Life Is a ...

As our family navigates living with pancreatic cancer, we find exceptional days of jubilee, and inevitable days when our situation is the pits.

We're all in this together. I'm contemplating the effects on me. I'm feeling older, but wiser, and gradually more capable.

Life is something, isn't it?

Cardio

Our life seems driven by a series of doctor visits. Today, it was the cardiologist's turn.

Suncatcher is from TadsaShop on Etsy

As we waited in the exam room for the results of Dale's EKG, I noticed something on the floor. You can see it there between Dale's knee and my shoe.

It appears to be a tiny paper heart.

I tell you, those hearts follow me around. 

(We had a mix of OK news and troubling news. That's part of our life these days, too).

Path of the Stars

Dale and I are sprucing up our home's exterior this year. After laying down a fresh layer of mulch on the yard, and power-washing all the concrete, we moved on to lighting.

We added new post-top solar lights, bringing a soft glow to the fence we share with our neighbor.

Then we added lights lining our driveway and the path to our front door. 

The way the light spreads into stars on the ground is incredibly pretty. 

Just Because

Yesterday our daughter Jodie brought her dad and me this lovely bouquet ...

just because.

Vibrant Owl at Night

I took Tuesday and Wednesday off work around the house to make strides toward a couple of my 26 in 2026 Goals. I put a puzzle together while starting to binge listen to the podcast The Best People.

This is a small puzzle, only 350 pieces and a finished size of 12" x 20". It's small in size but has an enormous impact!

Wow! Just look at this illustration close up!

It's another cheapie puzzle from Dollar Tree. This just proves that hours and hours of puzzling enjoyment can be had for less than two dollars (tariffs be damned!)

The setting sun.

The galaxy.

Gorgeous!

Take Note!

I loved having pen pals when I was a kid. Receiving a letter in the mail was a highlight, so I started the tradition with the next generation. 

It's been a while since my older two grandkids and I exchanged letters. Yesterday I remedied that lapse. I made each of them a card with their favorite animals. 

Melody's

Annalee's

Inside I wrote them each a personalized limerick.

Melody's

Annalee's

It's a sweet nothing from Mimi to her favorite Idaho girls.

Forest Village at Night

Wow. This is the first puzzle I've done in three months. That's fairly unusual for me, but understandable considering how distracted Dale and I have been.

It's 500 pieces by Puzzlebug. This is the brand I purchase from Dollar Tree. I check for new puzzles each time I go in - not because I need more puzzles! I have shelves of puzzles ready to put together. No, I like their small size and small price. I often do these small puzzles by myself rather than Dale and I putting them together as a team.

I prefer puzzles with illustrations rather than photographs. I also like bright colors. If they are whimsical, that's an added bonus.

This puzzle has all those qualities.

My goal is to complete 10 puzzles this year. I think that's still attainable.