As the month comes to an end, I must say that January daily highlights have been fitting the usual pattern lately.
A little snow, more bird watching, a lot of walking around (yesterday I visited the south end of the Long Bridge), a strong yearning for something less mundane to occupy time, especially in the evening hours AND great excitement yesterday in our household when I figured out how extend Mr. Coffee's life span.
Bill purchased our most recent edition just a few months ago, so yesterday, when I tried twice unsuccessfully to get coffee to go from the maker into the pot, Bill said the manufacturer must be timing the newer models to go down sooner.
We had just about given in, figuring that Bill would pick up a new machine on his way home from work.
Not quite daunted, though, and while looking over the machine, trying to figure out why it wouldn't work, I saw a tiny screw holding the pump in place. Of course, we don't have screwdrivers that small, so I decided to try a paring knife.
It worked!
I was able to take the pump apart and remove it from the pot, eventually determining, by trial and error, that some icky coffee scum was blocking one of the openings where water is supposed to flow.
After a thorough cleaning, I plugged in the pot and "voila!" it worked again.
So, that was a BIG event for January at our house, and we've decided that maybe, with this new knowledge that paring knives work with tiny screws, our present Mr. Coffee might even live to be a senior citizen.
January has been a more eventful month than usual with the post election insanity, the Inauguration and even with the Pandemic, which the New York Times this morning noted a substantial decrease in cases over the past week but not in deaths.
Sad to read this morning that Panhandle Health District reported 12 deaths in one day, two in Bonner County, and the youngest victim in the area.
Still a long way to go before we can let down our guard, and it's probably the most important time ever to keep following the guidelines.
Throughout this 10.5 months of life put on hold, I've used the term "magical thinking" numerous times, in reference to situations where our heart tells us a gathering or taking it easy just this one time will be okay, only to have our minds kick in with the facts, reminding us of how those "just once's" can spell disaster.
The term "magical thinking" came into my life several years ago while reading Joan Dideon's short novel The Year of Magical Thinking. It dealt with her life during the time her husband was dying, and, as I recall, the writing was superlative as was the story.
So, this morning, when I saw a link about an interview with Joan Dideon, I figured it was certainly worth checking out.
Without being too much of a spoiler, let's just say the end result for the interview is in a league of its own. Also, let's just say, the author had much more to say in her novel.
Thursday Throwbacks . . . . as usual a grab bag of winter events from past years, including a trip to the Southern California desert with Annie.
Seems this is always the time when such excursions are on the calendar, as are basketball games in Les Rogers Gym.
Not to be this year, but the memories of good times with good people help fill the void.
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| The Nitcy family when son Sam was honored at senior night. Johnny, on the right, is a friend and former teaching colleague. |
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Our family friend Jean aka Mow with Annie in the desert. Below, on that trip, Annie taught my classmate and friend Janis about geocaching. |
It's GAME DAY for the ZAGS.
Tonight No. 1 Gonzaga takes on the the San Diego Toreros.
Tip off is at 6 p.m. PST on ATSN and KHQ/ROOT.
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