Well Howdy and Hello! The weather has finally changed, from summer to winter, skipping that pesky Autumn that I adore. Kayaks are put away, house painting is all done (except for windows), new garden completed and bedded down for the winter, pellet stove serviced and running, and yes, at my wife's request, holiday lights have started going up. I have completed some small projects inside, trying to keep the momentum up. My hope is that by Spring all inside projects will be completed. I really, really want to be able to enjoy next Summer without the guild of unfinished projects hanging over my head. I don't truly expect to be done with house projects forever, I just want to be done with the ones that have been lingering for years. New projects are ok. I am hoping that with the change to winter after the gorgeous summer we had this year, that we will get a good amount of snow on a regular basis. The summer was so sunny and dry (great for doing things outside) that we went into drought conditions in August. A good base of snow fall will help get us out of that. And as a benefit to me and my wife, we will get to use our snow shoes that we bought a few years ago. The last few winters have been a complete let down with very few snows that accumulated, and then they melted off before the weekend came when we would have had time for snow shoeing. A bonus this winter (not related to winter itself) is that our son-in-law is temporarily stationed for additional training until February, so my daughter and grandson have come to live with us until they transfer to the west coast. The boy is such a typical boy. He loves rolling around in the dirt and climbing things he shouldn't and then jumping. Had him helping me with the garden and moving dirt to fill in holes and low spots in the yard. Had him on the ladders while doing some of the siding and painting on the house. Lately he has taken a shine to sliding down the stairs, getting brave enough to start from the top, sometimes on his backside, sometimes on his stomach. And the giggles! Working from home has been such a blessing, freeing up two hours a day not having to commute so that I could get more done around the house. Being able to dip out for a few minutes to say good morning to my grandson and have lunch with him. Sneaking in a few minutes to do dishes or do laundry so that I have less to do after work. Our youngest started a medication for acne. It took a couple of months to get it in hand with all kinds of requirements including multiple pregnancy tests. I didn't see anything in the literature that stated there was a hormone component, but there must be. Within a week of starting it she has been more open and connected to me and my wife. She has even expressed interest in decorating for the holidays and watching stupid hallmark movies with us. Two things she has avoided the past few years after puberty hit. Even some of the surliness has gone. Or I guess it could be desperation for social interaction finally overcoming her teenage need to distance from parental figures. Maybe the COVID lock down has a silver lining. I miss getting together with family and friends and brewery hopping and look forward to being able to do that again. While a few coworkers have gotten COVID, none of my family or friends have been adversely affected (for which I am very thankful). Time to count my blessings. Life IS good.