It's a New Year...

We've lived here now for 7 months. That doesn't sound like much time and yet they have been full months. Perhaps that whole "time is relative" concept includes an aspect of how "full" the time has been, how much one can insert into those wee minutes that make up the hours, days, and months. And here we are at the cusp of a new year and decade. (Sometimes thoughts start flowing before I am quite ready to engage with them. More decaf is needed.). Nevertheless, it has been "full"...

We are having a little rain after a dry spell for the past week. Temperatures are above freezing which is a boon. I slipped and fell on the ice this week. A reminder to be more mindful. Nothing damaged except for a skinned knee. I don't need studded tires. Just studded shoes.

We're off to a favorite local restaurant tonight for a New Year's evening out. The chef is having a special menu and there will be some music. I think we would try out our ballroom dance steps that we learned last year, but I can't picture space enough to dance. Probably just as well and safer for the other patrons, I think. It's not likely that we'll actually stay up to see in the New Year, but then you never know.It's a full moon (actually a "blue moon" - the second full moon in the month) and once the spirit takes you, well anything is possible, eh?

So, goodbye 2009 and all that has gone before and welcome 2010. To new days, new possibilities, new "time"...

Family & Friends, Faraway but Near...

Well, Christmas Day has come and gone but the spirit lives on. I could say that John and I were alone on Christmas Day, but that would not really be the truth. It is true that we did not have any of the brood here. Or any of our extended families. But that doesn't mean they weren't present. In fact, this may have been one of our more social of Christmases. The kids (though they aren't really kids anymore. Just "our" kids.) all phoned with Christmas tidings. And through the wonder of Skype, we visited with friends and family in Italy, England, Indiana, and Florida. We video-chatted for 3 hours! And had lots of fun doing it. How great it was to see/hear folks in real-time, sharing and laughing and just being "together". My 96-year old Grandmother had her first-ever Skype conversation and managed it quite well. What a treasure that was! She looks and sounds fabulous. Can a Facebook account be far behind?? It all went so well that we plan to do it again on New Year's Day.

We completed our day with dinner at a coworker's home. We enjoyed connecting with new people and are grateful for their generosity and friendship. It was a good day. Now, if I can just get those visions of sugarplums out of my head...

Welcome the Light

The winter solstice has come and gone. It was fitting that I drove to work and home again in the dark yesterday (7:30 and 4:30). The days will begin to lengthen now and I much prefer to be out and about in the light. Daughter Kate arrived on Saturday and will leave on Thursday so we celebrated Solstice with her instead of the traditional Christmas. Then the cat set her tail alight and the candles were deemed hazardous and extinguished!

As a newbie, I don't have the luxury (yet) of piles of vacation time standing by, so I am working every day this week up until Christmas Day. There's a lot to do, so it's not a bad idea. But I miss out on spending time with Kate. But it is very nice to have her around. That is a Christmas gift in itself.

Our weather has been varied since the very cold temperatures abated. It has rained a bit and today promises to be partly sunny with temperatures in the low 40s.No rain in sight for several days. John is home these two weeks and Zoe is happier for it. She has become used to having one of her "pack" at home during the day and when he is traveling she spends the days on her own. I am deemed to be less "fun" but valuable nonetheless for the kibble I supply. We all have our place.

Not much on the house front to report. The ground is not very workable. Still, John managed to plant a few new trees (saplings) in some temporary spots til Spring. The birds have finally discovered the food we put out and there is an assortment of chickadees, jays, robins, and flickers visiting now. The house is cozy when it's cold outside and if I can find a little time, I have a quilt ready to put together and stitch. But for now, it's enough to know that the light is returning. Happy Holidays to all...

Just a Tuesday Morning...

John is away and it's the Z-dog and me (not to discount the 2 felines, but they do their own thing regardless). It's decided to be a rainy week and the temperatures have risen above freezing. We now own a snow shovel in anticipation of the white stuff and my car is supplied with de-icer, a fancy scraper (with it's own brush!), a flashlight, and some stuff to help get me out of a place I could slide into (no plans to do this!). We'll look at tires soon too. But this week it's just rain.

I'll be off to work soon. The week usually flies by when John is away. I seem to find plenty to do. Gareth visited over the weekend. It was good to spend some time with him. Katie will arrive this weekend and stay until the 24th. The other two (Karen and Jacob) won't make it up until the new year. I envision a time when all of them will be here at the same time (perhaps with significant others) (perhaps with grandchildren) for a lively gathering. Not yet though.

So, it's off to Tuesday. Have a good one....

Baby, It's Cold Outside!!!

It's 18 degrees outside right now (6:45pm). No more snow, and thankfully too dry for ice. But it is chilly. We haven't put studded tires on the car yet, but it's under consideration. So far they have done a good job putting grit on the road when it's been icy, but there's nothing like studded tires to make it feel like you have a bit more control. Our "Alaska coats" which we got when we went to Alaska have been very useful. Still, if there were a way to put the seat warmer on prior to getting into the car, that would be lovely. Otherwise, the house is staying nice and cozy. And mind, this is not me complaining about the cold temperatures. I'm only acknowledging them. Having real weather is actually enjoyable. Keeps you from getting complacent...

First Snow

It snowed last night! Not so much that it's sticking although at the edges of the meadow/yard/jungle clearing there is a little bit hanging on. So, I guess winter is almost here. Fall seems to be passing the baton as I write. The temperatures have dropped this past week bringing ice to surfaces one walks on or drives. John walked out onto the porch Friday night and promptly landed on his backside when he hit the first step. I suppose we can attribute that to slippery conditions although yesterday, upon arriving home, I was advised that "oh yeah, I fell off the ladder" while putting the bird food up.Don't know what to attribute that to. And yes, he's all right.

The snow is timely as we put the tree up last evening. It's nice to bring the familiar into a new place. And the tree is a place where memories are stored year after year. The ornaments which hang on it represent a place or a time or a person. And the ritual of putting them on the tree allows time to recall and reflect on those memories. That's what I do when I "decorate" the tree. I smile a lot...

A little magic...

The moon is full and bright and there's not a cloud in the sky. When I open the door to let the dog out, you can smell a wood fire burning somewhere. The air is crisp and refreshing. And the only sound I hear is the sound of cars on the road. I like this.

John is away this week and work is filling my days. It gets dark just after 4:30 when I leave there. So, evenings are cozy and tucked in. Tonight I will work on Christmas cards, I think. And I will get presents wrapped and ready to mail away. I'll be away on Saturday to present a class to the hospital chaplains during their retreat, but Sunday I will put the Christmas tree up. I am a big fan of the colors and decorations of the Christmas season. It's kind of magical...