Friends, this post has has been in the works in my brain for a while now but I have no idea what will actually spill out of my fingers before I press publish! I’ve finally found a good time to ask for an hour at my desk with the door closed, so I’m going to do my best to break the ice and get something written.
My last blog post was exactly two months ago and I’m struggling to remember all of the missing details. There have been colds, the flu, strep throat. Trips to the hospital, penicillin injections, numerous doctors appointments, emergency visits. Phone calls with the insurance company, treatment denied, but wait! now it’s covered and we just didn’t tell you, so now you owe money to a different insurance company. Family members planning visits, us changing our schedules for them, and then those visits are cancelled at the last minute, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
We’ve been hanging on for dear life, taking comfort in our routines when we’re well enough to engage them, and doing our best to have fun and enjoy the ride. And it’s all been a blur and I’m hoping I’ll have a restorative night of sleep sometime in the near future.
AND
The best part of the last two months was the total solar eclipse earlier this month. We were so excited that the path of totality was going through northern New Hampshire and we woke up early that morning to make the trek. The drive up took about twice as long as normal (right around 5 hours) and there were some painful moments, but we found a parking spot about an hour before totality.
The kids were wonderful during the event (all 3!) and I couldn’t have asked anything more from any of them. I wouldn’t call the experience life changing as some have, but it was certainly an awe-inducing moment that I am so glad to have been a part of.
The ride back home? Well, it took over 9 hours to get home. At one point, it took us 6 hours to get through a 10 mile stretch of road. We weren’t expecting that level of traffic and there were lots more tears all around, but we survived. Would we do it again? YES. But I would look into renting a camper van for the trip.
Other than that, I’ve kept myself afloat by knitting a little and reading a lot. I hope I can update you on those things in the coming weeks. I think many of you will be surprised by what I’ve been reading, especially if we’re not friends on Goodreads! (And why aren’t we? Add me here!)
And there! I’ve broken the ice and am looking forward to catching up with all of you! I hope you’re enjoying the release of The Tortured Poets Department and are reveling in old loves and hope for the future. I know I am! Here’s to a wonderful weekend. Take good care!
The Cozy Burrow 
Holy moly, 9 hours???!!! Been thinking about you and great to read your update. Live, live, live — no pressure and always glad to know you’re there! ;-)
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it was crazy! The stretch of road between Twin Mountain and 93 barely moved. But we survived! And I hope all is well with you!
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You are very special and a jewel in my life. Good to catch up. I get it! JUST KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!
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You are so kind. Thank you, Linda!
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Good to see you again. Insurance companies are a … very familiar with the in-network dramas and the denial of meds a doc prescribes. Hang in there, that’s all I have except for a virtual big hug. Take good care of yourself and get back here when you can.
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Insurance companies are the worst! Thank you for your kind words and support 🙂
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it’s always a treat to see a post from you! Please know you’re in my thoughts even when you’re not in my feed … so glad to hear that y’all are hanging in through a difficult season. I’ve been tickled to see what you’re reading and hope we can connect soon over another book. I’m thinking Marylynne Robinson might need to wait until after Ninth House?! Take care and happy Friday!
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Thank you, Mary! My reading life has been on fire and I can’t wait to share some of my favorites here. I DID start the Robinson back in mid-March and read the first few pages of the first essay. It’s going to take a lot of effort, but I’m up for a very slow read whenever you are!
I just got the newest Leigh Bardugo, The Familiar, from the library and am planning to start it today. I think it’s a standalone but let me know when/if you decide to go for The Ninth House. I’d love to read it again!
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I was so glad to see you in my inbox today—I had actually just been thinking of you recently, and thinking you must be in a very busy season. I hope you’re feeling somewhat grounded (and it sounds like books and yarn may be doing just that). May spring and fresh air and some sunshine work its magic on you and yours.
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Thank you, Carolyn! The sun is shining brightly in my window as I type this and I’m hopeful for spring flowers!
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hooray for the eclipse but ugh to being unwell and insurance but hooray again to hear that you are looking forward to blogging again – one day at a time 🥰
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Ha, thanks Juliann! You captured all of my ups and downs perfectly!
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I’m glad you got to see the eclipse, up front and in person! I enjoyed “watching via TV!” I pretty much followed it all afternoon that way. My great grand nephews, ages 6 and 10, got to see live in Cleveland… They were impressed!
Thankful for live TV and science and books and yarn and especially, the occasional pause..
Cheers~
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I love that you were able to bask in the eclipse! So much fun!
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It’s always lovely to see your post pop up but don’t feel any obligation to write. You are one busy Mom. Holy cow, that was some drive to see the eclipse. I’m glad to hear you’ve found some time to read.
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Thank you, Jane! And the ride was just awful but the eclipse was completely worth it!
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Where I live we had 97% totality which was good enough for us. We sat on the flowerbed edging in our front yard and watched. It was very interesting but I have to admit, I was more excited about my quilt retreat that started two days later.
Sorry you’ve experienced a frustrating/challenging two months. Hopefully the weather is warming up where you live and you have started with spring. Blessings!
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97% totality is amazing! And I don’t blame you for being more excited about your quilt retreat – that sounds like a lovely way to spend your time!
Spring is finally starting to appear here and it’s wonderful to see all of the new growth happening. It truly makes a big difference!
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Grr, I just wrote a whole comment and WordPress ate it. Anyway, the gist of it was that I am sorry you’ve been dealing with so much illness and upheaval and I hope you’ve seen the last of it. I am keeping my fingers crossed that you continue to have some regular time to yourself and that things get back to normal. I know you’ve been doing a ton of reading, so you’ve been keeping busy even if you haven’t been able to get to the blog.
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Thanks, Sarah! My reading life has been so robust these last few months and I’ve really enjoyed my life in fantasy land. It’s been a wonderful escape for me. BUT I’m looking forward to getting some good sleep so I can restart my super early morning writing time!!
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I’m sorry you all have had such a challenging year so far. I hope it gets easier from here.
We were supposed to have about 85% of the eclipse where we live but it was rainy and cloudy! So it was a bust unfortunately. Oh well. It’s fine! I remember the 2017 one vividly and it was almost total here.
I haven’t had much time to write the past few weeks – gardening season and everything else that comes with spring has eaten into my blogging time. I hope to get time today to post something. It gets harder to write again the longer you go, as I’m sure you know.
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Bummer about the clouds! I’m glad you have such good memories of the 2017 eclipse. I’m so pleased to hear that you’ve been able to get your hands in the dirt. It’s a lovely way to spend time and it’s such a fleeting season! And yes — I know all about how hard it is to jump back into blogging after a long break. Good luck to you!
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Hope things get better for you! We also had totality for a few minutes in Fort Worth, TX…so cool! Your traffic ordeal sounded awful – ugh. Looking forward to hearing about your latest reading.
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Thank you so much, Marty! I’m glad you got to experience totality. And I’m happy to meet another Texan – I grew up in Southeast Texas!
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It was a delight to see you in my feed reader this morning, Katie! We did not have totality here (but 97% was darned close enough to not drive anywhere!)
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It’s really hard to beat watching the eclipse in your own backyard!! So glad you got to enjoy it 🙂
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Good to see a post from you! The only thing holding life together with kids is routine, and when that gets interrupted, all bets are off. That drive sounds crazy! Hopefully your kids will remember it forever, though. My kids watched the eclipse from school, and my husband and I were in the driveway watching when the mail carrier drove by. We asked if he had looked at it yet, and he said “Nah, I don’t want to see it”. But why??
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Thank you, Sarah! What a fun thing to do with your husband, especially without kids! I’d call that a date!! And what a funny response from your mail carrier. Some people are just contrarians!!
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