Pic of the Day

WFH Friday

Thank goodness, I am working from home today. We got more snow last night, and I really don’t want to get out in it. Plus, I went to bed early last night because of a bad migraine. I was actually on the couch watching Jeopardy, and I fell asleep before seeing Final Jeopardy. I love watching Jeopardy, so for me to fall asleep during it, it should be a sign that I was really feeling awful. I still have the same migraine this morning.

I have a few work things I need to do today, but it’s mainly to answer some emails. However, I also need to complete some final preparations for my class that starts next week. I am both excited and anxious about my class. I have taught World History, American History, and Art History, but I have never taught a college class that I have designed myself, and especially one without a textbook. No textbook exists for what I am teaching. I have created classes from scratch for high school classes but not for college and especially not for a mix of undergraduate and graduate students. It’s a subject I know a lot about, and probably one of the few experts today on this particular subject, but it’s all rests on me. It’s a new experience and while I know my subject, I think most of us can agree that a fair amount of anxiety goes with all new experiences.

One last thing, my visit with my doctor went well yesterday. There were several things I wanted to discuss with him, and it all went well. There was a new medicine I was hoping to talk to him about for my sleep apnea, and he actually brought it up first. I have trouble with waking up with a headache due to my CPAP, so I would love to be able to sleep without it. Also, I have had shoulder pain for several months. He told me it was a rotator cuff injury, but not a tear, so it won’t need surgery (this was my biggest fear), just physical therapy and a possible injection if PT is not enough. We also discussed my mother’s dementia. He understood what I was going through because he is going through a similar situation with his own mother. All in all, it was a good visit. My A1C, heart, and lungs are all good. I did not have a comprehensive metabolic panel done, but that will be done at my next visit in four months.

I forgot to add this to yesterday’s post, but here’s your Isabella pic of the week:

Pic of the Day

Back to the Grind

I have to go back to work today. I am not ready and wish I had a few more days off, but I’ll be the only one there today, so I don’t have much of a choice. Besides, I have a doctor’s appointment today. It’s a regular check up. I had been forced to reschedule because I had COVID when my original appointment a couple of months ago. I have several things I want to discuss with my doctor, so I am eager for this appointment.

Going to work today might not be so bad if we weren’t having a snow storm today, though looking outside, it doesn’t look like it’s as bad as it was expected. We’ve probably gotten about an inch so far, but we are expecting up to 8” today. I doubt we’ll get that much snow. It really shouldn’t (🤞) affect my commute to and from work. The worst should come after I get to work, and when I head home, whatever snow has fallen should have been cleared from the roadways.

For a little bit of humor this morning: as I was typing the title to this post, my predictive text kicked in and when I had “Back to the G” typed, predictive text suggested “Grindr.” I guess this phone (I typed this quickly on my phone this morning) knows it’s owned by a gay man. 😂🏳️‍🌈

Pic of the Day

With an additional New Year’s toast pic.

Happy New Year! 🥂

As we welcome a brand-new year, let’s take a moment to celebrate the journey we’ve all shared and the opportunities that lie ahead. May 2025 bring you joy, growth, and countless moments of inspiration.

This blog continues to be a place for thought, connection, and learning because of readers like you. Thank you for being a part of this wonderful community. Here’s to another year of discovery, reflection, and love!

Wishing you all a year filled with happiness, health, and success. Cheers to 2025!

With gratitude for all your support and kindness,

Joe

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

—2 Corinthians 5:17

Happy New Year!

Stars Fell on Alabama

Composed by Frank Perkins with lyrics by Mitchell Parish

Moonlight and magnolia, starlight in your hair

All the world a dream come true

Did it really happen, was I really there, was I really there with you?

We lived our little drama, we kissed in a field of white

And stars fell on Alabama last night

I can't forget the glamor, your eyes held a tender light

And stars fell on Alabama last night

I never planned in my imagination a situation so heavenly

A fairy land where no one else could enter

And in the center just you and me, dear

My heart beat like a hammer, my arms wound around you tight

And stars fell on Alabama last night

We lived our little drama, we kissed in a field of white

And stars fell on Alabama last night

I can't forget the glamor, your eyes held a tender light

And stars fell on Alabama last night

I never planned in my imagination a situation so heavenly

A fairy land where no one else could enter

And in the center just you and me, dear

My heart beat like a hammer, my arms wound around you tight

The image above made me think of the song “Stars Fell on Alabama,” with its magnolias, starlight, and field of white. This is not a scene you’d see in Alabama, but it’s a scene I could imagine a guy from Alabama witnessing on a snowy New Year’s Eve in Vermont.

Happy New Year, Everyone! 

🍾 🥂 🍾

I hope we all have a 

happy, healthy, safe, prosperous, and joyous

2025!