Queen-sized cat bed

Good morning and hello! It’s February 3, 2023, and you made it to see another day and perhaps maybe to see comet C/2022 E3 before it heads off into parts unknown. It has been too cold and cloudy around here when it is visible, so I have not had a chance to check it out. This is my eighth winter here in the Coachella Valley and even though it seems colder than it has been in the past, it really is not much different than it has been in the past eight years. Mornings are always frosty and the afternoons mild. Truthfully, I do not like cold weather, my fingers get so cold sometimes that they feel like I have ice cubes instead of bones in my fingers. However, I know what is coming in less than four months, the summer heat. So, I am enjoying this weather, even with the cold temps. If only I could put a few of these cold days in storage and pull them out in July. A girl can dream, right?

This shot was taken last week on a drive to Palm Springs.

The last time I wrote a post was almost a month ago and a few things have happened. One of the things is that Hubby is now a retired person!!! I am sure that it is taking some getting used to for him. Afterall, he had worked for the same company for over 30 years. Yesterday, I mentioned to him that he seems healthier, and his skin has a glow to it. Probably because we have been spending more time outdoors. I am sure that he is still trying to get used to this new part of his life but sure that it will not take him long. For me, and this is a bit selfish, I am over the moon that he is home now. One of my (recent-within last 8 years) goals in life was to make it to retirement age and to be able to enjoy it, with Hubby. Well, YES!!! We did it! I have noticed how much easier going he has become. Things that would have stressed him out before seeming insignificant to him now. Also, it was nice that I didn’t have to miss out on getting to see my grandson get an award because I did not have transportation. I hate asking for rides and taking Uber/Lift is not preferred. We both got to see him get his award and that for me is a great day! I’m sure that there will be hiccups and such as we become accustomed to our “new-to-us’ lives but nothing that we can’t get through.

Through the eyes (lens) of a Grama.

The guys played at the Tack Room Tavern this past Friday. They play in the patio area, next to the Polo Pizza Company, a restaurant that shares the patio with the Tack Room. We had arrived around 6 PM as their gig started at 7 PM. The place was packed, and I put my name on the wait list for tables. I sat on one of the couches in the patio while Hubby set up. A few minutes before the guys started playing, a table became available, so I ordered food and drinks and watched the band. I really hate sitting by myself and eating but there in that patio, I did not feel alone. The waitress happened to be an old friend and the patrons sitting in the tables in our section all seemed to know each other so it almost had a family party vibe that night.

Not a great photo but I had to tell you about that pizza. I ordered The Polo pizza from the Polo Pizza Co. menu as I had seen their Instagram post earlier in the day. The pizza is made with medjool dates (They tasted candied), bacon, caramelized onions, baby spinach and a garlic white sauce. I highly recommend it and know that I will be ordering it the next time the guys play there next month.

The crowd that night was festive and there were many dancers on the floor. I even got brave, or maybe it was the beer, and tried to dance. The guys though, they sounded great and looked like they were having a great time up there on that stage. It was a great night, that is sure. Looking forward to their next gig there in March.

It has been a struggle, but I finished two more paintings. As I mentioned, it has been cold, bone chilling cold. Everyday when I wake up, I never know where “it” will hit. “It” is pain and tightness in my bones and muscles. Sometimes, it is only pain in one finger and other times, my ankle muscles become so tight, it feels as though they will snap it I move it. I wish I were kidding…Anyhow, going upstairs to work on art had not been happening much but somehow, it just got easier, and I have been up and down those stairs several times a day in the last few weeks. Below are the two that I finished.

This is an acrylic painting of the singer of Collective Soul. This was done on a 12 x 9 practice pad.

This is a painting of Hubby done on a black canvas 16 x 9 stretched canvas.

In one of the prior posts, I mentioned that I purchased a new Panasonic point and shoot, camera. I have been trying to get used to it and even though it should be easy enough for a kid to use, I think I may be overthinking it. Also, I am having trouble focusing as my eyes are not as sharp as they were. Anyhow, here is a sample of some of the photos that I have taken with it. They are not bad but not what I would consider clear.

My son and his family gave me those almost two weeks prior to this photo being shot.

Well, time to get on with our day. I just love saying it, “Our day.” Truly, I am thankful and grateful for all the things that have gotten me to this point in my life. The pets seem to have already adjusted and love that their Paw is home every day and they no longer have to wait for him to come home on his lunch break to feed them breakfast. A win-win for the whole place.

Tacobelle lets us share her bed till she doesn’t and that is around 3 AM.

Thank you, dear reader, for visiting. It’s Friday and time to relax, perhaps see some live music, dance in the dark, wherever you are going, may you get there safely and have a lovely time. Hugs!