I stumbled across the most comfortable outfit I own. It’s a pair of soft, roomy lounging pants with a long sleeved tunic top which is made of cloud like fabric. Even though it’s only 71 degrees in my great room, I’m comfy. No need to go out nor do anything today. Tomorrow I’ll be busy, but today I can just veg with my Sophie baby. I think I’ll just take it easy.

To be honest, I haven’t been feeling well. Something has caused me to have an “uncomfortable” digestive system. I am just not up to par. I’m wondering if it’s my coffee. I bought some Dunkin Donuts hazelnut coffee and I love it, but since I added it to my mornings, I’ve felt rotten. I think tomorrow I’ll skip the DD hazelnut and go with regular coffee.

Since Christmas, I haven’t gone out of the house. I don’t mind staying in and my dog loves it.

I’ve enjoyed countless mindless movies on Lifetime and Hallmark channels. I haven’t taken any naps (but might today). I’ve had lots to eat but nothing that takes much prep time. Today I’ll warm up some (previously made) taco meat and have either tacos or nachos. (Any left will go in the freezer.)

I keep reminding myself: “I thought 2020 would be the year I got everything I wanted. Now I feel 2020 has been the year I learned to appreciate everything I have.”:

I thought 2020 would be the year we got everything we wanted. Now I feel 2020 has been the year we learned to appreciate everything we have.

Yesterday, Christmas, I received a Hallmark card from my brother, Denny. Usually Christmas is the only time we exchange messages. I have been calling him every month or so, but not as often as I should.

The card read:

“A SISTER
is a lifelong blessing.
Your warm smile, your generous heart, and your kind spirit are such wonderful gifts.
You have blessed me with more than you know.
Merry Christmas”

And then at the bottom, Denny had written “Thinking of you so much anymore.
Love, Den”

if you know my brother, you realize how out of character the card and message were.

And then about noon, he phoned me. I can’t remember that he’s ever called me before. I was at a friend’s house so suggested that I call him back when I could talk more freely.

I did. Our conversation was long and revealed that Denny is afraid that his cancer is back. And as he said, “I have no one!”

I assured him that I’d be there for him no matter what. I’d fly in at a moment’s notice.

We talked a long while. I told I can help him financially if he needs that and I’m there for him.

I’m so glad we talked. I will definitely stay closer to him. He needs me.

John died in May 2018. Christmas 2018 I was sick with a very bad cold for a week or two before Christmas and didn’t feel like being with anyone. I cancelled all holiday plans with friends and stayed in bed all medicated up. I was really sick! It took until February to feel back to normal.

Last year (2019) daughter Kelly and son-in-law David came from California and we had a lovely time.

This year is my third without John and if I let myself be lonely, I sure could be. I’m definitely more alone this year than ever before. The isolation created by the pandemic has meant that single folks like me are often alone in their homes for days on end.

I’m not complaining.

This week I had a friend ask if I mind being alone. I realize I actually like being by myself. I enjoy having friends I can talk to, but I don’t mind being by myself. I find stuff to do: I watch TV, I read a lot, I work on my financial files, and I play online games. My life of isolation isn’t all that bad. I guess I’ve accepted that it’s unlikely that life will ever go back to the “old normal.” I miss the fun we had, but I’ve adjusted.

Yesterday I bought my 2020 Christmas dinner makings. No turkey!!!! I had too much over Thanksgiving and still don’t want to see turkey again for a while (probably about a year).

I bought a thick (over an inch) ham steak and a second similar steak was free. (They are vacuum packaged so should be good until mid-February.) I also bought some sweet potatoes (with skins) so I can bake them, some cranberry sauce (jello, pineapple, etc.) for my yummy cranberry salad, and a chocolate cream pie. I’ll make a few biscuits or get some rolls. I might even pick up some sides from the deli. It’ll be a good holiday dinner and easy.

Christmas isn’t something I look forward to this year. No one to share it with. I’ll probably call Kelly, Linda, and Evie. And I got a cute gift for Sophie that I hope she’ll enjoy.

I guess I’ve had enough wonderful Christmases in the past. A lot of folks don’t have the life I’ve enjoyed. So no complaints.

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason are two of my favorite musicians. They are famous for compositions like “Ashokan Farewell” and “Lovers Waltz.” Actually they have lots of other lovely tunes to their credit.

One of my new favorites is “The Love of My Life.” This lovely selection is performed by Jay on fiddle and Molly on piano. What rare talent!

Here’s one of my favorite CD albums. The most familiar of the tunes on this collection is #14, “Ashokan Farewell” but also “Lovers Waltz” (#12) is very popular.

If you click on the “The Quiet Room” words, you’ll see the whole album. You can listen to any of the selections.

“Ashokan Farewell” has been said to be the most beautiful modern composition. I know it can still bring tears to my eyes. So much music from two instruments (fiddle and guitar).

Yesterday I wrote out a couple of checks: KPW, an insurance plan I pay annually and it covers all appliances, A/C, furnace, and just about everything that could go wrong with my condo; and KP Sportsman’s Club dues. I could put stamps on them and mail them, but both of the payments need to go within KP and I need an excuse to get out. Therefore, I will deliver the two envelopes.

The temperature should get up to 75 which sounds super. Unfortunately showers are also on the forecast. The periods of 2:00 and 3:00 so I plan to head out during the time between the rain.

A little before 7pm I realized my cell phone was lost. I have an app on my phone which allows me to go on my computer and signal my phone to play its ringtone so I can search for the lost phone. It’ll play for a solid five minutes while you try to locate it. Unfortunately five minutes wasn’t enough, nor was ten, nor fifteen and on and on. I kept looking for it as it played the fun music. My concern was that the phone would run down if I didn’t find it and then it would be even harder to locate.

The sound seemed to come from my reclining sofa but I couldn’t find it! Sophie even tried to help me.

(I should explain that being deaf in one ear limits my ability to directionalize sound so it’s hard to know where sound is coming from. I could tell it was loudest by the sofa so that’s where I centered my search.

I finally moved everything around and got down with a powerful flashlight. By now about an hour had passed. I was plum tuckered out! But I found it! It was vertically wedged between the sections of the sofa. I couldn’t reach it by going down into the space. I had to open up the reclining part and crawl into the sofa from underneath.

It wasn’t damaged nor had it run out of battery power. But I was sure hot and tired! Not the way you want to spend an hour.

In the process of looking, I also located a lost comb and lots of dog hair.

All summer it was uncomfortably hot outside so I didn’t venture out much. Spring and fall lasted about two days. Now it’s winter and too dern cold to spend time outside. When it warms up so temps are in the mid-70’s I’m going to go out and recline on my lovely patio. No more hiding out inside.

I found a web site about the weather in Sun City Center. It says: “The cool season lasts for 2.6 months, from December 8 to February 25, with an average daily high temperature below 75°F. The coldest day of the year is January 18, with an average low of 52°F and high of 71°F.”

About the “hot season” it says: “The hot season lasts for 5.0 months, from May 7 to October 5, with an average daily high temperature above 86°F. The hottest day of the year is July 17, with an average high of 90°F and low of 76°F.”

Since those two seasons total 7.6 months, we can expect glorious weather for 4.4 months.

The heat is one thing, but another factor is humidity. According to this informative page, “The muggier period of the year lasts for 7.3 months, from April 9 to November 17, during which time the comfort level is muggy, oppressive, or miserable at least 35% of the time. The muggiest day of the year is July 30, with muggy conditions 100% of the time.”

Quoting the site, “The best times of year to visit Sun City Center for general outdoor tourist activities are from late February to early May and from mid October to early December, with a peak score in the second week of April.”

So using the above information, it would appear that I’ll need to wait until February before I can expect nice temperatures.

Web Site information — “ Weather information for Sun City Center”

It appears we’re being short-changed because it should be among the best time to visit here!

Heat’s on so I’m cozy but it’s dern chilly!!

Yesterday I used my golf cart to take my Christmas cards to the big outgoing box on Kings Boulevard and about froze.

Since I’m staying inside most of the time, I am comfortable. I don’t mind being in my condo. I read a lot, tackle a few chores and watch TV (movies especially).

My cards and on line Christmas shopping are finished. Tree and decorations are in place. I can be lazy!!

Christmas dinner will be ham, baked sweet potatoes, cranberry salad, maybe another salad, pie and a nice wine. Easy peasy.

My financial guy, Rick from Ameriprise, has been investing my funds for many years. He invested the money from the sale of our farm, our Michigan house, our car, our RV, and more.

With the Covid-19 situation, a lot of folks are having a hard time with finances. I was pleasantly surprised that my funds grew significantly last month. I’m earning more monthly in interest than I did when I was working.

I guess I should believe Rick when he says, “Spend more!” Surprisingly there’s nothing I want.

I paid cash for the car bought last month.

I keep looking for a new couch but I haven’t found what I want. I know I want a power recliner like my current one, but I want it of high grade leather that can stand up to Sophie’s sharp nails, not stain, and will wear like iron. I thought I wanted white, but I realize that white will discolor so I’m now thinking of a gray. When I can get out more freely, I’ll go to someplace like the Florida Leather Gallery and order what I want.

For Christmas I am sending more to my family and I have been more generous with my contributions to charities. I’m so lucky to be able to help others.

I posted to this blog on June 17 about a fellow I’d had a date with. He died two days ago. Shocking!!!