Tag Archives: Valentine’s Day

Monday, January 12, 2026

In Otter News – Substack

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My son, who does computer work, asks me, “Mom, are you bored all alone in your place?” 🤣 I LOVE days where I can do whatever I want for as long – or as little – as I want to. No one is here to tell me I ‘should’ be doing anything in particular. The only thing I want to accomplish today is taking my clothes to the laundry. (I think I can handle that… )

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I try to limit myself to 3 posts a day, though sometimes it’s hard. I keep finding interesting things or people I want to share with you! I look at the limiting as a character-building exercise, making notes on where to find the information I want to share next time.

Latest painted sketch

I’m flattening this one face down on my shelf with some books on top to give to my adoptive grandson the next time I see him.

And this one is also flattening to go on the wall when I take it to the nursing home for my husband on Valentine’s Day.

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123RF

Today I started adding stairs to my exercise regimen. I live in the same building as my son, and I walked down from his place to mine after breakfast (4 floors) this morning. I kept my hand on the hand rail and paid close attention so I didn’t end up on my head. There were only lights on MY floor, but I could see okay and the flights were clearly marked. I had no trouble, so I’ll continue walking down several flights once a day, and then will add at least a couple of flights going UP soon.

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Earth Rangers

Since there is no “heat” as such in Thailand buildings, “The Cool Season” (Nov. 1st-Feb 15th) is a bit of a challenge. I’m a wuss, since 50 is not cold, and it gets up to the low 80s most days in the afternoon; but I’m used to having central heat set at 72 degrees F., a fireplace to burn logs if desired, an electric blanket for the bed, etc. Space heaters and electric blankets are not considered safe here, so I’m learning to dress in layers, heat up hot water to drink, sit under a towel on my couch – or, better yet, in the window where the sun is shining in – and I have the throw my son, Brian, got me on the bed, adding socks there, too. 🥶 Starting later in February through May, Brian tells me I will start griping because of the HEAT and HAZE… Right NOW, that sounds really good.

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Other than write my blog posts, I will spend time with my turtles puzzle and

KinderCare

painting in my art alcove, sitting in front of the window to warm up in-between.

I LOVE having the day to NOT have to plan!

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Valentine’s Day 2024

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MindfulChristianityToday

When I was working (some 45+ years) my husband always had flowers or other things delivered to me at work on any day OTHER than a special day. He really didn’t like to be ‘forced’ to do something just because it was Valentine’s Day, for example. He always did ‘just because’ days. I still like that attitude. But I do like special days, too. :0) I hope YOUR Valentine’s Day is a special one.

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February Thoughts

Freepik.com

I have very mixed thoughts about the month of February.

As you may know, I tried to get a petition going last month to do away with the month entirely. I got a few signatures and high-fives, but didn’t have enough to push the measure through.

February is an awful month for weather in Arkansas. Arkansas doesn’t ‘do’ winter gracefully. It would be wonderful if we could get snow – fluffy, pretty snow – or even a wet snow great for snow people creation, and then move on to Spring. But NOOOOO! Arkansas has an ice storm BEFORE the snow, causing havoc and danger. Since we live on top of a ridge line, and our driveway is steep and on the north side of our property, our place is the last to thaw and clear any time the ice and snow come. My husband paid an awful price for this on the 21st, slipping and falling on the ice at the bottom of our driveway, breaking his collarbone.

Besides the weather, February is a bad month for me personally. A lot of the people who have meant the world to me have died this month, so as I’ve aged, more and more sad memories land here. I’m lucky that GOOD memories exist, too, and that I have had the privilege to share part of the lives of some truly wonderful people.

I do enjoy Valentine’s Day, though I feel guilty that so many men feel OBLIGATED to do something for the day. I much prefer

  • that people just show their love for each other EVERY day; or
  • they get their love something small and sweet, maybe give a special hug and good wishes

The best thing I can say about February is that USUALLY there are only 28 days. (Except this year)

Freepik.com

Groundhog Day doesn’t mean anything – we ALWAYS have 6 more weeks of awful stuff before we can think of spring. It has snowed on my birthday in March here, so I don’t feel we’re clear until the middle of March.

So – my idea for the petition to do away with February remains available, if you’re interested….

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