(At least two) Baby Owls
The owlets have hatched. I can confirm that there are at least two (possibly three) baby owls outside my office window now. It happened over the weekend because there was no sign of them on Thursday a week ago and then they were there when I returned from the (long MLK Jr) weekend. To be honest, they’re kinda ugly when they first hatch, but they’ll get cuter when the fluffy feathers come in. (I’ll share a picture when I can.)
Snow Envy
I feel like I am one of the few people not complaining about snow right now. Lots of friends seemed to be contending with much cooler temperatures than we are here in California (except for people in Florida (Hi Jenny, hi Stephany!) or in Australia, where it is summer (hi Melissa)). It’s been cool (and foggy!) here again, but not freezing. I am thankful I don’t have to deal with snowy roads daily, but I also feel like January would feel more “complete” with a bit of snow in my life (if you know what I mean).
On a somber note, have you heard about all the avalanche incidents in the Alps this season so far? Very sketchy conditions this year. I blame climate change. Oh wait, am I allowed to say that out loud? Be careful out there.
The F**ing News
In the news, things remain heavy. tR*mp is making a fool of himself overseas (what else is new?), the DOJ is a month late on releasing the Epst*in Files (but who’s counting?), and ICE continues to terrorize Minnesota’s residents. This week, they detained a 5-year-old! How in the world do these men sleep at night? How do they reconcile what they’re doing in their minds? They don’t have to drag people in the street in their underwear. They don’t have to beat and humiliate people. They don’t have to get aggressive with bystanders who question their authority. And why are they hiding their faces anyway, if this is all oh-so-legal? You know, there is another way for legal and mostly non-violent immigration law enforcement. This is not it.
Have you heard of Leigh McGowan? She’s known as PoliticsGirl, has a podcast and a huge Instagram following, and has appeared repeatedly on the news lately, because she’s not afraid to call out other commentators (mostly men) on their bullshit. We really need more loud (female) voices like hers.
Good Vibes please
It’s been almost a year (ok, almost 11 months) since my niece had symptoms of hemiparesis during soccer practice, and it’s frustrating to share that they have still not been able to find the cause. It was not related to an accident or acute injury. She’s had a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) initially, blood tests, an MRI, and nothing came back conclusive, other than they suspect some sort of infection and a possibly leaky blood-brain barrier (BBB). If you’re not familiar with the blood-brain barrier (I wasn’t), it’s a highly selective semipermeable border that regulates the transfer of solutes and chemicals between the bloodstream and the brain, thus protecting the brain from harmful substances, germs, and other things that could cause damage. If the filter is damaged, bacteria (and the like) can get into the brain and cause havoc (resulting in things like hemiparesis, but it’s not confirmed in my niece’s case).
The good thing is, she’s worked on her blood work over the last few months and has been seeing an osteopath and physical therapist as well. She’s doing much better. The hemiparesis (weakness, not complete paralysis) is mostly gone, although she’s still experiencing bouts of fatigue and headaches. Her neurologist suggested another spinal tap, which she had done at the beginning of January, to check if the inflammatory markers in her spinal fluid had disappeared (or at least gone down). She’ll get the results on Monday, so any good vibes that you can spare would be much appreciated.
Books
First, we were all excited to be reading SHU‘s “Best Laid Plans” book in December (and we all started this year off really organized and prepared, amrite?), and now we’re adding another published author to our cool blogging community. Nicole‘s book “Inhale, Exhale” is out. So amazing! This year will be off to such a good reading start for me, you guys. I can feel it!
Speaking of reading, Engie is hosting another round of the Cool Bloggers Book Club (CBBC) and I am determined to read and participate this time. We’ll be reading The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. I have already secured the book through Libby at my local library, and “discussions” will start in February. I can do this.
Melissa
January 24, 2026 at 2:02 amIt was high 30’s (C) today which is much better than the forecast for a lot of the US. I don’t think I’d like living somewhere where it snowed in winter. All the disruption and the cold is not for me but I love visiting places with snow.
The news is insane. The latest remarks about allied soldiers in Afghanistan have not gone down well here. So insulting!
I hope your niece gets good news from the latest tests.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
January 24, 2026 at 3:56 amI cannot bear the news these days. I keep saying it and I cannot understand how it gets darker each week.
I am hoping you can snatch a baby owl picture for us. I wouldn’t get any work done.
I have not read any of our blogger community books. Argh. Not sure if I can get a copy. I have t check.
Lisa’s Yarns
January 24, 2026 at 4:53 amInstead of the snow we are getting epically cold temps. I would rather have a dumping of snow! It’s so miserable here right now. Next weekend it will be around 30F and I can’t wait!! We do have a good amount of snow on the ground, though, which I prefer. I don’t like brown winters!
The news is so bleak. I feel a sense of dread. But Minnesotans (well, not all of us…) are fighting back against this nonsense. The stories, like the detaining of a 5yo show how unchecked this group is and how heartless they are. Of course the administration is lying about what happened. There was a school official that had papers that gave them guardianship and the ICE agents refused to let them take the child (schools have been encouraging immigrant parents to have guardianship assignment documents in place for this very reason). It’s just awful.
I’m sending all the good vibes to your niece. That sounds so scary!!
SHU
January 24, 2026 at 5:04 amI feel weirdly guilty about our lovely weather (i’m just south of Jenny!). Do you listen to Pantsuit Politics? It has been a really comforting listen for me and I think you might like it as well.
I ordered Nicole’s book yesterday and am so excited to read it!!
Sara
January 24, 2026 at 6:58 amSitting here on a quiet somewhat icy Saturday morning. I wish we were getting snow and not ice, but glad that we haven’t lost power yet. (I heard a transform blow this morning, so I know some of my neighbors are not as fortunate!)
I can’t even talk about how the brutal use of unnecessary force without getting really emotions. I don’t understand how there isn’t more outrage, and I can’t understand why people think this okay. I can’t understand why our leaders aren’t being outspoken, why our media isn’t alarmed, and why we are still pretending like this is okay, normal, or even tolerable. It’s like I’m living in an alternate reality or simulation most of the time. I saw some of our state leaders trying to convince us that the “learning center” is just so nice and beautiful and comfortable… yep, that’s what the Red Cross got hoodwinked by with Terezin, too. However, people are dying, and that should be investigated rather than allowing a PR tour of what they want you to see. Meanwhile, our flagship state university is removing history from the core course requirements, undoubtedly due to the pressure exerted by our state government, so no one will know to make these comparisons in the future because we’re intentionally creating an education that can be devoid of any understanding of the past.
/endrant.
Anya
January 24, 2026 at 8:36 amI’m having snow envy too and I’m in Colorado. It’s been a very dry, warm winter for us, so I’m welcoming the bit of Arctic cold we have this weekend, although I can’t believe states at lower elevations and latitudes are getting more snow than we are as I type.
As for immigration/ICE, I’m staying away and staying out of it. My place of birth is Ukraine. The US is my home and I’m not doing anything to jeopardize my naturalized status. Call me a coward, but that’s my family’s MO. Half of them fled the Nazis, half fled the Turks. My family and I fled the imminent post-Soviet collapse. I fled Texas 8 years ago. I love where I live now and certainly want to avoid fleeing if I can.
Michelle G.
January 24, 2026 at 9:50 amI’m sending bunches of good thoughts for your niece. The news is horrifying and shameful, and so sad. I’m very thankful for books and baby owls.
Ernie
January 24, 2026 at 1:19 pmGoodness I hope the niece situation becomes clear. This has been a long ordeal. Yeah for baby owl sightings. My nerves are still recover from a snowy drive home from visiting Mini at ND yesterday. You do not want snow.
J
January 24, 2026 at 7:21 pmThe news is so horrible, I don’t even know what to do about it. I go to protests most Saturdays, which makes me feel better. Sometimes I write to politicians, but not as much as I should. Mostly I stress out and grind my teeth and hope there is still a democracy here at the end of all of this.
The news from Minnesota is so horrible, including today’s murder, but I’m finding hope in the people there that are speaking out. Terrifying.
Baby owls may save our sanity, share pictures when you can.
Sam
January 24, 2026 at 8:21 pmI’m holding your niece in my thoughts–how stressful and scary that so many months later there is still no clear answer.
As far as Minnesota, there are no good words, especially after Alex Pretti was murdered today. I will have to check out Politics Girl. Generally, I listen to Pantsuit Politics and Ezra Klein and find that both offer helpful perspectives.
Elisabeth
January 25, 2026 at 1:21 amThe global situation is dire and I cannot shake the feeling of heaviness that has settled over everything.
It is currently -25C outside and we’re set to get a giant dumping of snow (which likely means at least two more snow days for the kids). I am really minding winter this year. I think maybe because it’s coupled with so much global tension and on the heels of a pretty hard 2025 for so many people I love and care about. I love spotting Happy Things and it is such a valuable practice for me. But, let’s call a spade a spade: the world is feeling very bleak right now.
Like J said, baby owls to the rescue!
NGS
January 25, 2026 at 1:44 pmI can’t even with the news right now. Minneapolis residents are putting on a show of how collective action works, but I fear that the city will never be the same.
Hey, if you want some snow or below zero temperatures, you’re welcome to come visit me in southeastern Wisconsin whenever you want!
coco
January 26, 2026 at 12:36 amso sorry to hear about your niece, it must be so frustrating and scary for the family!
I am about to finish Nicole’s book, read it in 36 hrs, soooo good.
Suzanne
January 26, 2026 at 10:19 amThe news is unbearable. But: OWLETS!!!!! That is exactly the kind of pleasing news I need.
Thinking of your niece — what a frustrating health issue.
Stephany
January 28, 2026 at 5:39 pmI had to delete Instagram from my phone last weekend because I just keep doomscrolling, and it’s putting me in such a dark place. It’s been good to not have the constant noise, but the news continues to be horrifying. I am feeling really hopeless.
Here’s what’s wild: there is a chance (the smallest chance!) that my area will get snow flurries this weekend! It probably won’t happen, but it is going to get coooold – a high of 44 on Sunday!
Daria
January 29, 2026 at 8:50 amHi friend, thanks for the update.
I’ve been staying off the news it’s depressing as all hell. Despicable goons terrorizing people.
Snow. We got a snow storm on Sunday and Monday so a snow day for us.
As I type this I’m home with a head cold. But also some stomach issues? Cramps, but not pre-period. Strange and concerning. I wonder if it’s all the anxiety coming out for me…
Reading. I’m reading a book by Dolly Alderton, called “Good Material” about a comedian who goes through a breakup. It’s funny, sad, and warm at the same time. Kind of exactly what I need at the moment.
I have not exercised at all this week. Monday , everything was closed, Tuesday I had to bring Rainn to BJJ, Wednesday Lyra had piano. And today I’m sick :/
Gah.