As I write it's 30º F outside, just below freezing, and has been for several hours. There's no wind at all and the sky is clear, the stars twinkling. I vaguely remember from my years in Florida that having wind is a bad thing for produce growers during a freeze, because they turn the sprinklers on their crops to give them a coating of ice, which paradoxically protects the fruit from even colder air temperatures. But I'm glad there's no wind because we're not doing anything with fruit or sprinklers and wind would blow the billowy cover off the avocado. This is our coldest night for the foreseeable future.
That (above) was the scene as I walked to work yesterday morning. It was nice to have some sunshine for a change. We've had such a gloomy autumn.
And this was the scene on our street as I walked Olga yesterday morning.
I must admit I am struggling with my mood. Between hearing about Trump's cabinet picks, dealing with my substantial British taxes (I'm supposed to talk to my tax preparer tonight so I can better understand them) and getting back to normal after my medical procedure earlier this week, I am feeling depleted. Fortunately next week Dave, Olga and I are taking a little overnight trip for Thanksgiving, so I have that to look forward to.
30F?? Yikes! I may have lived through such a temperature in Germany the year I was born, but we left there the following February so I have no memory of that thank goodness. Your pictures don't look cold, just wintry, because of the sunshine. If I ever visit London I'll be sure to come in your summer, with my Australian winter clothes ha ha. Olga is looking well.
ReplyDeleteYes, summer is definitely the time to visit. The only downside is the crowds!
DeleteRead the poem "November" by Edmund Hood(?) . We did it once in class at school when I was 13, with each person quoting one line, going around the class.....
ReplyDeleteTook me a few minutes to find it. The author is actually Thomas Hood (assuming it's the same poem you're thinking of) and it's certainly accurate! A notoriously gloomy month.
DeleteIt is good that you are able to share your "struggling with my mood" observation Steve. Even though I am not American, Trump's election knocked me for six. My interest in current affairs suddenly diminished significantly. Like you, health concerns have surfaced for me and that is rather depressing too. We must be kind to ourselves and patient too. There are brighter days ahead.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I just do not have my normal appetite for news and current events. Thanks for the wise words about being kind to ourselves. It's a trying time.
Delete'Feeling depleted' describes a great many of us. Like you, I've found that the best thing that I can do for myself is to accept that I cannot change the big picture. So I will turn my focus to the things that ARE within my power. I love that picture of the sun on your street. Olga looks as if she's had just about enough of your nonsense. Put the camera away, man, and walk this dog. I'm curious to see how your avocado does this winter. How close is the house next to yours? My daughter's house has a narrow alleyway between her house and her neighbors, with a gate. If you have the same set up next to that little shed that needed the repair, perhaps you could tuck the avocado back in there, out of the worst of the wind.
ReplyDeleteThat's often what Olga looks like when I pick up the camera! We have an alley similar to your daughter's (known as a "side return") but at this time of year it gets no sun. I think the avocado will fare just as well on the patio, which at least gets a bit more light and is fairly sheltered.
DeleteYour first photo looks like a postcard, Steve. What a pretty street you live on.
ReplyDeleteI understand that depleted feeling. Disengaging from the news and political opinion as much as possible has been my method of coping with the election. I'm trying very hard to live by the Serenity Prayer right now...it's not easy.
Your little Thanksgiving trip sounds like just what you need. Take care.
Or like George Costanza's father: "SERENITY NOW!" The street at top is not the one we live on -- that's near our school. But the bottom photo is our street. :)
DeleteYou're bound to be feeling blue with everything that's been happening. A trip away, cheerful company and good food should help to alleviate some of that despondency.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am so looking forward to our little escape!
DeleteI guess I haven't been worried about his cabinet picks because I know the most controversial ones aren't going to get approved. I tend not to worry about things that aren't certain until after they arrive, especially when it is out of my power to change them anyway.
ReplyDeleteAnd Gaetz is out, proving me wrong that he wouldn't make it through confirmations. He didn't even make it TO confirmation.
DeleteI know what you mean, but the mere fact that these people have been NOMINATED gives me agita. It seems Trump's main criteria are 1) are you loyal to him, and 2) have you been on television?
DeleteThe good news about The Felon is the pushback he's getting from his own party about his Cabinet nominations; and the news for the MAGAts that tariffs are going to raise prices. He's going to implode and take the GOP with him.
ReplyDeleteThat said, Olga at dawn is lovely as always!
Yes, at least there are questions from Congress, as there should be!
DeleteWe've had a wonderful sunshiny fall, warm and a bit too dry. Rain is happening now, a relief because it will knock down the fire hazards. I'm coping with the current situation by joining with other people to resist together.
ReplyDeleteOf course we will all resist in our own way, but that doesn't make me feel much better.
DeleteBoth of those photos are lovely! I'm trying to completely ignore Trump's cabinet picks (no easy task!). I've quit listening to NPR and podcasts, I just read snippets of things, and then I move on to my latest novel.
ReplyDeleteAt times like this, fiction is definitely preferable!
DeleteHere's a thing I've noticed- if I ask someone how they are these days, invariably they'll say the polite thing, "Oh, doing okay. You?" And if I say, "Yeah, okay. But I don't think any of us are really doing okay since the election," the other person sort of lets their shoulders go and really looks at me and that's when we start to talk truth. Just the very effort of attempting to go on as normal is so wearying. I'm not saying that has a whole lot to do with your mood- you have so much going on- but I'm sure it plays a part.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you guys are going to have a little get-away.
Yes, I'm sure there are many, many people who are struggling with these developments in our nation. Why is election day held at the dreariest time of year? If it was summer at least I could get outside for some diversion!
DeleteYour two photos are very fall-like but your temperature today is very winter-like.
ReplyDeleteI am keeping up with the news but I have to admit, I'm not watching the news as much as I did before. I can only take so much.
Same here. I have to limit my intake for the sake of my sanity!
DeleteWell, if it makes you feel any better we have a couple of nights of minus 15. Nothing to worry about. Plants? No problem. They've been gone long ago.
ReplyDeleteThis is why Dave doesn't understand covering and uncovering plants. Coming from Michigan, his home state, he's used to letting things fend for themselves because it gets way too cold to do anything else!
DeleteSteve, if it's any consolation, there are many many of us that have the same feelings about the election as you do. No matter how occupied I am with other things that feeling of dread is always there. Stout heart!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jim. A feeling of dread is a good way to put it. That's exactly what it feels like.
DeleteIt seems like everywhere in the world people are sad for one reason or another. As if it's some cosmic event that everyone gives a different reason for. I wish us all happier days.
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful wish and I concur!
DeleteI have a feeling of dread indeed and even when I'm feeling happy, if I let myself think too much about the election, my stomach gets upset. So, I'm trying not to think about it too much! I'm glad you're getting away for a while; a change of scenery can be helpful. I'm seeing two of my grandsons today and that is a HUGE distraction.
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to get out and see people and do things, and stay diverted!
DeleteOMG. Yes. Things could be better. The one reality we all/most agree on.
ReplyDeleteI expect nothing less than chaos from DT. His picks are bromances and they can fall from favor in an instant. That's DT. My hope is, due to chaos, little will get actually accomplished. At best, prevent great harm.
I listened to Doris Kearns Goodwin, Historian & Author (YouTube) and she gives a historical perspective on DT's election. It is pretty good showing democracy in action and the need to uphold democracy over many years.
Your Thanksgiving get-away will be great. Hold that thought!
Yeah, that's what I told Dave -- the one consolation in all this is half these people will be out before a year is up. And his "bromance" (as you put it) with Elon Musk is bound to meet a similar fate sooner or later.
DeleteI've not let myself think much about world/national affairs since I can't do anything about them. I've had enough on my plate with the deaths of two friends and one dog in the last few weeks. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, too. Hopefully it'll be a "pick me up" for all of us. I like Olga and the sunrise. 😊
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your friends! I knew about the dog but of course I'm sorry about that too. That's a lot to handle!
DeleteHaving something to look forward to is enormously helpful.
ReplyDeleteIt really is. It makes a huge difference for me psychologically.
DeleteIt will be good for you all to get away. I understand "depleted" all too well and you have been on one heck of a ride lately. I have cut back on news but still must follow because I don't want to be ignorant of it, even though it all scares the heck out of me. Just keep counting the days till your holiday.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we can't turn it off completely, as much as we may want to!
DeleteIt's hard to keep our spirits up with all the craziness in the news about Frump's next term. Ugh. I read on one of the blogs, "When you elect a clown, you are going to get a circus!" and that about sums it up.
ReplyDeleteYou, Dave and Olga have the right idea of taking a getaway next week. Perfect planning!
That really is a good way to put it. Remember how chaotic it was last time? People getting hired and fired willy-nilly?! Sheesh -- more of the same.
DeleteWhere are you going
ReplyDeleteTo Bray, in Berkshire. We've been there a couple of times before. It's a great little getaway and very close to London.
DeleteThe sky in the Olga photos looks quite serene.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice morning in advance of a sunny but cold day!
DeleteFeeling depleted is the perfect way to describe how I am feeling. Glad the three of you can get away a bit for the Thanksgiving holiday.
ReplyDeleteA bit of a break always helps!
DeleteYou've been through a lot, and I'm sure the medical procedure has depleted you. It's definitely weird and awful to wake every morning knowing that Trump is doing his thing. I really don't know what to say, much less to do.
ReplyDeleteNo one does. We are all wandering in the wilderness.
DeleteSo glad you have a little trip to look forward to. It’s not easy to stay upbeat. The light in your photos (and your photos), beautiful!
ReplyDelete