big Lou Lou is one of the two cats that I've recently adopted from a no-kill shelter.  She had been there 301 days at the time of her adoption because no one wanted an older mature cat.  Well, she is now in her forever home and will never again see the inside of a shelter.

The above "title quote" really has no relation to this picture of big Lou Lou other than it is one of my favorite Emerson quotes.  I can think of one particular fake president to whom this quote is particularly applicable.

Leona's story...or as much as I know about it:  She is approximately 12 - 13 years old.  Her human had rescued her from this very same shelter...but then her human grew old and eventually went into hospice.  No one wanted her and she went back to the shelter...and she had been there over 220 days at the time I adopted her.  Just like big LouLou, she is now in her forever loving home and will never be up for adoption again.

The joy these two old ladies have given me since their adoption is beyond measure.

They each have their own quirks (don't we all)...yet already we have become a family unit.  Leona and big LouLou have become friends and they love to chase, hide and attack each other.  In the morning my home is filled with the sounds of little feet running every which direction.

We are still establishing our routines.  However, I am becoming aware of the fact that they are both "daddy's girls" for where I go, they go too.  A dear friend of mine pointed out to me that rescued/adopted animals really understand what it is all about and that their love is 110%.  I believe that is true.

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"A time to reflect" is an overused cliche.  Yet there are times in life when one realizes that is exactly what they are doing.  Since the first of this year I have had some minor health issues that largely incapacitated me.  Being unable to operate, gave me a lot of time for reading, sleeping, watching television, eating...and yes, time for reflection.  In summation I've come to the conclusion that I have lived a good life.  At the end, I have family that are friends and friends that are family...and they all get along.  What more could I ask for?

In fact the other morning, while enjoying strong cup of coffee, I observed to CJ (my cat):  "CJ, you know what, we have landed really well."  We have a warm and comfortable home.  He has critters to watch...and in fact, he thrives in this space.  I have classical music to listen to and good books to read.  What more could I ask for?

Lastly, as I have mentioned, I dealt with health issues this year that impaired my functionability.  Now those health seem to be in the rearview mirror of my life.  And I ask once again,  what more could I ask for?

​You see, I have health, home, food, love.  What more could I ask for?

It is now Monday morning and I am sitting here enjoying the luxury of a hot mug of coffee, of the lights being on as well as the warmth of heat.

Yesterday was not the same as today.  Saturday night the power went out about 9:00...and it did not come back on until 1:24 yesterday afternoon.  The reason I know the exact time was because I was sitting the clocks on the stove, coffee maker, etc.

We'd gotten a good bit of ice from late Friday night and into Saturday morning.  Then Saturday night the rain, ice and snow returned with a vengeance bringing down tree limbs and trees themselves.  The point where I lost power was close to the corner of my yard where it interdicted my neighbors yard...a tree in his yard came down taking out the electric wire(s).

The long and short of me talking about this is that I hate ice storms.  I can deal with snow.  I can deal with cold.  But ice is just plain destructive.  However, I am also thankful for the goodness of neighbors who had power and invited me into their home for warmth, coffee and breakfast.  And for other neighbors who also had power and baked cookies and distributed them to those of us without power.

I came away from this event with a tremendous sense of community.  In these very troubling times, these goodnesses are beacons of hope.

A good friends passed on to me this idea/recipe for a brownie...or bar.  It is excellent.  The basic ingredients are your favorite packaged brownie mix (8x8 pan size) and two Symphony bars...plus oil, eggs and milk per brownie mix instructions.

Mix together the brownie batter per the directions on the package.  Pour 1/2 of the batter into a greased 8x8 baking pan.  Top this with two Symphony bars.  Pour the remaining batter over the top of the bars...smooth to edge of pan.

Bake per directions on brownie mix package.  In my case it was 30 minutes and 350 degrees.

Enjoy.  Really, enjoy!