Gnome Sweet Gnome

Happy New Year!

Snow Bound

Due to the "severe weather" we have postponed our trip to see friends and family in California. Disappointing but we are making the most of being indoors and cozy. Having trouble getting on to Facebook, but still have Internet access so can post here and watch Hulu.com. Watching one of my favourite television episodes - NewsRadio "Smoking". We have TV as well, and movies and music and games. And lights and heat and lots o' food. And the best company - J, I, Z, C, Q, M and unnamed fish.
Hope you're enjoying the winter wonderland wherever you are.

O Tannenbaum

If you live around here then you know the word of the day is "ice". We had a lovely snow on Saturday, a nice complement to the Nutcracker performance. But today it's mostly ice - on the streets, sidewalks, parking lots. I feel fortunate to have driven through town without incident.
Jimi and George came from eastern Washington to see Ivey in the ballet. We went out for a delish meal, watched the Nutcracker, enjoyed a nice chat by the tree at J's (see the photo) and finished off the visit with breakfast out Sunday morning.
J and I finally had time alone but it didn't last nearly long enough. That is a wonderful part of our requited love; we both want to be together - we like each other so.
Vacation is right around the corner, but honestly I'm not looking forward to the drive to California. I'll pull a Scarlett O'Hara and think about that tomorrow. Tonight it's laundry and wrapping gifts and watching Heroes on Hulu.com.
Huge pile of clean laundry between me and a good night's sleep in my bed. Hey! There's a dog snuggled in the warm laundry!

Waltz of the Snowflakes

Good morning! It is such a good morning - even though I hear it is windy and pouring rain outside. In my windowless cubicle I am oblivious to the weather, except for the variation in building temperature. It's Nutcracker weekend here and my beautiful daughter is dancing as one of the Snowflakes and in a pas-de-trois of Dance of the Reed Flutes.

J's dad and step-mom are planning to come watch, but may be prevented by the weather since they have to travel over a mountain pass to get here. J and I are continuing to plan our trip to California and get ready for Christmas. I've finished my two week stint of overtime at work and am looking forward to being home (mine or J's) for a few days).
This bit of Christmas cheered me this morning. Take a listen; it's the music more than the video that I like, but both might make you smile too.
Have a lovely day!

A Foggy Day in London Town

Photo by Frederic Larson - Chronicle

Foghorn woke me. Fog thick as sea poop.
It is the first day of a new calendar month; one month left of 2008.
What a year it has been. I started out harbouring a scalded heart and now I have a love as beautiful and reassuring as a winter sunrise.
The fog horn reminds me of home. I have often said I prefer to live by the water; there are so many sensual aspects of it. A fog horn conjures up thoughts of caution and mystery and danger. I see the light house in "Captain January", the dark streets of Sherlock Holmes' London, the terrifying 'Mist' of Stephen King. I remember foggy Christmas mornings in Berkeley, when I was still young enough to think Christmas was fun. I pray for the boats out there, for the fishers and ferry crews working on the water.
My love is driving the streets, being the trained observer, looking out like the reassuring beam of a light house.
Back to sleep, with a fog horn lullaby.