Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Out With the Old, in With the New!


  I mentioned in my last post that we had 8” of rain in one day and I wanted to assure you, that wasn’t a typo.  During the 18-hour deluge, roads filled with water and accidents happened right and left.  Many roads had to be closed.  When the storm was over, it was like the aftermath of a hurricane with deep water standing everywhere.  


 The day after Christmas, the sun was out, it was 74 F, and we were eager to get outside.  

  I couldn’t yet hobble far from the car so we set up our chairs on a dike at the edge of an old rice field in Santee Coastal Preserve and let birds come to us.


The view in front of us ...


An expert fisherman, a great blue heron in his 
winter gray plumage, watching for his lunch.



And over our heads, a kingfisher, ready to give his piercing, rattling call 
and plummet straight down to the water to spear a fish on his harpoon bill.   

  That was a few days ago.  Since then I have traded in the walker for a cane, the pain from the surgery has significantly lessened, and I am going for short walks outdoors.  Yay!  
 
  I spent some time today looking through my photos for the year and thinking about all the wonderful things we’ve done, the places we’ve gone, the family and friends we’ve spent time with, in 2019.  I’m so thankful for all those good times and can’t wait to see what the next year brings!

  We may or may not be awake tonight to welcome the new decade but tomorrow we will for sure eat our Hoppin’ John and cornbread for good fortune.  

  And for you, my friends —


11 comments:

  1. You seem to be making very good progress. I wish you both a happy and healthy 2020.

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  2. Happy New Year! Being on the mend is a great way to start out a new year.

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  3. Glad to hear that you are healing well, Cynthia. All the best for 2020. I hope it brings you great happiness. Best regards, David.

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  4. I can tell you're looking forward to 2020 when you've completely recovered from your surgery. Have a great 2020.

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  5. Happy New Year! You are recovering from the surgery and being patient! How about those Orioles...what a nice gift they were for you!

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  6. Best wishes for 2020. May many more beautiful birds flock to your yard.

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  7. A Happy New Year to you and hope your knee will recover very soon!

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  8. Happy New Year to you. Today I'm doing laundry and taking down the Christmas decorations. The last of our company departed yesterday morning and made it home to NH by 8 pm. It was good to have both daughters and their families here but now good to have our space back.

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  9. 8 inches of rain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My God how we would love to see that in Australia.
    My beloved country is on fire and there is nothing but fire reports on TV 24/7.
    Unfortunately getting worse with every update.
    Colin

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  10. What a beautiful scene before you. I'd be anxious to get out and see that, too. Have a happy new year and may it last all year.

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