Well, That Was Unexpected

Thanksgiving dinner was at dinnertime this year (after the end of the Packers/Lions game) so I had to drive 39 minutes to Shawano to DS's in-laws. That meant leaving 45 minutes before I was supposed to be there so I wouldn't feel rushed. That was working out really well until I got about 20 minutes into the drive when I saw red and blue lights flashing on an SUV behind me. I got pulled over for speeding! Other cars passed me but I'm the one who got stopped. The speed limit was 65 and I thought I was doing 69 but evidently I was going a little faster than that, or the State Trooper was bored and liked my red car. She gave me a written warning but that took about 10 minutes so then I was pressed for time BUT I did not speed. It was tempting but I didn't. And I stayed below the speed limit on the way home. I have to be extra good for the next year because I won't avoid a speeding ticket if I get pulled over again. The last time I got pulled over was about 49 years ago. I should be all right. Oh, the dinner was fine, I wasn't late, the company was outstanding. All good.

 

It was cold last night and it didn't get up to freezing today so it was no wonder that the birdbath was icy this morning. I went out to top it up because the heater works better when it's mostly covered with water. Plus then the birdies can get a drink.

 

The chubby squirrel was embracing the suet nuggets feeder this morning. This is the one that leaped on top of the feeder and then tried to figure out how to get some birdseed. No luck. It jumped down and went for the nuggets instead.

 

While the chubby squirrel was on the nuggets another skinnier squirrel was hunkered down in the square green feeder just chowing down. I kept watching for it to come up for air but it didn't for a very long time. Long enough that Sparrows landed on the perches and had some seeds from the feeding ports. Finally just when I'd about given up, the squirrel popped out for a breather.

 

We are now in the Holidays & Seasons section of Drawing Cute. Today's figures were Wreath & Holly. I had a hard time making the wreath circles round with the "fluffy" parts added but I did a bunch of erasing and was satisfied. I was surprised that I didn't have trouble drawing the holly leaves. I usually have trouble with leaves. And did you know that holly is poisonous? I don't think I knew that.

 

Speaking of holidays, the Christmas cactus has opened up one flower. It's on a low branch that kind of hangs off the edge of the counter. I'm afraid I'll knock it off. There's another bud getting bigger to.

 

I checked today and the watercolor postcards fit in the invitation envelopes I have a box of so I can paint more and safely send them through the mail. Hooray! 

Today's word total was 1,554. I'm way over 50k now and climbing. Only three more days of Novel November remain. I need to think about wrapping this story up, even if all I write are the bones of the story. I can add the meat later.

--Barbara