One more embroidered towel done.
At this rate it will take me a couple of months to finish all of the towels I promised but I am making progress.
#Sewing

I had to hurry, hurry to bake some muffins. Our next door neighbor is going back to San Francisco for a medical appointment early tomorrow morning.
So, we baked whole wheat banana chocolate chip for them to munch along the way. We added extras for their RV staying guests which they said will be leaving tomorrow too.
This is good news.
I broke one muffin open for my husband to execute his quality control duties before delivery. He ate half of it before I could even take a picture. He says he might have to eat another one to be sure but I won't let him spoil his dinner.
Usually he just tells me they are terrible so he can keep them all.
#Baking

Summer climbed right up to give me a pep talk. She says that vacuuming and cleaning the garage will be fun. She says to look on the bright side. I asked her to clarify that bright side declaration. She says she is the bright side because she will help.
She is the purveyor of happiness around here.
We wondered if we get our backsides in motion and get the chores done if we might have time to bake muffins for the neighbors and the free pantry.
We will see. Now we're motivated.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

We are enjoying this morning moment. We are all feeling perky and happy to be together.
We decided to save the worries for tomorrow. Not that there isn't plenty to worry about but a rest is in order. I even took off my Fitbit in favor of a free day.
Warm apple turnovers for breakfast with rich dark coffee.
We reminded each other of challenging times past and our good fortune in surviving and beating all the odds. We are so lucky and we are thankful.
Summer says she loves all of us too.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer and I were awake early. The sunrise looked promising.
I am a little slower to get ready to go out in the cold. As we watched the sky turn red and purple I scrambled to layer up and get out the door.
Summer was hurry, hurry hurry.
The fog was faster than I was.
Oh well.
The silent fog was calming. I told Summer that the moist air is good for her complexion. She completed her security check before we came back inside to help her pal get his day started.
Good morning, Mastodon.

I was able to get away to protest today. Just my daughter and I as the grandkids held down the home front for me.
I wore my inflatable unicorn and carried a sign that said Free Minnesota.
For a small area it was a decent turnout but it's not enough. It will only be enough when it is overwhelming enough.
I stood next to an old friend who just turned ninety. We worried about what the future holds together arm in arm with our signs in the other hand.
This rose is out in front of my house today. Looking somewhat worse for the climate it is trying to bloom in spite of.
Me too.

Byron wanted to know if I had any treats on me. He is always nudging for treats.
#Caturday

@ianbicking
Every bit of this is so important.
People are taking our country back one neighborhood at a time.
Eventually we will all have to do our part.
Thank you for being on the front lines.

Dinner was leftovers.
Now we can all relax.
Summer is taking the caregiver shift.
She brings her pal his slippers.
Puts her head in his hand to score some ear scritches.
Offers a paw shake after the slipper delivery.
Finally settled at his feet to help keep them warm.
I so appreciate when she takes over and gives me time to do my thing.
I know he is good paws.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

@doneknitting
Perfect!

And so the sun set on our twentieth anniversary.
Our lobster dinner was perfect. We worked on it together as sort of our gift to each other.
One after dinner slow dance later we are ready to tackle another year.
It is hard to express my gratitude to whoever or whatever decides our destiny. I know finding a life partner who shares my likes, dislikes and convictions isn't a given but especially in today's world it is a blessing to find all of those things in one old dude.
Looking forward to year twenty one and next year's dinner and dance.

Summer is happy to be home and thrilled to be outside in the cold with me so I can take my mask off to drink coffee.
She told me all about her travels including her secret to getting a minute away from the other dogs. She says she just jumps into the bed of the truck and none of the other dogs could jump that high. I did tell her that she might encounter other jumping dogs in the future but I was glad she had an escape.
She did really like Bart the pointer. They are officially friends.
The morning is cold and wet after the overnight rain. She and her pal aren't showing any signs of getting ill.
So far so good. I'm not going to stop masking until I am absolutely certain we are past the incubation period for pesky viruses.
Time to go back inside and get her pal ready for his doctor visit.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer loves to entertain us on these rainy weather days.
The after breakfast lull was happening so Summer started running up the stairs with her toys. I'm pretty sure she has a plan.
Next thing I know she is her tossing toys downstairs and I am throwing them back up to her.
My husband observes that she is training me well.
When she decides the game is over she brings the toys back to the basket in the order we ask.
She might be too smart for this first time dog mom.
Time for less playing and more housework.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Oh my goodness.
Stitching towels is very therapeutic.
It will be good when the weather permits more outside activities. Right now most of our property is totally saturated.
I'm not good at sitting still so I stitch.
I still have about thirty blank towels to keep me busy until spring.
#Sewing

Good morning Mastodon!
We are relaxed on this last day of 2025.
Truth be told we are relieved to have survived.
The year started out with us wondering if there was still a way forward as citizens of a country steaming ahead in the wrong direction.
The result has been a mixed bag.
We are heartened by the number of people who share our values. The resistance is jam packed with people of courage and heart.
In 2025 my husband attended his first protest ever.
So did Summer.
I do believe we will turn this trainwreck around.
Our lives have changed though. We have made new friends and ditched those that align with or tolerate MAGA by trying to claim a neutral stance. We shop to avoid sellers who support hateful policies.
No one can tell me that these things don't matter because they have to.
I don't know if 2026 will be better but I have high hopes.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer's jobs at our house are varied and hard to describe with one title.
She is the Director of Happiness, Herder of Slippers and Foot Warmer in Chief.
When her pal needs his slippers, socks or a hat she is on it. It doesn't even matter where they're hiding.
She knows all.
Nothing makes her happier than being helpful.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

One more flour sack dish towel is embroidered.
No matter how many projects I complete my overwhelming supply of floss never looks diminished.
A friend just offered me her collection of thread to bolster mine.
Yikes.
I turned her down hoping she can find a friend that doesn't already have hundreds of skeins.
Some of mine are so old they have a price of 12 cents printed on the label.
I am having great fun gifting a few towels here and there.
#Sewing