random thoughts – Day 2,116 (Thursday) – hello 2026

First snow of 2026.

It was snowing again this morning. Steadily. At 7:30 I was suddenly very glad that I had not put in the effort to successfully invite/convince anyone to attend one of the 10:00 First Day Hikes in the area because now I didn’t need to try and weasel my way out. 

This year's local-ish options were Willard Brook and Wachusett Reservoir. After failing to round up accomplices, I had figured I could go alone, but the falling snow stopped that line of thinking. Walking in freshly fallen snow is one thing. Walking in a steadily falling snow is another. I found out much later that one of the hikes was cancelled due to icy conditions, the other recommended cleats and poles. 

While it was snowing and for a while afterwards, the plow for the neighborhood was doing laps like it was a NASCAR track event. By 8:30, the snow seemed to have let up and the Snow Angel was out clearing the neighbor’s driveway, then mine, then Mom’s. My mind had already moved far off the hiking plan and I indulged in an extra long, hot shower. The new journal for the new year was cracked open. There were word games and Duolingo lessons in chess. The turkey soup started a couple days ago with half already sent to Mom’s house was put back onto the stove. Rice was cooked for the soup and lunch of soup and toast was had.

A couple things needed to be mailed so a trip to the mail boxes was executed, followed by a visit to Ocean State Job Lot because I was already out. I failed to take a basket or a cart and the shopping was dictated by what I could carry. A pajama set was built from the women’s pajama pants rack and a men’s rack of Henley shirts. The discounted Christmas decorations were browsed and spools of ribbon and some ornaments were gathered. A jug of body lotion was selected to combat winter dry skin. 

The annual Twilight Zone marathon was dabbled with and man, those stories still hit home today. Apparently, greed, ambition, paranoia, fear of the unknown (especially strangers), and extreme ideology are everlasting themes.

Pink-ish sky and full-ish moon.

Late in the afternoon, the sky in front of the house took on a pale pinkish color and the almost full silvery moon hung in the sky. Out back, a sliver of darker sunset color was barely visible through the trees.

A macaroni and cheese dish was baked, mostly to use up some tired milk. Pots and pans were washed by hand. Dance steps were reviewed and music listened to for a new choreography. Videos were reviewed with time stamps noted for cool moves that could work with my dance partner’s choreography. That’s how we work. Music is chosen and I search out cool combinations and vibes and send them over, and she does the heavy lifting of somehow making at all come together and make sense and then we meet up and dance, practice, and refine it until it’s in our bones.

The Christmas cards came down from the kitchen wall and holiday serving dishes, napkins, and cups were put away. The day was a nice way to ease into the new year.