38°f this morning, about 3°C, I think? Already 63°! Hazy sunshine with some clouds.
Last night's sunset, on our way home from Fairmont.
It is so warm out I have the doors open. What a change! Even the dogs and the cats are just laying around in the sun, enjoying this little taste of spring. We are in for a couple weeks of nice temperatures, not as warm as today, but certainly better than January.
Yesterday was one of the hardest days of the year for me. It was the day we lost our son Jon in a traffic accident. (He was traveling in Iowa and slid on black ice.) Itry to be busy on this difficult anniversary to keep my mind from dwelling in sadness. So yesterday we took a little road trip to see our granddaughter Haley and our son Aaron and his family.
They all live in Fairmont, about 2.5 hours from here. We left early and arrived there a little after noon, stopping to pick up flowers, grapes, and strawberries for Haley, who had ankle surgery recently and has been housebound and a little stir-crazy. Aaron offered to take us all out for lunch, so we loaded up in our van, with Haley driving as she hasn't driven in a few weeks and was so anxious to drive again.
It was a nice time, lots of chatting and laughing. We went back to Haley's cute little house, where her partner Desiree had arrived just minutes before. Haley found the movie Feast of the Seven Fishes online-- this movie, released in 2019, was set in Fairmont so there were many familiar landmarks. The Feast is an annual event, based on a custom celebrated by the area's large Italian population. We didn't get to see the whole movie, so I ordered a copy for us to watch later.
I think this sweet time together helped all of us get through the day. Jon's girls and their Mom were together too, spending the day tubing at a ski resort--a perfect way to remember Jon, as he loved any and all outdoor activities.
Today I am sorting out my garden seeds to see what I have (a lot) and what I need (not much). A perfect activity for this second day of the Celtic springtime. I really do like that calendar better than the Gregorian's assignment of the seasons.
My Brigid's cross, bought in Ireland in 2017 from a Traveler.
I also sorted out hat and gloves, all belonging to Larry as I have exactly one hat and one pair of gloves to my name. Can't stand hats and usually have to wear socks on my hands as my fingers freeze in conventional gloves. And my thumbs freeze in mittens. Very annoying, and probably a gift from the time I nearly had frostbite when I was a kid. (I literally froze my hands and feet while sledding.).
And now that those tedious chores are done and I have written this and finished my coffee, I think I will make apple pie filling from a gallon can of sliced apples that were given to us last summer. Wishing you all a peaceful day.
This sounds like a wonderful way to spend this hard anniversary day. We have had warm 70 degree weather today and it was much appreciated by me.
ReplyDeleteI know you will never forget this day. Glad you were able to visit with family.
ReplyDelete...we lost an infant son 49 years ago, it still fresh in my mind.
ReplyDeleteThe locals offer workshops making Brigid's crosses. They seem to be popular now that she has her own holiday.
ReplyDeleteOn days like this, you do what you have to to get by. I'm glad you were able to spend it with your family.
ReplyDeleteThe anniversary of a death can be debilitating. I am glad you managed some comfort. I have tried hard to let those days slide by me and celebrate my lost loved ones on their birthdays and at other holidays. For a while I bought gifts for our local 'angel tree' children, one for each and tried to buy what I thought my mother or aunt would have chosen. It helped, truly. But yes, it is hard.
ReplyDeleteA sweet and sad memory....Jon looked fearless and happy on his pony. Gorgeous sunset!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading some of your stories about Jon. He must have been both a delight and a challenge to raise, getting into various 'situations'. I didn't follow your blog in the time when he was killed.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how terrible that time was for you. I'm glad you made plans to fill your day with lovely distractions.
If you make the muffins let me know how they turned out and if you liked them.
Beautiful sunsets.. I have very pretty hand knitted with wool gloves, everyone admires them and ask did I knit them, but no, I bought them from Etsy!
ReplyDeleteAh, sorry about Jon's passing in that tragic way. You chose a good activity to help you get by.
ReplyDeleteYou have me checking our weather forecast. Many nights will still go down to or close to 0F. Will it ever end?
Glad you spent the day with relations, busy and all feeling the same way about John's loss. Sharing the love together. Sunset photos are beautiful. You started the blog talking about unusually warm weather, and ended by talking about frozen fingers. Such is our winter this year, and I love your Brigid's cross...spring is around the corner with who knows what...
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you navigated a hard day the very best way that you could. I think losing a child would be the very worst pain there is.
ReplyDeleteA good way to spend such a sad day.
ReplyDeleteNot driven in a few weeks - imagine how I feel about eventually driving come May - I haven´t been driving since 2018...
Apple Pie sounds yummy!
I always think of you when this sad anniversary rolls around for another year. I can only give virtual hugs, but I definitely am holding you in my mind. As for cold hands, have you tried all wool gloves and/or mittens? I handknit my own mittens using 3 strands of fingering wool sock yarn. Gloves don't keep my hands warm but these mittens work well. And because they're wool, they stay warm even when wet with cold snow. Batsy in Idaho who is finally getting a little snow this year
ReplyDeleteI was very sad to read about Jon. I am relatively new to your blog, so I didn't know. I know those anniversaries are tough ones -- the edginess starts even before the day.You were so wise to visit Aaron and spend the day with family. There is something so healing and supportive about being with family. Big hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for this loss. It may have happened in the past but the pain will linger, of that I have no doubt. May his memory be an ongoing blessing.
ReplyDelete