Monday Blessings

 

It is currently 50 degrees out (feels like 41 degrees according to the weather app) in Saint Michael, Minnesota. Snow has covered the rooftops and yards for the past two weeks. Warmer weather over the past two days has melted most of the snow. There are light patches here and there where the sun has not reached. We are expecting a high of 45 tomorrow so I fully expect those lingering snow patches to disappear. Just in time, as Wednesday there is either snow or rain predicted, depending on the temperature when the precipitation starts. The ground is already saturated – a ten-foot area of his backyard our neighbor’s backyard has a low spot full of water. I am dubbing it Lake Butternut. I’ll let you know if geese and ducks show up.

This week, temperatures swung from -20 to 50 degrees. I am not complaining about this. It is what it is. I simply find it fascinating. If I had to be homeless, I’d definitely feel different about the weather in Minnesota. Outdoors I wear a lightweight flannel jacket as long as the temperature is twenty degrees or above. I drove to Megan’s to drop off Charlotte’s vest today and had to remove my jacket because it was too warm.

I stayed at Megan’s for about an hour so she could grab a shower. My job was to sit in the dining room to listen and watch Oliver on the baby monitor. He was down for a nap in his crib upstairs. It was entertaining to listen to the noises and watch his little legs move as he slept. He was swaddled, so there was no arm action. Every day, Oliver looks more and more  like Caleb and Charlotte. His little ears have a heart shape on the top, just like the Formo family. Oliver slept during my watch which meant no opportunity to run up and kiss his sweet little face.

While I was out, Joe unpacked his new saw and mill, which arrived this morning after being backordered since December. The mill crate is huge! It takes up almost half of a garage bay. It will take a few days to uncrate and get it in to place in his side of the garage. I am beginning to suspect that our car may end up permanently parked in the driveway. We never parked our car(s) in the garage in California, and we parked our car outside for the ten months we lived in Megan’s basement here in Minnesota. So, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. It’s just that the garage is twenty degrees warmer than outside temperatures. On those -20-degree days I’ll just stay inside! Only one thing would get me out in those temperatures – going to visit with my grandchildren.

As I wrap up, I marvel at the ever-changing weather and its impact on our lives. From melting snow to Lake Butternut, nature keeps things interesting. Watching Oliver grow and seeing Joe's excitement over his new saw and mill reminds me of life's simple joys. Whether it's braving the cold to visit family or adjusting to Minnesota's quirks, there's always something to appreciate. Until next time, stay warm and cherish the special moments.