Friday, December 31, 2021
Sunday, December 26, 2021
post-jolly
A couple of Boxing Day visits, but Nu felt a bit stretched thin, so we canceled another visit and headed home to cuddle up with puppies and veg in pajamas.
I'm calling this Christmas a success. There was a moment on Christmas Eve, when the kids were poking holes in the books (On Tyranny Graphic Edition) I meant to send them to bed with, when I panicked hard about what to do if they didn't like any gifts the next day. But things were Hallmark-perfect on Christmas; all is well.
As I shared with people at Zoom UU this morning, Christmas with an adult child is an evolving celebration. I've been taking notes on how other people are navigating change, and my favorite one is where people go off to some place sunny--I can see that being Big A and me someday.
Right now though, I'm off to watch the last ever ep of Insecure, which I've been hoarding as my secret Boxing Day treat.
Saturday, December 25, 2021
Friday, December 24, 2021
the night before
Dinner was later than our usual time because At was delayed at work, but we got in some new pajamas and books to read in bed before goodnights.
No candlelight service this year, not even a luminaria drive, but hey--Nu and At and Scout and Huck have matching togs! I'll try to get a picture of all four tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
stable
Big A is back; my back feels better; got cards and presents in the mail; a few visits (and presents); did our third session of family therapy; ordered in pizza; read together; watched Bob's Burgers (with Nu) and Station Eleven (after Nu went to bed); got my aunt's hopes up about a visit home; celebrated the end of the Kelloggs' strike...
A long day... the longest day of the year... and it was cozy and a nice balance of Christmas with other good things.
Pic: multiculti altar w/ nativity scene
Monday, December 20, 2021
"O Christmas Tree"
But our old tree wasn't working for me... or working really--many of the lights were out and it was small and tippy. So Nu--my hero today--set up this tall, skinny tree and helped me decorate it.
It'll be such a surprise for Big A and At! We've left the personal ornaments out for people to put on themselves. And that may have to be a Christmas Eve thing. Maybe do this post-Thanksgiving in the years to come?
Saturday, December 18, 2021
in sight
in afternoon sun
but not the tree-line
like t e e t h
they can reach
we cannot yet speak of
Friday, December 17, 2021
cake chart
A celebratory dinner for my friend AI's successful phd defense. On the table: A big dish of biriyani and sides.
I was so proud of the (store-bought) cake, which said "Congratulations, Dr. I." Obviously, I gave AI the "Dr." part... At got the "Atul" part, Nu got the "Con" part (which they thought it was hilarious because they'd been a sneaky con artist recently).
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
friends,
they'll just... catch your heart
you'll watch them take it
becoming... tender accounts
starry with sentinels
and yes, shining
Monday, December 13, 2021
next time
me memories
Saturday, December 11, 2021
a sad story without pictures
Not pictured: me at 1:15 when Nu and Big A decided it was too cold to walk and that we should turn around and take the car instead.
Also not pictured: me at 1:20 when we collectively realized that the reason we hadn't had power since 11 am or thereabouts was because there was a downed wire across our street. Also realizing this made it impassable for us to get to the Wharton.
Also not pictured: me at 1:25 begging Nu and Big A to walk to the show through the church grounds.
Also not pictured: me at 1:30 begging them to let me go to the show by myself at least.
Also not pictured: L and T trying to help me find my way--blocked at every turn by police and utility vehicles (if not by downed wires).
Also not pictured: me at 1:53 giving up.
Friday, December 10, 2021
"It's beginning to look a lot like..."
The first holiday cards of the season have started to arrive. I guess it's time to put away the cards I've had on display from last year now?
But seriously, it was lovely having this display up by the family altar all this last year... cards would randomly slip out of place and give me the pleasure of retrieving and reading them all over again.
Not exaggerating when I say they helped to keep me going in 2021.
Thursday, December 09, 2021
newsy
In other news, I took great pleasure in letting fam and friends know that a Trader Joe's is coming to town--about 2-3 mins away from us. I foresee Big A biking over there for last minute groceries instead of Whole Foods.
And in other gentrification news, I'm watching with horror--via friends and FB--the intersecting mesh mess of schadenfreude, transphobia, and anti-blackness in the latest Dave Chappelle vs. Yellow Springs clash.
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Pic: We're all looking at Big A.
Wednesday, December 08, 2021
home for the holidays
We don't have our tree up yet (we're waiting on At), but it looks like a winter wonderland outside.
(I'm not even mad that I slipped on the ice and seem to have hurt my butt.)
Wednesday, December 01, 2021
"one is a lonely number"
But I'm not gonna lie--the day was glorious. It's been SO LONG since I had the house to myself and though it was mostly grading and work and meetings and LORs, it felt luxurious.
It's in the details and small tweaks to the day... like planning to have lox for dinner with Nu. Somehow it's Big A with his Jewish heritage who can't stand lox, while Nu and I LOVE it.
Speaking of my human kids--it's difficult parenting one at a time. Kind of lonely, actually. I had eight years with At before Nu came along, and now that At is 22 and in his own place, I get these years to focus fully on Nu. I keep telling myself this, but both Nu and I miss At and I don't think Nu likes being the sole focus. Ha.
At least the puppy kids are accommodating and making pillow forts forever.
Thursday, November 25, 2021
Thanksgiving 2021
Saturday, November 20, 2021
tradeoff
I missed an important deadline and the candlesticks I'd planned to use for the Thanksgiving table broke, but I spent a lot of time snuggled up like this...
(Scout can't jump up onto the sofa as he once could, but Big A picks him up and places him on my feet.)
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
the soft dark
Darkness feels deafening tonight. A student at Nu's school has been missing since last week. I do not know this young person or their family, but many of my local friends do. When I asked Nu if they'd seen the missing child recently, they said that they hadn't "in years." That was such a stark reminder that disappearance comes in many forms.
I caught a picture of this close to full moon through our skylights just before bed--darkness, shadows, dead leaves, and all... it was nevertheless a kind reminder that in an another part of the world, huge numbers of my family are gathering to celebrate the Karthika full moon soon.
Monday, November 15, 2021
full
His tummy is full; my heart is full.
mountain peak and a domestic peek
Another early morning hike. The peak was approx 2500 feet above sea level, with the last couple of turns like corkscrews. I caught sight of ...
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Friends and old neighbors shutting it down in honor of John Crawford. _
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I have the feeling that I’m going to succumb to the season and put out a list of resolutions soon. Just wanted to establish this heads up th...
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At had us pose for this pic up at Aunt R's place on Lake Huron so he could put it up in his dorm. "Don't tur...