We got our tree today. It's a very nice tree, a nice isosceles triangle of a Fraser fir. It's filling the living room with a tangy pine scent and the angel is on top, but that's not what I want to write about this evening. After we got the tree situated in the old, recalcitrant tree stand, Joe and I went out for coffee and a sweet. We decided to try a newish coffee house... Read more →
I am now officially on vacation for the next two weeks!! Woo! I have not had a two-week long vacation in a long, long, long time. Now... do I sit on my ass or clean out the basement? Finish my novel or wrap gifts? Take a bunch of Mom's stuff to Goodwill or go see Slumdog Millionaire? My, the possibilities are endless. Tell you what, to kick off this long stretch of not working but... Read more →
Everyone has at least one of "those" relatives. You know, the relative that marries into the family, then proceeds to embarrass or amuse by getting hammered at every family gathering? Yeah, that relative. Some families have more than one, but most families have at least one. My Aunt Lil was married to my Pop's brother. I never knew my Uncle Ed, but I sort of knew Aunt Lil. She was definitely a party gal, but... Read more →
Joe and I threw caution to the winds tonight and went to a movie. We live fast and loose, we do, so we went to see Quantum of Solace, the new James Bond flick. I know it got mediocre reviews, but I quite enjoyed the movie. I figure as long as I willingly suspend -- actually, willingly completely ignore -- my disbelief and just go along for the ride I can have a pretty good... Read more →
I've written about this house and its outrageous holiday decorations before, but as I was driving by the other morning I noticed this sign in front of the manger. Baby Jesus may be the Prince of Peace, but he does not want you on his lawn. Read more →
I met a lot a characters on the circus back in the 70s, including the guy in the picture. I don't quite remember exactly where and when I met him, but I do remember exactly how he introduced himself to me. "I am Yan Sing, and I am a citizen of the world!" he announced grandly. Okay, I thought to myself, what you are, is a weirdo. Yan Sing was a gazoony, a roustabout, a... Read more →
Today we went to the big holiday party at Mom's assisted living home. It was quite the affair, with a piano player tickling the ivories and belting out jazzy versions of holiday tunes, and heaps of tasty hors d'oeuvres h'ors deurves orderves snacks. Mom lit into the grape tomatoes and dip like a kid lights into cookies. She must have eaten a dozen, plus fruit, cheese, and crackers. The wee quiches didn't interest her and... Read more →
Here's a confession: I am clumsy. It doesn't matter how much I weigh, or whether I'm drunk or sober, or whether I'm fit or flabby. I'm clumsy and I've always been clumsy. If I'm eating food, you can rest assured that I'll slob some of it down the front me. Even at my wedding, I managed to get a glob of bright red ham glaze on my lovely white wedding dress. I trip over invisible... Read more →
A good night's sleep -- mostly -- and a dose of Pepto-Bismol straightened me right out, so my stomach and I are feeling much better this afternoon. That's a good thing, because I'm off to the hockey game once again! It also puts me in a much better mood to compose a holiday love list for this cold Friday. I love many things about the end-of-year holidays: Hot apple cider on a cold day The... Read more →
It is pouring rain. It is dark; it has been dark all day. It is cold, but not yet cold enough to make the rain anything other than very cold, very annoying, and very depressing. On top of that, the commute home was awful. For some reason, cold rain ensures that cars will break down at random intervals and always in the lane I am in. Tonight there was one car broken down in the... Read more →