There have been a number of friends here on Ipernity who have asked whether we are okay since I've not been on Ipernity much for well over a month. I've reposted this old photo by way of letting you all know that we are okay, just a bit overwhelmed with all that's happening in our lives. Apologies, too, to those whose photos and comments I've missed.

Around the time I stopped posting I started a remodeling project, a basement bathroom and am still working on that. This has involved putting in new cabinets, flooring, trim, plumbing lights, shower, etc., and it has been slow work since I have had to learn as I go and have had to deal with a lot of interruptions and frustrations. Many things have turned into twice as much work as I expected.

The remodeling project, however, is not the main reason for my absence. My parents, who are 90 and 89 and live in a retirement home, have required a great deal more attention recently, especially my mother, whose dementia has gotten worse to the point my father is unable to take care of her. They live in Michigan and that has made things much more difficult.

I and a brother have had to take responsibility for their finances, their health care and are now trying to find a better place for my mother. This has involved a great deal of paperwork and many phone calls - I was on the phone three times already this morning and am waiting for a phone call now. I simply have not had the time or energy to be on Ipernity as a result.

The photo is of Lynden, Washington, the town in which we lived before my retirement and was taken on one of our daily walks. I've posted it because we are in Lynden since Saturday and will be here until New Year's Day. We are visiting family here and celebrating the holidays. The original caption for this photo, taken nine years ago, follows.

Weary of flowers, thought I'd post a picture taken just north of the town where we live, a picture taken last February as the the sun was setting. It was taken, however, toward the northeast, catching the light of the setting sun on the storm clouds gathering in that direction. As is usually the case with a northeaster, we had snow and bad weather out of this if I remember correctly.