photo credit: @gaellemarcel via Unsplash
We’re definitely staying in today, because it’s still cold and foggy here in California, and we’re getting some rain (which will hopefully at least clear out the fog for good), and a hot beverage is definitely recommended this morning!
If we had a coffee chat today… I’d tell you that I had my annual physical recently. I always like to get this done before the end of the year. I saw a new doctor because my previous PCP left (the fun of having your PCP at a training hospital with lots of young residency doctors), but the new doctor was nice. She was very happy with me being on top of my shots (got Covid booster and flu shots in October), my preventive check-ups (all done for this year!), and she commented that I am taking great care of my health and was impressed that I still don’t take any medication at my age. My annual bloodwork came back normal, too. Well, if that isn’t something we’d all like to hear when another year comes to an end, then I don’t know what is.
If we had a coffee chat today… I would directly speak to my fellow peppermint-mocha enthusiasts and tell you that Costco currently has Häagen-Dazs Peppermint Bark Ice Cream Bars that are TO DIE FOR. Don’t walk, run!
If we had a coffee chat today… I’d tell you about a mystery present on my doorstep. I received a gift bag with a couple of sustainable items from a local “eco store”. The gift tag reads “special delivery for Sandra B.”, but I have NO CLUE who sent me this. I hope the person will come forward so I can thank them properly.
If we had a coffee chat today… I’d complain that we haven’t had a ray of sunshine in 3 weeks. We’re in California, for Peet’s sake. But our state, specifically the Central Valley, has been blanketed by a thick layer of tule fog and the temperature hasn’t risen above 46F/9C. My colleague and I were in the Central Valley for fieldwork last week and it was overcast and chilly the whole time!
I must admit though, the satellite image is pretty cool, look how the fog just sits in the Central Valley. Because the valley is bowl-shaped and surrounded by mountains, the air can’t escape, so the fog just sits and lingers.
If we had a coffee chat today… I’d share that I was devastated by the news in the last few days. Record-breaking flooding in the Pacific Northwest (with almost no news coverage), a mass shooting in Australia (of all places!), another shooting at a U.S. university, the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele (what a tragedy!), and the absolutely unhinged response from the (not-my-)president. Shameful. I don’t know what to say anymore. I am so over 2025.
If we had a coffee chat today… I’d let you know how excited I am to see the Secret SANta posts that some of you have shared already and the beautiful goodies you have received from a kind swap partner. My Secret SANta package has arrived too but I won’t be opening it before Christmas. I’ll share a round-up as soon as I know that everyone has received their packages! Thanks again for signing up and spreading some holiday cheer this year!
What would you share over coffee with me?
Nicole MacPherson
December 17, 2025 at 11:55 amI am basically never affected by celebrity deaths as a) I usually think the celebrity in question is already dead, or b) it sounds like they lived a good life. But the news about Rob and Singer Reiner is absolutely devastating to me. Reiner was the director of my all-time favourite movie, and from all accounts he was a wonderful man that everyone (MINUS ONE) loved. And then the news from the not-your-president was absolutely disgusting. Even for him, it’s a new low. And that’s saying something!
On a positive note, I love that your health is great, that you got a special bag of treats, and that you found some yummy ice cream. All lovely things!
NGS
December 17, 2025 at 12:12 pmOh, San. No sun for weeks?!?! I would be unable to function. Sending you some of our sun!
I have been LOVING how everyone uses Secret SANta with the correct capitalization. I’ve especially loved it when I’ve seen it in handwritten items because I know I also wrote it “correctly.” You are the all-powerful organizer and we will recognize that!