I found what I’m calling a Happiness shirt that I bought for my sister’s husband for Christmas. An artist just posted on Reddit a recent painting of his, and it was so wildly colorful and funny I laughed just looking at it. The artist puts his work on a commercial site that offers not only the original paintings and prints, but printed on clothing and other gear too. So I ended up getting multiple amusing Christmas presents there. A lot of the paintings by this person have an astronaut in them — going camping, fishing, or whatever, and I thought this one shirt for my BIL was perfect because he is fighting depression. I was fortunate to run across the online store during Black Friday; I can hardly believe the regular prices there now.


It’s been a stressful season, with legal yuckiness (almost settled, so ok now), one sister giving me nightmares, and a lot of silly weather that can’t make up its mind if it’s fall or winter or just the rainy season. There’s snow out just now, which is better because the sun comes out frequently. At Thanksgiving a friend of the family made us all say things we were thankful for, and I stuttered and could hardly come up with something coherent because I find it difficult to utter sentimental statements (not to mention that family leaves me feeling so conflicted). Away from that crowd, I’m grateful for small things like having good winter boots and a big bag of salt, seeing birds in the yard, and getting to talk with friends daily.


I could use a birdfeeder near my front door so I can watch the birds better. Four of the fattest pigeons were just standing under the pine tree out front. They look like they’re fluffing their feathers out against the cold. In the backyard, however, I may need something to discourage deer. They have ripped up the wet, muddy lawn with their hooves, and piles of droppings were everywhere — but it snowed so cleanup will have to wait.