February freeze time -

This has been a somewhat strange week.  
Weather all across the board. . . . rain, fog, sunshine, ice, more rain and cold temperatures.  The painless needle in my arm came back to haunt me in the dark night when Covid #2 vaccine played havoc, fever, chills and the run over by a bus sensation.  Don't let my personal reaction put you off though, get the vaccine, and the good feeling later that you are much safer and will be ready to stretch your wings and take flight again soon.

Wings.        Delicate feathers.         Our feathered friends.       The way to fly.

The garden birds are also tired of rain and cold.  On the warmer, sunny day they seemed so chirpy.  We cleaned out the birdhouse - still filled with nests of twigs, moss, grasses and such. Now ready for new construction crews who will hopefully arrive come spring.  

My Valentine flowers are still looking lovely - when they start to fade I will dry the roses. On that sunny afternoon I sauntered around the garden to prepare a list of all the work we need to address come spring.  Many bulbs are pushing through that soggy earth and two daffodils were already blooming. . . . . . . always a lovely sign that things are looking UP!

Life saving?

This year I chose my own flowers during a whip round at the local grocery store the day prior to Valentine's Day!  Bob was willing but as there were so many to choose from, and I knew what I would enjoy, he said go ahead pick your own while I'm grabbing my cereal!!!  We do not delight in spending much time in the grocery stores now. Armed with a list, a quick pass with little time spent browsing is the usual.  Romance or surprise did not really come into equation, but choosing what I knew I would love was enjoyable.

I gathered bunches of roses, carnations and alstroemeria, all in faded shades of pink and cream.  The floral clerk came over and loved what I cradled in my arms and asked to take a photo - not of me but the flowers!

Back home in the kitchen, I first added the flowers to a vase to allow them a good clean drink, then later trimmed the stems a little and arranged them in the large vintage white pitcher.

On Sunday, Valentine's Day, we were up early to make our 9:30 AM appointments at the hospital parking lot for our second Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations. Well organized, as was the first visit three weeks prior, the volunteers in lime green safety vests directed the traffic through the chilly, soggy mist toward the canvas tents where cheery nurses, male and female, awaited with their needles at the ready.  

Because I have an allergy to iodine contrast dye, we were then directed to a 30 minute parking spot to wait before leaving just in case I had a reaction, which I didn't.  We drove away feeling that we'd just received 'life saving equipment' which will hopefully prevent us from becoming ill or making others ill. We understand that this not a silver bullet and we must continue to be diligent, especially for the next 14 days.

Did we experience any after effects from the second vaccine?

Bob didn't, other than the expected soreness in his arm.

As for me - I awoke at 4 AM Monday morning feeling like I'd been hit by a bus, dizzy, shivering, with a somewhat elevated temperature of 100.1F.  I followed instructions, took Tylenol, drank water and went back to bed. . . . . .. and slept until 11 AM!  Rested most of yesterday - didn't even feel like blogging - and today feel much better.

Saint Valentine's Day 2021

The only bright spots in the winter garden lately.........a flag and the birds!

 Sending love from our house.

"I really wanted chocolate but it looks like he brought me sunflower seeds again"

"I guess it's the thought that counts. . . . . . and in all honesty I like these a lot"

"Doing the best I can for my loved one on a cold, wet Valentine's Day!"

~ Northern cardinals ~