Celebrating the winter solstice and a few other things

I awoke to a snowstorm on the morning of the winter solstice. Swell.

George, Alan and Lucy were as disbelieving as I that another round of shoveling and breaking ice had begun.

Hank didn't care. Hank loves the snow.

Happy birthday, Hank! 

Hank turned 20 yesterday. He was born some day in 1993, but we celebrate it on December 21

because that's the day I brought him into my life. It also happens to be my birthday, 

so it's an easy date to remember when you get to be my age.

I celebrated with a Breaking Bad breakfast, then Smooch and I watched Breaking Bad repeats

while waiting for the snow to quit so we could go for a walk. It didn't. Bummer.

Then around 2:00 I checked emails and saw this one from everybody's favorite ranchsitter:

Please go into the guest room.
When you are standing at the door, turn to your right.
Walk three and one half paces.
Turn to your right so you are facing the closet.
Slide the left-hand door to the right.
Look up.
You will see a white bag on the upper shelf, filled with old portraits.
Pull this bag down and place it on the bed behind you.
Turn back to the closet.
Look up again.
You should now see a second, more festively decorated bag.
Pull this one down, as well. 
I don't think it has your name on it, but I'm certain it is for you.
Please open the small, token items inside at your leisure. :-)

Smooch: I don't detect a bomb or drugs, but I'd still be careful if I were you.

Who but Danni would leave a birthday card with six water-skiing chickens wearing gold lamé bathing suits?
Smooch, what in the heck are you doing back there?

The bag was filled with presents wrapped in smiling-dog paper. Smooch wasn't impressed, but I sure was.

I had so much fun unwrapping each treasure...

...like these critter-shaped chocolate truffles...

...and bird-seed treats for our feathered friends...

...and a kick-ass blue bottle of champagne for me! Getting older may not be so bad after all.