For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Good morning everyone! Well, here we are at the end of another year, almost anyway, still one more day to go. A lot of different things happened this year, some good, some not so good. It actually began with problems happening back in January and kept going right up to this month. There we have it, my year end report.
These are always tough to write. Well, let me see, back in January the government wanted some paperwork from me that I did not have, so, I had to contact another part of the government to get that paperwork. They had never heard of it. Naturally.

Some Red Pines covered in frost.
In the end I got what I wanted, after dictating to them what to say on the paperwork. Sigh. That took nearly 3 hours on the phone. Then I sent it in but somehow it got lost. That produced worse problems, but it did finally get sorted out. Sigh. Then my brother died, he and I were very close. That was back in April.
Then Muffin lost 2 friends that month also, Mila from Italy, my friend Rossana’s cat. Then Mr. Cat (MC in my mystery story series) died that month also. Writing his death into my mystery story was hard. Mr. Cat had been part of the story since near the beginning. Steve, Muffin and Mr. Cat were the main characters in that story for a long time before others began to be added.

Frosty trees against the blue sky.
Through much paperwork again I finally got my pension started in July. Then in August I found out that I would be moving. I only had 4 weeks to get things packed, which considering all the stuff I have, is just not enough time. Especially since a lot of my collections are quite fragile, so they need to be packed well. Still did not help one box where nearly everything ended up broken, including family heirlooms. Sigh.
I should not have put all those items in the same box. Lesson learned, but too late. I really like this new apartment though, however, it does have its drawbacks too. But that is normal. Unfortunately all of my hobbies stopped when I moved here, so that has been a bit of a challenge.

Frosty trees by the river.
Okay, a big challenge, since it makes it hard to find something to write about. Which is why I do not write as much as I used to do. But maybe that will change again in the New Year. Then the last brother died just before Christmas, which kind of put a damper on Christmas this year. Just one more day to go, then we begin 2024.

More frosty trees and grasses by the river.
I wonder what the year will bring us? Have to wait and see. I went out yesterday while the sun was shining and took some pictures of the beautiful frosty trees. Those days of ice fog really put a thick layer of frost on everything, including the grass. So I am sharing just a few of those pictures today. More will be coming. Have a great weekend everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2023 Steve McLeod.
LOVING the wintry scenes, my friend!
Wish we had more than sloppy rain in Kentucky. Maybe next year… as in a few days.😉
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Well, we don’t exactly have snow here either, all that white is just frost, so unusual for us. But it is beautiful, that’s for sure. Glad you enjoyed it!😊😺📷🎄
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You faced more than enough challenges, Steve. I am sorry to hear about the demise of those who were dear to you and my condolences. Hopefully, 2024 will bring you peace and happiness. Stay strong, my friend. 😺☕☕🤍
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Thank you so much Eugenia. It was a challenging year in so many ways and I didn’t mention everything. Yes, a new year coming very soon and I look forward to a great year. Thanks again. 🙂😺☕☕
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You’re welcome, Steve. 😺☕☕🤍
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Oh, I’m sorry to hear you lost some loved ones. Our deepest condolences to you and the rest of the family. Same to you, Muffin, and your dear friends. It’s not easy. I lost my dad back in 2021, a few months before my wedding. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him. He prayed for me to get married and have a child. It happened, and he never got to experience it. I hung my dad’s picture up so my baby could see her grandpa. I miss him dearly.
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Thank you so much Tiffany for your kind words. Muffin thanks you too. Nice to hear your dad’s prayers were answered, even if he did not get to see it here he knows about it. Hope you have a good weekend Tiffany.🙂😺☕☕
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I hope the new year brings you only good things ❤️
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Thank you so much for those kind wishes Rossana. I wish the same for you and your family. 🙂😺☕☕
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Thank you, Steve! 😊
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Steve, thank you for sharing more of your photography. I recently updated my very old camera so I’m hoping to capture some images as I return to my outdoor walks as the winter weather allows. Blessings to you and Muffin in the coming year.
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Thank you so much Richard! Hope you enjoy your new camera and get many pics with it. God bless in the New Year!😊😺📷🥳
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The scenery is breathtaking. I may get a chance to take some wintery photos by the next weekend.looking like some snow coming in.I am so sorry about your brother Steve. And all the new living changes. But you sound so resilient and that is just so priceless. Happy you and Muffin are settled in to your new surroundings. I need to catch up here. 😊
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Hmm, no snow in our forecast yet, but that can change suddenly too with storms. Yep, lots of changes last year, some hard, some good, but it’s best to accept the changes and move on. Things work out much better that way. Muffin and I like our new apartment in the sky, even though we lost all our wild “friends”. Thanks for visiting Kim, have a great week!😊😺☕☕
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I like how you stated that. I’m so sorry you don’t have your critters now I know how much you enjoyed them. Thank you and you as well😊
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Yep, that’s what I miss the most are all those critters coming each day. I will just need something new for the new year.😊😺
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A tough and challenging year, 2023 has been. I wish a peaceful and happy new year to you and Muffin. 💙✨️
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Thank you so much! I hope you have many blessings in this new year!😊😺☕☕
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Thank you 😄
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