Bits and Pieces: January 2026

I've got a few topics that I could post about but none of them are really enough for a whole post of their own. It's clearly time for a Bits and Pieces post. 

• The photo above shows the Milford Bridge, where I usually cross the Delaware River when traveling to Pennsylvania. There was a light dusting of snow, along with the early stages of ice forming on the river. Around here, people call it “scab ice” (yuck!), though the proper term is anchor ice. Anchor ice typically forms in flowing water when supercooled, loosely packed bits of ice collide and stick together, eventually attaching to the riverbed. Over time, this creates a bottom layer of ice that may later break free and float to the surface. There’s much more to say about how ice forms in rivers, but that's probably quite enough for now.

• I get to go look for wedding dresses tomorrow! I haven't mentioned it here yet, but Jess and Justin got engaged this past fall. Their wedding is scheduled for October 24th and I think much of the planning (for the big stuff, anyway) is done. Justin had one request, that they not get married in a hotel, resort, or "fancy" wedding venue. They've chosen a place in the Poconos that is rustic and everything can be outside if the weather permits. Jess is looking at dresses on Saturday, and I'm kind of excited to go along. Her mother lives in Ohio so she won't be there, but Jess has also invited her maid of honor, one of the vets she works with, and John's youngest sister. I may end up just holding the phone in case Jess facetimes with her mom, but I think it will be a fun experience. The bridal salon website says to plan on two and a half hours and their dresses start at $3500. I chose my dress in 20 minutes after work and paid $200 in 1981, but things have certainly changed since then!  

• Thank goodness John is traveling to Florida later this month. He used to travel quite a bit when he was working and I got used to it. It's been an adjustment since he retired and my alone time is much harder to come by. He has a good friend (David) that lives in Orlando and is quite ill with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and hypertension. David just got a pacemaker and is on the list for a heart transplant, so John thought it would be a good idea to visit him. John does not do very well in cold weather (he tends to nap too much) and when his sister offered to go with him (she has friends there and they will go to Disney World), he agreed. I have four days to myself, no dinners to prepare, and I only have to take John and his sister to Trenton airport. That's much easier than driving to Newark, so I'm really looking forward to my mini-vacation. 

• I've been looking for small things that make me happy, and one of them is feeding the birds. Justin got me a small feeder that I have attached to the kitchen window and I love seeing the finches (and occasionally a cardinal or two) come to the feeder when I'm sitting at the kitchen table. I've started feeding them sunflower kernels which they seem to like best. A five pound bag lasts about five months and that is a small price to pay for multiple daily finch visits that always bring me joy.

• Another thing that has made me happy is spinach dip. I made some as an appetizer for Christmas lunch and we've gotten a bit addicted to it. I've made three batches of it since Christmas, but it may be time to stop. I can rationalize and say there is lots of spinach in it, but it's also got plenty of fat from cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. We ate some of it with French bread or crackers, but this last batch is being enjoyed with carrots and celery sticks. More vegetables!

That's it for my bits and pieces. Feel free to let me know any interesting things going on in your world, especially if they are making you happy and maybe even healthy. I'd love to replace my spinach dip obsession with something that's a bit better for me. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!