Photo-Finish Friday -- Warm Purrs To You

Katmandu, left, and Annie, own our friends Bob and Sylvia.
These kitties can be most quiet and cuddlesome.

Gratitude Monday -- Christmas In Edmonton Edition

We had our annual late season Christmas with friends Bob and Sylvia this past weekend.
It was our turn to go to their place in Edmonton and it was wonderful.
Another friend, Gwen,  joined us for dinner and brought dessert, one of the best apple pies I've had the pleasure to know.
Later we played Cards Against Humanity and had a blast.
It takes a certain twisted mindset to enjoy this game and for it I am well-equipped.  Play it with like minded souls.
We did a bit of food shopping and stocked up on Kalamata olives among other things. We went to a very special liquor store that will have what you want unless it is not available in Canada. We enjoyed a lovely walk on Sunday.

We had a wonderful time with wonderful friends and for it I am grateful.

Photo-Finish Friday-- Happy New Year, Day Late Edition

Thursday marked the beginning of  the Year of the Sheep or Goat, depending who you ask.
Out of respect for ovines and caprines everywhere I've decided to honour both.

These sheep are grazing in an overgrown area within the boundaries of Naxos City.

While this village goat on Santorini surveys her domain.

That Word Never Used To Mean What You Think It Means

Back in the heady days of my youth "epicentre" was a geological term referring to the point on the surface above where an earthquake starts, and that's all it was.
I miss those days.
The Random House Dictionary defines it as: "A point, directly above the true center of disturbance, from which the shock waves of an earthquake apparently radiate."
(The Random House Dictionary of the English Language, The Unabridged Edition, c. 1983, and for the record, also 1981,1979,1973,1971, 1970, 1969, 1967, and 1966.)
It is the only definition offered.
I wish it had stayed that way.

Today, online dictionaries offer a second, common use definition of  it where it is used to mean center.
It makes my soul hurt.
The prefix 'epi' is used in words borrowed from Greek and means upon, on, over, near, at, before and after. I suspect "epi" is tacked on these days as a simple modifier of center as if in some way it makes the word bigger, stronger, and more important.
Like the hard copy dictionary I consulted today, I come from a time where access was not a verb, there was no reverse engineered verb root of liaison, and literally meant literally.
Language evolves, and its a good thing, but I refuse to always evolve with it.

Gratitude Monday -A Gratitude Round Up

I have several areas of gratitude today.

On Valentine's Day I was taken out twice, brunch and dinner.
It was a good, good day. I even had chocolate cake and ice cream at one point.
Also, I had toast and coffee. Now for most that's a regular daily event. But it's rare for me as I am gluten intolerant. I love the combo and miss it, but I do know better than to indulge too often.  Further, when I do have gluten I usually spent my gluten allowance on dessert. On Saturday I had both.

I have the flu. I was expecting it and it hit me Saturday. Fever, chills, achy places,  all the usual suspects. I had plenty of cuddle time with a heating pad  Saturday night and for said pad I am grateful.  Though I still have it I am much better today. I may even be able to read.
The reason I expected it is  my husband has it and he is sicker than me.  While I am by no means grateful he is ill, I am grateful I am not as sick as he is and can get about as needed.

The honey and apple cider vinegar I've been drinking helps quite a bit and I discovered the other night that a hot toddy with scotch and honey is really quite nice.

I am browning a beef bone in the oven right now to be made into soup. I like soup anyway and it is a comfort when ill. I am grateful for that, too.

Gratitude is everywhere, it is just a matter of knowing how to see it.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Moonlight on the Mediterranean

Full moon off Syros, Greek Cyclades.

Gratitude Monday -- I Remember This Edition..

I remember this night.
Our television, a Fairbanks Morris cabinet model, was acting up. By that I mean the commercials came in clear as a summer day, but the shows came in as static and snow. We could hear, but we could not see.
We went to the neighbour's house for this. Steve and Mary William's daughter Lorna and my older sister we best friends. It was logical we would go there.
I recall being there and seeing The Beatles and for all of this I am grateful.