With temperatures from 0 to -33 F, and the sun rising only a few degrees above the mountains in the south, the golden glitter of sunshine in the snow crystals adorning the tree branches is stunning. Daylight is increasing at a rate of almost 2 minutes/day, now almost up to 4 hours a day. The beauty is certainly something to be thankful for.

From where she sits at the dining table, Joan sees this and the many chickadees, redpoles, and occasional woodpeckers that come to her birdfeeders outside the window.

Joan continues to knit, cook, bowl, enjoy movies and games of Scrabble, Equine Trivia, Go To the Head of the Class, and Boggle, walk out to fetch and then read her mail, play cards* with friend Nancy E and family, and visit Niilo at the Pioneers Home. *Joan has found that Rummy is even more fun with the inclusion of jokers as wild cards that can be taken by another player who has the card for which they were substituted.

Niilo has seemed less alert when family have visited lately, but Activities Coordinator Jessica tells us he plays kickball with her, using one foot, the other, or both as directed. We have found that the best way to perk him up at visits is to bring ice cream, but perhaps we will now try out family games of kickball.

Chena & family are visiting Gary’s mother Theda (hello, Theda!) for her 90th birthday. We hope she enjoys reasonably good health for the coming year.

Thank you for the cards and letters, friends. If you have not yet received a reply from Koponens, you will eventually!

Heather