Hard to believe there’s just one week left in January, huh? February may not have much going for it, unless you’re into groundhogs or candy hearts. It’s also Girl Scout Cookie season, so at least we have Thin Mints to look forward to.
Like everybody else on the planet, I got sucked into all the #berniesmittens memes. Laughed my ass off for days. I think it was a collective sigh of relief and a great way to let go of all the stress that had been ever present for 1,461 days leading up to January 20.
I won’t share any more. I’m sure you’ve seen enough of Bernie’s mittens to last a lifetime.
It’s been a pretty nice weekend. When we got home on Friday, we built a fire and watched a Vince Vaughn/Jon Favreau double feature (The Breakup and Swingers). I learned that Tara is not a Vince Vaughn fan. Granted, the guy’s no Al Pacino, but he’s pretty money in those two movies, baby.
(That’s the problem with Swingers. Great movie, but then I walk around for the next three days talking like that.)
Saturday, they were predicting snow. Great, right? Well, no…because they were only predicting snow in the southern Black Hills. So, we decided to take a drive through the southern Black Hills.
It may not look much like winter in Rapid City, but the hills did not disappoint. We were gone seven hours and made stops at Pactola Lake, Sheridan Lake, Stockade Lake, Wind Cave National Park, and downtown Hot Springs before heading home. Picked up a Papa Murphy’s pizza, played some Rummy and cribbage, had a few drinks, hooked up the Nintendo and played a few games.
Today, we went to brunch at Belle Joli and stopped by the mall, where Tara picked up a giant garden gnome. I had no idea she even liked gnomes. Even after almost a decade together, my wife still surprises me sometimes. She asked if I was okay with that, and I just shrugged my shoulders.
“You put up with all my flamingos,” I replied, “So I don’t really have a leg to stand on, do I?”
Pun intended.
Mark My Words 
And one of these days you’ll quit winging’ it, too.
Love the pictures. And pizza night. That sounds so awesome and cozy.
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I cry fowl!
“Awesome and cozy” are the best kinds of nights.
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I briefly looked into getting the Bernie Sanders sweatshirts he is part of as a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels. Sold out for at least 2 months. Thinking a gift for my brother. Your snow pictures are exceptionally beautiful! Flamingos and Gnomes………a match made in heaven. 🙂 A fun post, Mark!
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That’s what I like about Bernie. He just rolls with the punches, and then turns around and supports a good cause. I might have to look into the sweatshirt myself.
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Gnomes and flamingos. You guys are becoming THOSE people. 😉
Take that, neighbor across the street with the Christmas decorations!!
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We both seriously laughed out loud over this comment! Guilty as charged…
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I cannot get enough of Bernie and his mittens. I am however even more fixated on his mask. It sits unevenly askew on his face and that is driving me crazy.
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OMG. I never noticed that before, but you’re right! Now I’ll never be able to un-see it.
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You’re welcome.
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My mind is starting to bend toward the gardening season, too… only several more months to go!
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We’re going to do raised beds this year. Tara says we can get an earlier start that way too, because you’re not waiting for the frozen ground to thaw.
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Look forward to reading about your bounty.
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As someone who was a troop leader, I can totally relate to THAT Bernie meme. Why in God’s name is cookie season during the coldest month of the year and right after Xmas cookies? Makes zero sense.
I like a garden statue or two.
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That’s an excellent point. Plus, they’re competing with chocolates over Valentine’s Day. I kinda think May would be a better time for Girl Scout cookies.
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You realize people hardly ever settle for just one gnome. Before you know it those little buggers will be popping up everywhere. Beware..
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They’re going to multiply like the flamingos have? That’s what I’m hearing.
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Count on it.
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Oh, what a great ending to a lovely story. Nicely reasoned and said. 😄
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I know when any argument will be futile. I also know when to cut my losses.
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All of your content is just amazing 🙂
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