Category Archives: Deep Thoughts & Fun Stuff
When I don’t have to go anywhere …
… the snow is pretty! This is the view out my home office window.
Since I don’t drive in the snow, and I’m not a fan of the cold, I think I’m going to enjoy this winter. While I still have to go to my day job five days a week, I have loads of days off available (no vacations planned) I can use as snow days. And there are NO plans to go anywhere on weekends.
I’m really looking forward to this.
Yesterday was Wishes & Intentions Day!
Every year for the past few, my friend Heather and I have taken January 2 to write down our wishes and intentions for the coming year. We then seal them up in an envelope, and open them on January 2 the following year before writing new ones.
I totally forget what’s on mine, so it’s always interesting to see what I’ve written down. I’m happy to say that I accomplished 11 out of 22 in 2020 (and some are still “in progress”)—among them, write more, get the toxicity out of my life, keep my home office clean, and stop going to so many events so that I can enjoy more time at home (when I saw that one, I got the creeps).
I went more specific for 2021, and have 63 wishes and intentions. We’ll see what happens!
Farewell, Poe
I am heartbroken to share that my little black cat Poe (8/17/02—07/21/20), just shy of 18, has passed.
Poe was the runt of his litter, and an ex and I rescued him from a filthy house in which he was sleeping in an oven when he was just eight weeks old. We’d already chosen the name Poe, even though the lady called him Sam. We got to the house, and he was nowhere to be found (there were like 100 cats). Tom called “Poe” and he came right to us. For the rest of his life, he always came running when I called his name.
Poe was extremely intelligent, and a bit of a wisecracker—there were times I could almost see him rolling his eyes at his less-than-bright brother, Mikey. He loved his bacon, and at Thanksgiving, he was constantly sitting in an empty seat and trying to get at the turkey. He also loved cream cheese (I was prepping for a party once, left to use the restroom, came back into the kitchen, and he was Read the rest of this entry
In our yard, GLOBAL BIG DAY came early!
Global Big Day–an annual event in which birders all over the country watch and count birds in the name of citizen science–happens at the beginning of the migration season, in early May. This year, it’s next Saturday, May 9!
Although we won’t be doing our usual driving everywhere–to parks and other places–due to the pandemic, we will definitely be participating from our own back porch. You can, too! If you’ve already got some feeders up, you’re all set. Grab your coffee, cocktails and binoculars Read the rest of this entry
Merry Christmas! Here’s some Christmas Tree madness to brighten your day!
My husband Nathan picked me up a couple of pairs of these glasses that turn your tree lights into funky things. Well, I promptly needed to “collect them all”—or most of them, anyway! I’ll be giving these out at my New Year’s Eve party, but I wanted to share how much fun these are with all of you.
Have a blessed Christmas and an amazing 2020!
Love,
Kristi, Nathan, Charles, and Poe and Mikey
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes kick lively during their Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2012 performance. These were my favorite outfits from the last decade.
For lots of people the highlight of Thanksgiving is the turkey … mine is watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (usually while I’m on the phone with my sister, who’s watching it, too) … and, specifically, the Rockettes.
My parents, who were in theater, always used to say “if the show’s going terribly, just get everybody up there for a chorus line kick and that’ll fix it.” While I’m sure that was an exaggeration, I know that every time I see those Rockettes do their famous kick, the happy tears start flowing. It’s the most exciting moment of the day. And what girl doesn’t want to wear those adorable costumes and shoes? (Take a look at some of their favorite outfits from parades past here: https://www.rockettes.com/blog/five-iconic-christmas-spectacular-costumes-we-wore-for-the-thanksgiving-day-parade/)
From our house to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
Krissi, Nathan, Charles, and the cats (Poe and Mikey)
The things that haunt you: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
When I was eight, my mom made me a Cinderella dress. I wore it every day, and I cried when I grew out of it.
I have been waiting, like a princess for her Charming, for another version of that dress for 40 years, and today, my husband, Nathan, made it happen.
I feel like that innocent little girl all over again. So, here’s to getting the opportunity to relive your childhood–and put those ghosts to rest.
Happy Halloween!

This is one of my favorite images from the Cinderella album, mostly because I love the way her skirt is drawn.