Sunday 1-25-2026

Serenity You

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I’m trying to check on my friends and relatives as quickly as I can today to find out how they are doing in the awful weather that is sweeping across the U.S.

I think it was 2020 when we were iced and snowed in on top of our ridge line in Arkansas. We stood on our front porch, listening as the branches of trees snapped off, sounding like gun shots. Our trees never did recover.

We lost public power and public water for 14 days that year. We had a Chinese diesel-powered generator in the well house that blew a gasket during the storm, causing my husband and son to go out every half hour and cool it down with water to keep it going and from melting down completely. We had a well, so we switched to that when we lost the public water.

It took us 3 days with a chainsaw to saw and haul our way down our 650+ STEEP driveway when the rest of the area had been able to return to normal. (The driveway was on the north side of the property, so it was the last thing to thaw.)

From the weather maps, it looks like we may be having a repeat of that awful storm all the way across the U.S. It will take people quite a while to get back to normal even after the storm has passed. I’m hoping that power is restored as quickly as possible and that people have stocked up on what they needed to weather this.

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Anti-tension Squeeze Ball – We got one of these to encourage my husband to gain strength in his fingers and fists. (We got one for me, too, just for giggles. ) He was kind of intrigued for a while, was able to squeeze it a bit with his right hand, but not at all with his left. (I kept my ball on my computer table, just picking it up and giving it a quick squeeze or two when my fingers give me twinges or lock up after typing too long at a time..)

The balls that come out when you squeeze are small gel-filled balls that come out in quite satisfying colorful displays.

I have just added to my exercises for today because my quick squeeze today resulted in a complete ERUPTION of the ball, sending small gel-filled balls all over the computer table, my keyboard, the floor under the table, all the way to my front windows, and some even under the couch! WHAT A MESS!

I’ve checked a couple of times now, finding a ball or two hiding from me. I THINK I have them all picked up now and discarded…😳

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It’s 82 degrees F. right now. (I know. I’m hanging my head in a bit of shame telling you this when so many of you are in the deep freeze) but I’m having a throw-open-the-windows-afternoon to celebrate my finally being warm enough to shed my hoodie in my too-chilly place. I really never realized how spoiled I was to be able to set the thermostat in our home to a comfortable level, and then lower it a few degrees in the winter to save on the electric bill. We also had a wood burning fireplace that we usually burned just for the creature comfort aspect, rather than really needing the extra heat. We had a nice hearth you could sit on to warm your back…

I’m trying to adapt to the fact that there is no heat in Thailand. They simply endure being chilly for “The Cool Season” (Nov. 1st-Feb 15th or so – 50 degrees F. for a low and low 80’s for highs), concentrating on spending money on a/c for the 3/4 of the year when it’s hot, hotter, and hottest. I’m constantly wearing a sweatshirt, my hoodie, or a jean jacket, and then covering up with a throw while sitting on the couch. My nose and fingers stay cold. I have finally had my son order a “weighted blanket” for my bed. I had put the throw on the bed because wearing pajamas, socks, and sometimes my robe under the duvet were needed. That left me in the living room under a towel. 🥶. When I get the new blanket, I’ll put that on the bed and bring the throw back into the living room. It’s hard to imagine being too cold in Thailand. Brian is telling me it won’t be long before I’ll be griping because I’m too hot – Right now, that sounds really good…

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Stay safe and warm the next few days. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. ❤️