Light on Wildwood Mountain

It has been dreich and dreary all day. On one hand it is good because we need every drop of rain that falls. On the other hand it has been a sort of dispiriting drizzle with occasional short but intense showers making it hard to go out and do anything. We managed a quick walk with Spike around the circuit . Every time we go around there has been work done, whether it's tree cutting and chipping, clearing of properties or just a new view that has opened up with so many trees taken out. 

I spent most of the day looking online for Christmas presents. We can't really shop much 'in person' but we're trying to avoid Amazon. It is a special challenge since we haven't seen two of our three children and their families in almost a year and nobody is willing to guarantee shipping by Christmas. 

There was an article in the paper about how the hidden 'fourth surge' due to the Coronavirus and related restrictions is taking a big toll on mental health, especially the elderly in care homes who are not allowed visitors, and those in the service industry who either have no jobs, are trying to make ends meet by doing several jobs or health care workers on the front lines with no end in sight. Fortunately, we don't fall into any of those categories, but it is still tempting to just go to bed and pull the covers over my head.

the sun went down, it emerged from under the clouds and bathed the vineyards on the lower part of Wildwood Mountain in beautiful. light...