WE SAW RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER TONIGHT

ONCE AGAIN I DID NOT HAVE MY CAMERA AS WE DROVE AROUND IN MANHATTAN LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.  I drove the car down a dark residential street when I saw two large creatures in the road about a half a block from me.  I thought it was two large dogs, but the closer we got to them I could tell they weren't dogs, but deers.

What a treat to see nature up close and personal.  I slowed the car down as we approached them.  They slowly moved out of the road to the side of a yard.  There were 6 rather large deers crossing the residential street.  The funny thing about this was when I turned on the car radio, the song Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by Burl Ives was playing.  It was perfect timing.  Mr. Ives had an interesting voice and it's easily recognized when I hear it.  

When I get close to deer, it's almost mesmerizing to see them.  They didn't seem frightened that I was there in my automobile stopped in the middle of the road in the dark.  Away they went into the night.

Today was a wonderful Sunday.  The day started out blistery cold at 17 degrees warming up to 22 as we ventured out for the day.  Winter coats came with us out from the closet this time.  We left early enough to eat Lunch at Applebees knowing we could have Blackened Cajun Salmon, broccoli and garlic mashed potatoes.  I'd be having some cake later at a Reception.  We drove to Valley Center, KS. to celebrate our cousins' 55th Wedding Anniversary.

The Reception went well and I had a small piece of Chocolate Sheet Cake.  I'll have to look up the calories later, but I balanced it out by drinking the beverage of my choice, water.  Never mind the 3 Barbecue Meatballs and Wieners I devoured.  The Celery stick was legal.  A very small Ham Slider was eaten very, very slowly.  

I was able to visit with some relatives that I don't know very well.  This was refreshing to visit with them.  I left feeling like I know them better.  Our Family Reunions have slowed down since co v id hit.  I'm not sure when or if we will gather again.  

It saddens me as I have attended Family Reunions all my LIFE.  I am 66 now, so for 66 years I have been a part of these Family Gatherings where we share a POT LUCK MEAL and visit one another.  The young children usually play board games as the adults chat.  Each time it was a joy to get together.  Perhaps, we will continue this tradition at Thanksgiving and 4th of July.  

We'd have pleasant time in Valley Center and drove over to see my Mom and Sister in Marion before sunset.  I saw for myself that Mom is healed from being in a wheel chair with a leg brace to using a walker to walking on her own.  Meds, physical therapy and prayer did a great deal for my 89 year old momma.  Praise the Lord!  I told her I'd come in the Spring and help her with cleaning out her closet/clothing.  

As we were visiting, my sister's phone went off where one of her friends texted telling her that she tested positive for co v id.  She had refused to get the vaccines and now she does have it.  I hope she gets through this without injuries.  She takes care of her ailing husband with dementia.  It is a turn of events that one can never tell how life is going to go.  

My cousin that died tragically in a summer auto accident did not fear co v id, refused to wear masks and not get the poke.  It wasn't co v id that killed her.  

We'd be going through Manhattan, so I detoured to look at CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.  This is when we saw the deer in a residential area.  We'd go down Main Street stopping at the traffic signal when two horses came by pulling a wagon full of people that was decorated with Christmas lights.  It was magical.

Onto Wamego's City Park to see the well decorated Park.  There was another horse pulled wagon decorated with lit Christmas lights coming down the street.  That's two different communities giving rides to the willing.  I pulled over to the side of the road and turned the car lights off to watch them pass by us.  With the car window rolled down, I could hear the sounds of the horses' hooves clopping  along on the road with laughter flowing out from the back of the wagon as the people were enjoying their ride through the park.  It was magical.  

FOODS TO EAT TO COMBAT HIGH CHOLESTEROL

When I type out my daily FIT PAL page tonight, I will have to think hard what all I ate today.  No supper tonite because later in the day, I had a Cranberry Bliss Bar from Starbucks.  This was a splurge day.  

Gulp...Blood work on Tuesday and I suppose my A1c will show that I have been eating sweets this month.  A tell-tale sign that I am human.  Only Veggies and 5 bean Salad on Monday. 

I know that I will be have another splurge day on Christmas Eve and CHRISTMAS then it's back to eating a more restricted diet.  I can pat myself on the back since I have given up sodas and coffee with creamer where none will be found in my blood stream.  I seldom have bread or milk these days.  Cookies, pies, candy and such are rare.  I am curious about how my A1c and Cholesterol results will be.  This week I will know. 

Here's to a wonderful week as we get closer to CHRISTMAS,

~d