happened with the balloon and, the sad truth is, we will probably never know the real story/results of what was found after it was downed. Love that you have a sign of spring/summer. We are still growing icicles and snowbanks here...ugh...xo Diana
ReplyDeleteWell you haven't been doing nothing! I love the red Valentine images and you for brightening my morning. Sure wish I could see a real bluebonnet! You grabbed my attention when you mentioned online jigsaw puzzles. I have never seen or tried that! Rest up and you will be out walking and enjoying the warm fresh air again soon.
ReplyDeleteI think the site I use is called jigsaw scapes(?)
DeleteI hear you on not trusting the government. There is absolutely no good reason for a balloon from China to be in our airspace! They should have shot it down the minute it entered! If it was one of our balloons floating over China, it would have been shot down 3 seconds after it entered their airspace! Anyway, love your Valentine decorations! I put up one heart plaque and that's about it! Seems like you've been busy enough and this winter season will pass soon enough!
ReplyDeleteI agree about the balloon. And thanks
DeleteLove your beautiful Valentine decorations! How I wish we could grow your Texas Bluebonnets here! Love love love them♥
ReplyDeleteI hear that they are even difficult to grow in TEXAS!
DeleteHi Anni! I agree on the Chinese balloon. Very strange.
ReplyDeleteIt's finally warming up a little here. I'm ready for Spring too. Hooray for the bluebonnet!
PS - you asked about the sun in my eyes while driving to work. Yes, there is a time period in Spring and Fall when it can be very difficult.
That would be torture driving into the blinding sunlight!!
DeleteApparently the balloon was carrying a lot of equipment which could have hurt anything it fell on. If we were jamming its communication as claimed it wouldn’t have been sending any information. Who knows? Not the biggest problem in the world but a lot more interesting than most. Take care! Cheerful Monk
ReplyDeleteEquipment...at least that is what we were told?!??
DeleteYour Valentine decorations are a lovely bit of colour in an otherwise rather blah time of the year. Hopefully we'll all feel more motivated when Spring comes. One can hope. GM
ReplyDeleteSpring!!! Yes!!!
DeleteI don't know (or care much) about that Chinese balloon. I do trust our government... not completely, but for the most part - they try, they just don't always get it right. Now the news these days, that's a different story: have to rely on my own common sense there.
ReplyDeleteAs for books, I just started "Passage to Inis Mor by Brian O'Raleigh and am really liking it.
You are one in a few I know that has faith in our government!
DeleteThe book sounds amazing! How on earth did you find out about it? Wow, a Bluebonnet! I lve them so much. Isn't it awfully early for it to bloom? I love your decorations, especially the adorable little mouse. I sure hope you start feeling better, both mentally and physically, as spring nears! Remember, there is the spring bird migratin coming up!
ReplyDeleteThe last year we haven't had too much bird migration. Hope it's different this Spring. I read about the book online long ago...before it was published
DeleteThe book sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteYou may not have been blogging but sounds like you've been busy.
Hope your warm weather stays around.
I "live" for warmer weather. 🙂
DeleteThat German spy balloon gave me a good chuckle--although the news of the Chinese one did not. My thoughts on that resemble yours.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds interesting. Am going to see if they have a copy at the library.
Hope you enjoy the book.
DeleteSorry you're struggling with winter blues...I'm sure you know I can relate although mine linger even longer than our interminable winters these days it seems...and I don't accomplish a fraction of what you manage. Sorry about the loss of your plants. I can relate to that too but it is something I come to expect here in Nod - there are always a certain amount of perennials that we lose each year - but the ones that hurt the most I think were when I lost a third of my hibiscus and then could not find the same kind to replace with. And you had to show us that book LOL. I keep trying to ween myself away from WWII historical fiction and then I stumble on another gotta-read. Well, first I had to read your recommendation of The Elephant of Belfast (loved it)...and then I found another set in Italy and now this is going on the list. Thanks for the recommendation! Love the blue bonnet. How I long for a pot of color like that in our whiteness. ~Robin~ (TheCrankyCrow)
ReplyDelete...and after last year's freeze...our replanted hibiscus froze again!!
DeleteWhat with seeing your first bluebonnet and getting that book and seeing the pretty touches for Valentine's Day - I am thinking you won't be in a slump for long! All that painting just wore you out!
ReplyDeleteIt did wear me down some for sure.
DeleteWe all have those slumps, whether it's weather related or just what Life throws at you.
ReplyDeleteBeing outside really helps me, and of course being with my 2 sons this last week was the crowning touch and boost both Dave and I needed.
On a future blog post I will fill in what we have been up to. Getting one's affairs in order is a huge job and can set the emotions on a roller coaster at times...it's all good and we are more than grateful for family.
Love your photos and I especially love those mice.
Sue
Your will...updating?
DeleteLove your Valentine decor, Anni.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Bluebonnet you captured.
Hugs and blessings.
Thanks!!
DeleteThanks Cathy. Hope you enjoy the book.
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud at your spy balloon picture. Thanks for that chuckle. Thank you also for telling us about that amazing book. Sounds a powerful read. I am sorry about your tropical plants. Maybe all that hard work wore you out and sounds like you have been busy with other things too, but the winter weather keeping us all inside is probably causing cabin fever, maybe. Hope you feel better soon. That is a beautiful blue bonnet. It lifted me just looking at it, so thank you. Your pretty Valentine decorations also. Hope the sun is shining for you in the days ahead Anni, in more ways than one xx
ReplyDelete