A Free Thread for an early January day ... but how do you “Winter”?
January 8, 2024 2:25 AM Subscribe
In Wintering, Katherine May wrote “In winter, we are invited into a particular mode of sleep: not a regimented eight hours, but a slow, ambulatory process in which waking thoughts merge with dreams, and space is made in the blackest hours to repair the fragmented narratives of our days.” But how do you 'Winter', either seasonal or metaphorical? (applicable to MeFites in either hemisphere) Attitude? Meditation? Sleep and sun? Vitamin D? Noting “After Christmas, every day is getting longer. We’re in the second half of winter and soon enough it will start to get lighter and warmer”? Or write anything as this is your free thread.
I just faced down 4 little neighbourhood boys armed with Nerf guns and doubt in their eyes after my husband told them I'm a werewolf.
They quickly decided I'm a "nice wolf" and spared me, despite the fact that their guns were (kamma-kamma) loaded with silver bullets.
(kamma-kamma means "pretend" or "fake" )
posted by Zumbador at 2:50 AM on January 8 [14 favorites]
They quickly decided I'm a "nice wolf" and spared me, despite the fact that their guns were (kamma-kamma) loaded with silver bullets.
(kamma-kamma means "pretend" or "fake" )
posted by Zumbador at 2:50 AM on January 8 [14 favorites]
Sleep mostly. Lots of movies. Seek out moments in the sun when I can.
Covid hit our house again. I knew this was a risk with international travel. Spouse and I are both down. Kiddo is OK. I have continued my streak of never testing positive on the rapid test. I have to move multiple appointments this morning and return to work. I’m thankful that 1. I can work from home and 2. I can do the bare minimum for a couple of days while I recover.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 3:23 AM on January 8 [6 favorites]
Covid hit our house again. I knew this was a risk with international travel. Spouse and I are both down. Kiddo is OK. I have continued my streak of never testing positive on the rapid test. I have to move multiple appointments this morning and return to work. I’m thankful that 1. I can work from home and 2. I can do the bare minimum for a couple of days while I recover.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 3:23 AM on January 8 [6 favorites]
Winter is far far away for those of us in the antipodes. I can't remember when it last rained; certainly not this year, and not in the 2 weeks before Christmas. It's flooding in other parts of the country though.
Since this is a free thread and not an AskMe, I will answer the question of how do I summer? The answer is: by working in the office even though I don't have to, in order to take advantage of free airconditioning. And milk. Not tea though; the tea that's supplied is not worthy of the name.
posted by pianissimo at 3:28 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Since this is a free thread and not an AskMe, I will answer the question of how do I summer? The answer is: by working in the office even though I don't have to, in order to take advantage of free airconditioning. And milk. Not tea though; the tea that's supplied is not worthy of the name.
posted by pianissimo at 3:28 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Due to earth's elliptical orbit the days are getting marginally longer after the solstice, but actually sunrise continues to get later until about Jan 11.
I generally try to keep active through the winter but have recently taken a three week break from running due to a previously planned hiatus coupled with a nasty cold. I've kept riding my bike to work, but on the coldest days I drive. As I age I've begun valuing my comfort more than trying to be some idealized version of myself. I'm getting soft, younger me would say.
posted by Literaryhero at 3:38 AM on January 8 [7 favorites]
I generally try to keep active through the winter but have recently taken a three week break from running due to a previously planned hiatus coupled with a nasty cold. I've kept riding my bike to work, but on the coldest days I drive. As I age I've begun valuing my comfort more than trying to be some idealized version of myself. I'm getting soft, younger me would say.
posted by Literaryhero at 3:38 AM on January 8 [7 favorites]
One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;
And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter
Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,
Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place
For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.
The Snow Man - Wallace Stevens
posted by Glomar response at 3:40 AM on January 8 [18 favorites]
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;
And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter
Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,
Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place
For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.
The Snow Man - Wallace Stevens
posted by Glomar response at 3:40 AM on January 8 [18 favorites]
As a native Southerner, I've never liked the Canadian winters, but the lack of snow for December and until yesterday, January, left me feeling shiftless. The snow reminds me that the seasons are changing, that there is a rhythm to these things for nature and people, and when it was too mild and overcast and dry, I didn't realize how much I missed it despite my dislike. Canada is a winter country. When the signals of the season aren't there and will likely peter out as climate change continues? Well, I find that more depressing than my dislike.
posted by Kitteh at 4:27 AM on January 8 [14 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 4:27 AM on January 8 [14 favorites]
Kitteh, we're feeling that ache of wrongness too down here in Wisconsin. Hopefully looking at a couple inches of snow tomorrow, though, which feels good. (Easy for me to say, with my commute of roughly 20 feet!)
I need sleep to moderate my mood, but I can't always have it, unfortunately, so exercise is the next best thing. Being outdoors helps my mood too, but I'm struggling to think of what fun things there are to do (and invite others to) outside in the winter for those times when there's not real snow or ice. We had a family walk rained out in December, which was the stupidest thing.
Fuzzy stuff helps too. This is the only season in which I can reasonably use that high-octane weighted blanket I got for Christmas last year.
Mr. eirias' self-medication during this season: the Jung seed catalog. This spring we kinda gotta rebuild the garden boxes before we plant anything, though.
posted by eirias at 4:38 AM on January 8 [1 favorite]
I need sleep to moderate my mood, but I can't always have it, unfortunately, so exercise is the next best thing. Being outdoors helps my mood too, but I'm struggling to think of what fun things there are to do (and invite others to) outside in the winter for those times when there's not real snow or ice. We had a family walk rained out in December, which was the stupidest thing.
Fuzzy stuff helps too. This is the only season in which I can reasonably use that high-octane weighted blanket I got for Christmas last year.
Mr. eirias' self-medication during this season: the Jung seed catalog. This spring we kinda gotta rebuild the garden boxes before we plant anything, though.
posted by eirias at 4:38 AM on January 8 [1 favorite]
"Wintering" was the first book I was able to read through when I was going through the roughest time in my life (to date). If you're in a sorry state and or generally going through it, this book will be a very gentle and kind companion for you.
The sweltering south was my home for the first quarter century of my life. Then I did a tour through coastal California, south to north, for the following 15. I've been in the UK for the last 3, almost to the day. I haven't so much left behind warmth on this journey. If anything, I've left behind variation: hot, hellish, humid heat in summer and cracking, freezing cold in winter gave way to increasing coastal temperance of highs and lows to the point that the UK's climate feels like a permanently mild oscillation between spring and fall. The real change in these years has been the wild swing from dramatic climate to dramatic cycles of day and night. I wonder if I may have found the northernmost limit to my body's ability to bend its physiological urges to a global economy's work schedule. How on earth people manage to live here and further toward the poles while also dividing days into 8 work / 8 sleep / 8 for play is testament to a very great resilience. I have adapted to it enough to get up in the morning and go for my morning run hours before sunrise and to stay awake for at least a couple hours after dinner. But my word I have not adapted to it in a way that leaves me time or interest in being perkily social. I'm not drinking these days, and that might have something to do with the missing piece of this particular puzzle. I go round the pub for a fireside virgin dark & stormy and even after one I feel like I'm engaged in a charade that's just as valuable as getting back under the blanket on the couch with my book but ten times harder to muster.
I'm wintering!
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 4:54 AM on January 8 [7 favorites]
The sweltering south was my home for the first quarter century of my life. Then I did a tour through coastal California, south to north, for the following 15. I've been in the UK for the last 3, almost to the day. I haven't so much left behind warmth on this journey. If anything, I've left behind variation: hot, hellish, humid heat in summer and cracking, freezing cold in winter gave way to increasing coastal temperance of highs and lows to the point that the UK's climate feels like a permanently mild oscillation between spring and fall. The real change in these years has been the wild swing from dramatic climate to dramatic cycles of day and night. I wonder if I may have found the northernmost limit to my body's ability to bend its physiological urges to a global economy's work schedule. How on earth people manage to live here and further toward the poles while also dividing days into 8 work / 8 sleep / 8 for play is testament to a very great resilience. I have adapted to it enough to get up in the morning and go for my morning run hours before sunrise and to stay awake for at least a couple hours after dinner. But my word I have not adapted to it in a way that leaves me time or interest in being perkily social. I'm not drinking these days, and that might have something to do with the missing piece of this particular puzzle. I go round the pub for a fireside virgin dark & stormy and even after one I feel like I'm engaged in a charade that's just as valuable as getting back under the blanket on the couch with my book but ten times harder to muster.
I'm wintering!
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 4:54 AM on January 8 [7 favorites]
Following up from last week when I wrote about being in the hospital with massive kidney failure, I'm happy to update everyone and say that I'm resting at home now after 11 days in the hospital and working from home at least part time. My kidneys are healthy again and back to normal functionality. I'm on nightly IV fluid infusions for a while to keep my levels stable, but on the whole things are looking up. Thanks to everyone who showed support while I was in the hospital. I really appreciate it!
posted by Servo5678 at 4:57 AM on January 8 [58 favorites]
posted by Servo5678 at 4:57 AM on January 8 [58 favorites]
Sleep with the air conditioner on -- Puerto Rico.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 5:05 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 5:05 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
It was nice to walk yesterday in Toronto with the snow and ice and slush for the first time this winter. I'll hate it soon enough but the marker of the year turning over is lovely..
We are refreshing the humane society's cat adoption pages to find new family member(s). Vash's death has left a huge hole in our household and while his brother Spike is still catting with all his being, he is alone among furry cohabitants, and there must be at least two for all needs to be met, especially the needs of furry companions to romp and play and disagree and cuddle at all hours, not just when the skinjobs are paying attention.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:11 AM on January 8 [15 favorites]
We are refreshing the humane society's cat adoption pages to find new family member(s). Vash's death has left a huge hole in our household and while his brother Spike is still catting with all his being, he is alone among furry cohabitants, and there must be at least two for all needs to be met, especially the needs of furry companions to romp and play and disagree and cuddle at all hours, not just when the skinjobs are paying attention.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:11 AM on January 8 [15 favorites]
Cooking is something I do a lot. Like yesterday - made a chocolate-banana cake and some peanut butter and chocolate chip scones, and pre-cooked a couple things for bento making and quick Japanese meals. Finished up by cooking up the rest of a pound of black-eyed peas and using most of them to make this Ghanian stew with the BEPs, peanut butter, tomato and sweet potato; between the leftovers from that and the Japanese stuff, I have about 4 days' worth of meals sorted.
Today is a mid-day dentist appointment, and then all day tomorrow is my big tech Hell Day (12 hours at the theater) - and then Wednesday is another dentist appointment before I head BACK to the theater for another rehearsal just prior to our final dress. Then we open on Thursday, and run full-tilt until the 27th or so.
I'm hoping for some good news on another front at some point over the next 2 weeks as well.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:33 AM on January 8 [8 favorites]
Today is a mid-day dentist appointment, and then all day tomorrow is my big tech Hell Day (12 hours at the theater) - and then Wednesday is another dentist appointment before I head BACK to the theater for another rehearsal just prior to our final dress. Then we open on Thursday, and run full-tilt until the 27th or so.
I'm hoping for some good news on another front at some point over the next 2 weeks as well.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:33 AM on January 8 [8 favorites]
We’ve been fostering six kittens (two litters of three) since late October, and two of them were claimed over the weekend! They haven’t gone to the new homes yet, we just had Zoom meetings with the prospective new owners as a final acceptance step, but both were accepted.
I slept down in the kitten room to get one last night in with the full crowd. Suffering a bit for it this morning. Still worth it! Although I had to give up at around 3am to come back upstairs and finish the night in my proper bed. It was hard to dig myself out from under the pile of love, but I needed a little bit of proper sleep.
posted by notoriety public at 6:05 AM on January 8 [16 favorites]
I slept down in the kitten room to get one last night in with the full crowd. Suffering a bit for it this morning. Still worth it! Although I had to give up at around 3am to come back upstairs and finish the night in my proper bed. It was hard to dig myself out from under the pile of love, but I needed a little bit of proper sleep.
posted by notoriety public at 6:05 AM on January 8 [16 favorites]
This is the first place with real winter (like, snow and cold) that I've lived in in years. I can't really afford it yet (or maybe ever) but it is giving me thoughts of how nice it would be to be a snowbird, here for the wonderful summers and then somewhere that is tropical for the winter.
In the meantime it is making me feel really inactive, since I've been staying indoors to avoid the cold, and icy sidewalks. If we stay living here, I'll need to figure out ways of being active in the winter, either by embracing winter sports or signing up for the gym. But last night it snowed more and today will definitely be an indoors day, with solutions to inactivity remaining a "soon" concept to be put off for a while longer.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:16 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
In the meantime it is making me feel really inactive, since I've been staying indoors to avoid the cold, and icy sidewalks. If we stay living here, I'll need to figure out ways of being active in the winter, either by embracing winter sports or signing up for the gym. But last night it snowed more and today will definitely be an indoors day, with solutions to inactivity remaining a "soon" concept to be put off for a while longer.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:16 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
We had to euthanize our 14 year old cat on Friday. He'd been a bit off the last little while, and doing poorly for a few days. Our vet did an ultrasound and found multiple cancerous masses. He'd been through two major surgeries in his life, and bounced back to his old self from both. But this time there was no good prognosis, so we decided to say goodbye.
The house feels very empty without him. We've been cleaning up all the cat infrastructure and feeling very sad. But we also have no regrets about the life we were able to give him, which is good. Someday we'll get another cat, but not intentionally for awhile. If the cat distribution system intervenes, that's another thing.
posted by eekernohan at 6:18 AM on January 8 [29 favorites]
The house feels very empty without him. We've been cleaning up all the cat infrastructure and feeling very sad. But we also have no regrets about the life we were able to give him, which is good. Someday we'll get another cat, but not intentionally for awhile. If the cat distribution system intervenes, that's another thing.
posted by eekernohan at 6:18 AM on January 8 [29 favorites]
I really don’t mind cold and snowy US winters. My biggest issue is with people who don’t maintain their sidewalks when it snows or ices. My whole perspective changed after spending a winter in NZ and one in Perth, Australia. Technically much warmer than here, but due to a lack of central heating and insulation I was so much colder all the time. Here, when I’m inside I’m warm, so outside doesn’t seem so bad.
I do love cooking soups and stews with root vegetables, which never felt seasonally appropriate in Southern California. So I guess that’s “how I get through it.”
posted by rednikki at 6:23 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
I do love cooking soups and stews with root vegetables, which never felt seasonally appropriate in Southern California. So I guess that’s “how I get through it.”
posted by rednikki at 6:23 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
Finally some snow in Boston. Christmas was 52F (11C). Walking home from dropping the rental off 11PM on Christmas Eve, there were two bunnies hopping around the front lawn of the neighboring apartment complex looking for… whatever rabbits look for in treated lawns. This is in Cambridge, for crying out loud. I spent Christmas afternoon biking around town with a friend in a fall jacket.
So, yeah, a little cold and snow to let us know the Earth isn’t already completely fucked sideways is kinda welcome at this point. Otherwise: I recently gave away my old SAD lamp to a friend when she moved out of the building - she’s from Turkey, has no idea what she’s in for. So after waking up manic this morning at 4:30AM and hitting the gym for two hours, I did a Ray Smuckles “what’s the best thing you got” search on SAD lamps, found this Reddit empirical testing post, splurged and bought the Alaskan Northern Lights Aurora Lightpad Mini.
We’ll see if it lives up to the hype.
posted by Ryvar at 6:36 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
So, yeah, a little cold and snow to let us know the Earth isn’t already completely fucked sideways is kinda welcome at this point. Otherwise: I recently gave away my old SAD lamp to a friend when she moved out of the building - she’s from Turkey, has no idea what she’s in for. So after waking up manic this morning at 4:30AM and hitting the gym for two hours, I did a Ray Smuckles “what’s the best thing you got” search on SAD lamps, found this Reddit empirical testing post, splurged and bought the Alaskan Northern Lights Aurora Lightpad Mini.
We’ll see if it lives up to the hype.
posted by Ryvar at 6:36 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
I just spent the weekend at Jekyll Island GA - happened upon a lovely Saturday at nearly 70 degrees F.
We moved to Savannah GA in 2021 - I tell folks here "I've retired from winter" after spending the rest of my life in and around Great Lakes states. I've decided that I'm not shoveling snow again, god damned it to hell, along with all of the icy windy subzero darkness that goes along with it.
*edit - also eat more soup
posted by djseafood at 6:36 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
We moved to Savannah GA in 2021 - I tell folks here "I've retired from winter" after spending the rest of my life in and around Great Lakes states. I've decided that I'm not shoveling snow again, god damned it to hell, along with all of the icy windy subzero darkness that goes along with it.
*edit - also eat more soup
posted by djseafood at 6:36 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
the urge to retreat and hide during winter is powerful.. I try to buck that urge, because the fellowship of friends during cold months is special. the dogs get me out and mainly through them: I enjoy the season.
as others have mentioned, global climate change reduced winter to a skiff of snow in the part of Canada I call home. snow is finally on the way, and temperatures plummeted this weekend and look to be -30 by Friday. I think of wildfire season with dread.
posted by elkevelvet at 6:39 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
as others have mentioned, global climate change reduced winter to a skiff of snow in the part of Canada I call home. snow is finally on the way, and temperatures plummeted this weekend and look to be -30 by Friday. I think of wildfire season with dread.
posted by elkevelvet at 6:39 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Here in my part of Norway it has been uncommonly cold the last week, and the dog has started refusing her walks. The cat holds it in as long as he can, and returns to the door just minutes after he's been let out. It will reportedly let up a bit tomorrow, though.
I've spent a couple of evenings sampling my birthday whisky and building the large Lego Technic Land Rover I got, which is a good activity for deepest winter.
posted by Harald74 at 6:44 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
I've spent a couple of evenings sampling my birthday whisky and building the large Lego Technic Land Rover I got, which is a good activity for deepest winter.
posted by Harald74 at 6:44 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Last year, when I had to wash my clothes at an unheated laundromat, one of the phrases I repeated to myself for comfort was "only X more laundry days until the average daily high temperature is above freezing." The other was "Maybe next year I won't have to go to the laundromat."
This year, I have an apartment with an in-unit washer and dryer, and I am reminding myself of that any time I want to complain.
We might get a big snow tomorrow, so I might be working at home. It's a pity it won't be a real snow day, but working at home with a mug of hot chocolate and a big blanket and a cat and a pot of leek and potato soup has at least 25% of the coziness of a proper snow day.
posted by Jeanne at 6:44 AM on January 8 [10 favorites]
This year, I have an apartment with an in-unit washer and dryer, and I am reminding myself of that any time I want to complain.
We might get a big snow tomorrow, so I might be working at home. It's a pity it won't be a real snow day, but working at home with a mug of hot chocolate and a big blanket and a cat and a pot of leek and potato soup has at least 25% of the coziness of a proper snow day.
posted by Jeanne at 6:44 AM on January 8 [10 favorites]
@Harald74, what birthday whisky would that be?
I'll be attending a whisky tasting party in a few weeks, I was planning to share a bit of Laphroaig plus I found a rye whisky infused with chaga that looks suitably weird.
For fun once, I introduced the Peat Monster and it was truly awful.. tasted like it had been conjured from a spent firepit.
posted by elkevelvet at 6:52 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
I'll be attending a whisky tasting party in a few weeks, I was planning to share a bit of Laphroaig plus I found a rye whisky infused with chaga that looks suitably weird.
For fun once, I introduced the Peat Monster and it was truly awful.. tasted like it had been conjured from a spent firepit.
posted by elkevelvet at 6:52 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
If I can drag myself out of bed and exercise before work, that helps me get through the winter days in a better frame of mind, although since somebody threatened to blow up my workplace last week I'm even less enthusiastic than usual about being here.
My other winter solace is books, lots and lots of books. Oh who'm I kidding, that's my summer, spring, and fall solace too.
I am unreasonably cross that the parking garage at work has been closed. It's really a good thing, because it's old and some engineering company did a survey and apparently said something like, Uh-Oh, and I don't want debris falling on my car or my head, but I'm still cross because that's a lot of parking to lose and on certain days space is at a premium, and now there's no covered parking during snowstorms, and blah blah blah, it's really a stupid thing to be mad about so I'm trying to knock it off, but change in routine is hard when you're getting old. I probably should buy more books.
posted by JanetLand at 6:57 AM on January 8 [5 favorites]
My other winter solace is books, lots and lots of books. Oh who'm I kidding, that's my summer, spring, and fall solace too.
I am unreasonably cross that the parking garage at work has been closed. It's really a good thing, because it's old and some engineering company did a survey and apparently said something like, Uh-Oh, and I don't want debris falling on my car or my head, but I'm still cross because that's a lot of parking to lose and on certain days space is at a premium, and now there's no covered parking during snowstorms, and blah blah blah, it's really a stupid thing to be mad about so I'm trying to knock it off, but change in routine is hard when you're getting old. I probably should buy more books.
posted by JanetLand at 6:57 AM on January 8 [5 favorites]
Now winter nights enlarge
The number of their hours;
And clouds their storms discharge
Upon the airy towers.
Let now the chimneys blaze
And cups o’erflow with wine,
Let well-turned words amaze
With harmony divine.
Now yellow waxen lights
Shall wait on honey love
While youthful revels, masques, and courtly
sights
Sleep’s leaden spells remove.
This time doth well dispense
With lovers’ long discourse;
Much speech hath some defense,
Though beauty no remorse.
All do not all things well;
Some measures comely tread,
Some knotted riddles tell,
Some poems smoothly read.
The summer hath his joys,
And winter his delights;
Though love and all his pleasures are but
toys,
They shorten tedious nights.
Thomas Campion
The Third and Fourth Booke of Ayeres
1617
posted by y2karl at 6:57 AM on January 8 [13 favorites]
The number of their hours;
And clouds their storms discharge
Upon the airy towers.
Let now the chimneys blaze
And cups o’erflow with wine,
Let well-turned words amaze
With harmony divine.
Now yellow waxen lights
Shall wait on honey love
While youthful revels, masques, and courtly
sights
Sleep’s leaden spells remove.
This time doth well dispense
With lovers’ long discourse;
Much speech hath some defense,
Though beauty no remorse.
All do not all things well;
Some measures comely tread,
Some knotted riddles tell,
Some poems smoothly read.
The summer hath his joys,
And winter his delights;
Though love and all his pleasures are but
toys,
They shorten tedious nights.
Thomas Campion
The Third and Fourth Booke of Ayeres
1617
posted by y2karl at 6:57 AM on January 8 [13 favorites]
Winter, for me, is a time to dig out some recipes, like lentil soup with kielbasa, and Swedish meatballs, and beef stew - things that are good to toss into a crockpot and let go for a while, so when my wife gets in from work she has a good hot meal to bring her back.
Since she just recovered from COVID this is an important thing to take into account.
I felt like I cheated, using an AI image generator to create a mockup of my book cover, but you know what? I can then send it when I have the money to the person I get to do the cover and they can see what I'm seeing as what I want. I think I'm almost finished with it, thankfully, so maybe I can turn my attention to other things related to it (like the editing and the formatting and and and).
I'm still looking for work and got turned down for Unemployment (Pennsylvania has deeply arcane rules and I'm kind of annoyed about them, really). So I need to get work, which will cut into my personal creation time, and then... well. You know, I'm not going to be cranky-ass about it, because that helps no one, especially me.
And I have an endocrinologist appointment tomorrow, so that's nice. If I had a spare $25 I could also get a laser consult at the same place (Mazzoni Center in Philly is kinda cool with all the services for the LGBTQIA+ community under the roof).
posted by mephron at 7:05 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
Since she just recovered from COVID this is an important thing to take into account.
I felt like I cheated, using an AI image generator to create a mockup of my book cover, but you know what? I can then send it when I have the money to the person I get to do the cover and they can see what I'm seeing as what I want. I think I'm almost finished with it, thankfully, so maybe I can turn my attention to other things related to it (like the editing and the formatting and and and).
I'm still looking for work and got turned down for Unemployment (Pennsylvania has deeply arcane rules and I'm kind of annoyed about them, really). So I need to get work, which will cut into my personal creation time, and then... well. You know, I'm not going to be cranky-ass about it, because that helps no one, especially me.
And I have an endocrinologist appointment tomorrow, so that's nice. If I had a spare $25 I could also get a laser consult at the same place (Mazzoni Center in Philly is kinda cool with all the services for the LGBTQIA+ community under the roof).
posted by mephron at 7:05 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
I live in west-central Minnesota, just a stone's through from Fargo, North Dakota, and winter is just the way it is. You just keep going about your life the same as the parts of the year when it's not cold and snowy. I have a heavy parka, not because I can't handle the cold, but because the cold is nicer if you're comfortable.
This winter has been weird and nice; warmer than average -- above freezing even at night?!? -- and we just got our first snow that's "sticking" just a couple days ago.This came after a day of freezing rain that coated everything with ice. I'd rather have the snow. Usually November 1st hits and it's 32°F/0°C or lower until April 1st.
Our dog, an anatolian shepherd rescued from snowless southern Texas, absolutely loves the snow. She wants to run and spin and roll and dig in the snow as much as possible. Another reason for me to have a parka, so I can walk her as much as she wants in the snow.
Film student update: today is the first day of class! I'm taking three classes this semester, because I discovered a night class that fits in my schedule, which accidentally turns me into a full-time student.
Apparently there's a rule that if you have earned 180 credits but haven't graduated, you don't technically qualify for student loans any more, unless you appeal the decision to show you're not just fucking around in school.
I hit this limit because I was a junior my first attempt at graduating but dropped out, made it to a senior on my second attempt in a different major but lost employer tuition assistance and didn't finish then either. But all those credits are over 20 years old so my initial contact with the financial office makes me confident they'll accept my appeal, however it's still stressful. I did also plan for something like this when I first enrolled, I have savings which could technically pay for my entire schooling but I'd rather not spend savings (investments actually) if I can get a 5% interest student loan instead. And, this doesn't affect my enrollment, they just need their money by the payment deadline in February.
But, my classes this semester are:
posted by AzraelBrown at 7:07 AM on January 8 [12 favorites]
This winter has been weird and nice; warmer than average -- above freezing even at night?!? -- and we just got our first snow that's "sticking" just a couple days ago.This came after a day of freezing rain that coated everything with ice. I'd rather have the snow. Usually November 1st hits and it's 32°F/0°C or lower until April 1st.
Our dog, an anatolian shepherd rescued from snowless southern Texas, absolutely loves the snow. She wants to run and spin and roll and dig in the snow as much as possible. Another reason for me to have a parka, so I can walk her as much as she wants in the snow.
Film student update: today is the first day of class! I'm taking three classes this semester, because I discovered a night class that fits in my schedule, which accidentally turns me into a full-time student.
Apparently there's a rule that if you have earned 180 credits but haven't graduated, you don't technically qualify for student loans any more, unless you appeal the decision to show you're not just fucking around in school.
I hit this limit because I was a junior my first attempt at graduating but dropped out, made it to a senior on my second attempt in a different major but lost employer tuition assistance and didn't finish then either. But all those credits are over 20 years old so my initial contact with the financial office makes me confident they'll accept my appeal, however it's still stressful. I did also plan for something like this when I first enrolled, I have savings which could technically pay for my entire schooling but I'd rather not spend savings (investments actually) if I can get a 5% interest student loan instead. And, this doesn't affect my enrollment, they just need their money by the payment deadline in February.
But, my classes this semester are:
- 16mm Film I (this film program is one of the few in the US that explicitly teaches traditional, not-digital film techniques as part of its core coursework)
- Animation 116 (this is the night class; looking at job descriptions and from what I've experienced in classes so far tell me that modern filmmaking and editing really benefits from having animation skills )
- American Music (it satisfies a humanities class and sounds like a 'fluff' course which shouldn't be too hard)
posted by AzraelBrown at 7:07 AM on January 8 [12 favorites]
This is the first place with real winter (like, snow and cold) that I've lived in in years. I can't really afford it yet (or maybe ever) but it is giving me thoughts of how nice it would be to be a snowbird, here for the wonderful summers and then somewhere that is tropical for the winter.
It wasn't until I moved here that I realized that snowbirds have the right idea. Shit, if I had the money to go south for the winter, I would. But given climate change, the weather I crave during the cold months will likely come to me.
posted by Kitteh at 7:09 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
It wasn't until I moved here that I realized that snowbirds have the right idea. Shit, if I had the money to go south for the winter, I would. But given climate change, the weather I crave during the cold months will likely come to me.
posted by Kitteh at 7:09 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
I prefer the reverse snow bird, I live in the south and travel north to see the wonderful spring/summer/fall weather. This is how we ended up in Iceland in April (and it was perfect)
95F and humid in July feels really similar in GA and MN.
posted by djseafood at 7:13 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
95F and humid in July feels really similar in GA and MN.
posted by djseafood at 7:13 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
I've ended up not where I thought I'd be for over-yearing but, in retrospect, a better place. Plans are being made for this summer; I'm assuming it'll be a record-breaking hot one for the western hemisphere so Scandinavia - as far north as possible - is looking a possibility. Though one of my best friends is getting married in Ohio at ... the end of August. If I go, I'll be carefully planning that trip from aircon to aircon unit.
I've shaken up my music playlist for this season. Big drum sounds are in every morning. As well as Kate (any excuse for Kate) there's the Pandemonium sequence from the 2012 Olympic ceremony. It's not for everyone (17+ minutes) but a thousand drums and a lot more make for a fully waking-up start to the day. Some split-screen footage of that part of the ceremony.
posted by Wordshore at 7:18 AM on January 8 [6 favorites]
I've shaken up my music playlist for this season. Big drum sounds are in every morning. As well as Kate (any excuse for Kate) there's the Pandemonium sequence from the 2012 Olympic ceremony. It's not for everyone (17+ minutes) but a thousand drums and a lot more make for a fully waking-up start to the day. Some split-screen footage of that part of the ceremony.
posted by Wordshore at 7:18 AM on January 8 [6 favorites]
I alternate between a kitten's delight in being alive and despairing of being in this timeline. Overall mood: variable.
posted by seanmpuckett at 7:28 AM on January 8 [9 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 7:28 AM on January 8 [9 favorites]
@Wordshore, I stopped paying attention to the Olympic Games some time ago and had no idea the opening in London was such a cool spectacle. I was aware of London 2012 in a social-media-told-me-someone-airdropped into the stadium kind of way, and I already forget if that was Boris Johnson? Thanks for sharing that.
posted by elkevelvet at 7:33 AM on January 8 [1 favorite]
posted by elkevelvet at 7:33 AM on January 8 [1 favorite]
I was aware of London 2012 in a social-media-told-me-someone-airdropped into the stadium kind of way, and I already forget if that was Boris Johnson?
HRH Queen Elizabeth II and James Bond jumped out of a helicopter and parachuted into the stadium. Bit of a tough act for the 2016 Olympics to follow.
posted by Wordshore at 7:35 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
HRH Queen Elizabeth II and James Bond jumped out of a helicopter and parachuted into the stadium. Bit of a tough act for the 2016 Olympics to follow.
posted by Wordshore at 7:35 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
I am not wintering well - I don't like bulky coats or winter hats and gloves, and I don't like the temperature changes and you get hot and you put them in your jacket's sorry little pockets and then you lose them. After you just got them for Christmas. Yay winter.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:36 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:36 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
It's cold, today, not sub-zero celsius but approaching it. In the muddle of islands off north-west Europe, there's hot air from the tropics lulling us into a false sense how far north we are -- it's either clear skies, bright sun but cold or warm drizzling unending rain.
I winter by trying to keep my feet dry.
posted by k3ninho at 8:02 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
I winter by trying to keep my feet dry.
posted by k3ninho at 8:02 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
16mm Film I (this film program is one of the few in the US that explicitly teaches traditional, not-digital film techniques as part of its core coursework)
Oh wow, I attended NYU Film classes around the turn of the millennium, so they had me shoot on Super 16 and edit on a Steenbeck table for one semester. That -- plus learning how to do in-camera effects like double exposures and cross-cut trickery -- makes you really appreciate pre-computer film work.
As far as winter goes, if you work an office job in North America, you are very likely not getting enough Vitamin D. Make sure your multivitamin includes it, or buy supplements. Short-term deficiency is not a big deal but long-term (like for example, over a long winter) contributes to a range of health issues you don't want.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 8:20 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
Oh wow, I attended NYU Film classes around the turn of the millennium, so they had me shoot on Super 16 and edit on a Steenbeck table for one semester. That -- plus learning how to do in-camera effects like double exposures and cross-cut trickery -- makes you really appreciate pre-computer film work.
As far as winter goes, if you work an office job in North America, you are very likely not getting enough Vitamin D. Make sure your multivitamin includes it, or buy supplements. Short-term deficiency is not a big deal but long-term (like for example, over a long winter) contributes to a range of health issues you don't want.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 8:20 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
Winter is a surprisingly busy time on our fruit tree farm in California. I just finished pruning the rose field, all 600 hundred of the thorny fuckers, and now I am moving on to pruning the trees. It's also the season to plant new trees. Yesterday I planted a few Pink Princess apples (pink fleshed on the insides) and two Ananas Reinette, which do really taste and smell like pineapples. Yay for trees, and also, I am very very sore.
posted by birdsongster at 8:23 AM on January 8 [10 favorites]
posted by birdsongster at 8:23 AM on January 8 [10 favorites]
Since Vitamin D is coming up a lot, I wanted to share this article from Scientific American:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-much-vitamin-d-do-you-need-to-stay-healthy/
TLDR: you probably don't need supplements.
If you think you might, home tests for Vitamin D levels are online and not expensive. Since the supplement market in the USA is completely unregulated, there's no way to know if Vitamin D supplements contain what they say and don't include other things that are not benign. Every doctor I have ever trusted strongly advised against them unless truly necessary.
posted by birdsongster at 8:27 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-much-vitamin-d-do-you-need-to-stay-healthy/
TLDR: you probably don't need supplements.
If you think you might, home tests for Vitamin D levels are online and not expensive. Since the supplement market in the USA is completely unregulated, there's no way to know if Vitamin D supplements contain what they say and don't include other things that are not benign. Every doctor I have ever trusted strongly advised against them unless truly necessary.
posted by birdsongster at 8:27 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
My child is back with me after holidays at her dad's, and she is having the standard adjustment to make but it's ok. She tromped out into the snow today refusing to wear a hat and I hope she doesn't regret it. She's 18, it's her call, but inwardly I protest.
I am also having to adjust because my impulse to hover and worry will drive her nuts if I can't turn it down.
I have been hibernating to get over a nasty cold but I need to get out more or the winter blahs will drag me down. But I like the part of wintering where we are eating delicious stews, that's going well.
posted by emjaybee at 8:33 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
I am also having to adjust because my impulse to hover and worry will drive her nuts if I can't turn it down.
I have been hibernating to get over a nasty cold but I need to get out more or the winter blahs will drag me down. But I like the part of wintering where we are eating delicious stews, that's going well.
posted by emjaybee at 8:33 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
butts.
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 8:34 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 8:34 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Since the supplement market in the USA is completely unregulated, there's no way to know if Vitamin D supplements contain what they say and don't include other things that are not benign.
The USP verified mark is a helpful thing to look for, per my registered renal dietician. It verifies that the contents have been labtested by an independent authority to confirm the dosage is correct and the manufacturing process is compliant with FDA standards.
posted by mochapickle at 8:35 AM on January 8 [5 favorites]
The USP verified mark is a helpful thing to look for, per my registered renal dietician. It verifies that the contents have been labtested by an independent authority to confirm the dosage is correct and the manufacturing process is compliant with FDA standards.
posted by mochapickle at 8:35 AM on January 8 [5 favorites]
One thing I have low-keybtried to to in winters is visit the Central Park Zoo, because they have an outdoor enclosure foe some Japanese snow monkeys and I want to try seeing them in their element. No such luck yet this year.
Last night was the Golde. Globes kicking off awards season; that can be a good forecast of "who will they nominate for the Oscars." I try to catch the Best Picture nominees before the Oscars each year - but this year it looks like I have already caught two, just by doing the whole Barbieheimer thing.
Oh, and Cillian Murphy beat out my man Colman for est Actor but I had a feeling that would happen.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:38 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
Last night was the Golde. Globes kicking off awards season; that can be a good forecast of "who will they nominate for the Oscars." I try to catch the Best Picture nominees before the Oscars each year - but this year it looks like I have already caught two, just by doing the whole Barbieheimer thing.
Oh, and Cillian Murphy beat out my man Colman for est Actor but I had a feeling that would happen.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:38 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
Winter is actually the only season I really like. Well, I take that back -- when autumn is true autumn (as it was this past year, actually) I enjoy that. But too often autumn is just Summer Part Deux in the Midwest. And now this winter is just Fall Part Deux, which is both distressing in the general long-term sense and also glum and shitty in the immediate one. It feels unfair that my lovely Christmas tree had only one paltry and minimal snowfall behind it! And on New Years' Eve at that.
But tonight we are due our first snowstorm of the season, so I'm hopeful. When it gets cold and dark I finally feel like I can get something done, whereas in summer the daylight is oppressive and the heat is oppressive and my job is oppressive.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:42 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
But tonight we are due our first snowstorm of the season, so I'm hopeful. When it gets cold and dark I finally feel like I can get something done, whereas in summer the daylight is oppressive and the heat is oppressive and my job is oppressive.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:42 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
Our seed orders will be arriving soon, next step is setting up grow lights and heat mats and I guess I'd better get some start containers. Let's hope the porch made of oatmeal, now encased in plastic, will hold favored temp when it gets very cold outside (as is forecast for the end of this week).
I'm in better spirits this year than for a long time, having my own space helps a lot as do the windows and cats snoozing on cat trees. We found damp and mold in a closet, so there's some foundation thing to worry about but not actually able to do anything because cold. So, that. My winter soup list currently includes soupe de poisson with rouille, chicken and white bean chili, hot pot noodle.
I signed up for the Valentine's card swap, strongly recommend if you want a little loving howdy from a mefi pal in the mailbox.
posted by winesong at 8:45 AM on January 8 [5 favorites]
I'm in better spirits this year than for a long time, having my own space helps a lot as do the windows and cats snoozing on cat trees. We found damp and mold in a closet, so there's some foundation thing to worry about but not actually able to do anything because cold. So, that. My winter soup list currently includes soupe de poisson with rouille, chicken and white bean chili, hot pot noodle.
I signed up for the Valentine's card swap, strongly recommend if you want a little loving howdy from a mefi pal in the mailbox.
posted by winesong at 8:45 AM on January 8 [5 favorites]
@winesong What seeds are you starting?
All I am doing from seed this year is sweet peas and sunflowers. I am so overwhelmed with other winter farm chores, I buy starts for everything else, but I love all seed starting on principle.
posted by birdsongster at 8:58 AM on January 8
All I am doing from seed this year is sweet peas and sunflowers. I am so overwhelmed with other winter farm chores, I buy starts for everything else, but I love all seed starting on principle.
posted by birdsongster at 8:58 AM on January 8
I've gardened for years, but have never done much seed starting, but this year I bought this kit from Park Seed with the idea of starting tomatoes and peppers.
posted by JanetLand at 9:03 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
posted by JanetLand at 9:03 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
It has been brought to my attention that Gillian Anderson wore a dress embroidered with large vulvas to the Golden Globe awards. Simultaneously, I discovered it was possible for my esteem of her to rise higher. Here is a link to a Hungarian site that has done some light image processing on the photos of the white-on-white dress so you can see what's up. Or down.
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:29 AM on January 8 [8 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:29 AM on January 8 [8 favorites]
Oh, winter...
Right now, I'm sooo tired.
The PSTD has being sneaking up on me for several months, and early this morning I had an extremely violent flashback and I just couldn't get out of it since most of the time I thought it was reality, though that would make no sense at all. I think I need to call the hospital.
Anyway, that wasn't what I wanted to tell you about, it was just about setting the scene.
These first three weeks of January, my workday is 8AM to 5PM, no breaks and + the commute, and many days I take my dog with me to work, so I have an excuse for getting out a couple of times during the day. Like smokers, you know. Today my breaks were very short, but I can feel in my face that I still got a lot of sun. I love real winter weather like we have it right now: thick crunchy snow and brilliant sun. Every time I walk the dog, I miss my skis. Still, it was a very long day.
When I came home, the dog was already excited at the front door, and sure enough, my daughter and her BF had company: the BF is starting a new business with a couple of friends, and they were all in the kitchen working on their computers and eating delicious food my daughter, the chef, had made for them. I took some of the food (a summer roll) and retreated to my den. When I came back to the kitchen an hour later, they were all dancing and singing along to 70s music, both Country and R&B. First they were a bit shy, but after joking a bit about my daughter's skills, they all resumed singing and dancing.
Man, life goes on...
posted by mumimor at 10:10 AM on January 8 [9 favorites]
Right now, I'm sooo tired.
The PSTD has being sneaking up on me for several months, and early this morning I had an extremely violent flashback and I just couldn't get out of it since most of the time I thought it was reality, though that would make no sense at all. I think I need to call the hospital.
Anyway, that wasn't what I wanted to tell you about, it was just about setting the scene.
These first three weeks of January, my workday is 8AM to 5PM, no breaks and + the commute, and many days I take my dog with me to work, so I have an excuse for getting out a couple of times during the day. Like smokers, you know. Today my breaks were very short, but I can feel in my face that I still got a lot of sun. I love real winter weather like we have it right now: thick crunchy snow and brilliant sun. Every time I walk the dog, I miss my skis. Still, it was a very long day.
When I came home, the dog was already excited at the front door, and sure enough, my daughter and her BF had company: the BF is starting a new business with a couple of friends, and they were all in the kitchen working on their computers and eating delicious food my daughter, the chef, had made for them. I took some of the food (a summer roll) and retreated to my den. When I came back to the kitchen an hour later, they were all dancing and singing along to 70s music, both Country and R&B. First they were a bit shy, but after joking a bit about my daughter's skills, they all resumed singing and dancing.
Man, life goes on...
posted by mumimor at 10:10 AM on January 8 [9 favorites]
well I live in Oakland CA, where we don't exactly have winter (altho I have managed to have SAD here lol). its often gloomy and wet though, so the usual things: soup, books, cat snuggles on the couch, naps.
I have a complicated relationship with sleep. As a child I was plagued by nightmares. As a young adult I was convinced some sleep disorder(s) must run in my family. Well it turns out I have two (apnea, REM disorder) now well treated (CPAP, melatonin). Turns out apnea can trigger nightmares, which trigger the REM disorder LOOOOOL!!!!
I had a terrible night of sleep on the 1st. Tossing and turning with leg pain and restlessness all night. I have sort of perfect storm of sleep fuckery: menopause, hyperthyroidism, a wee bit too much alcohol generally. But I am doing sober Jan (so far so good!) and have been exercising/stretching every day and taking ibuprofen at bedtime. I am caught up on good sleep now and feeling well rested!!! it's very nice. The meds for the hyperthyroid make me tired in the afternoon, which is annoying. Maybe I should try taking them with dinner instead of breakfast???
posted by supermedusa at 10:21 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
I have a complicated relationship with sleep. As a child I was plagued by nightmares. As a young adult I was convinced some sleep disorder(s) must run in my family. Well it turns out I have two (apnea, REM disorder) now well treated (CPAP, melatonin). Turns out apnea can trigger nightmares, which trigger the REM disorder LOOOOOL!!!!
I had a terrible night of sleep on the 1st. Tossing and turning with leg pain and restlessness all night. I have sort of perfect storm of sleep fuckery: menopause, hyperthyroidism, a wee bit too much alcohol generally. But I am doing sober Jan (so far so good!) and have been exercising/stretching every day and taking ibuprofen at bedtime. I am caught up on good sleep now and feeling well rested!!! it's very nice. The meds for the hyperthyroid make me tired in the afternoon, which is annoying. Maybe I should try taking them with dinner instead of breakfast???
posted by supermedusa at 10:21 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
I've been buying books without reading at a rate to fast enough to keep up. I just stacked up the ones I haven't even cracked and it's a stack 33 inches tall.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 11:38 AM on January 8 [6 favorites]
posted by paper chromatographologist at 11:38 AM on January 8 [6 favorites]
I have maxed out the number of books Libby will let me put on hold :P
posted by supermedusa at 11:42 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 11:42 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
My apartment in southern Spain is not very warm this time of year, so I'm spending a good deal of time in neighborhood libraries and bookstore / hotel cafés. It's actually a nice way to people-watch, and the bookstore café serves scrumptious Venezuelan food.
And I'm getting quite a bit of work done despite the trundling of equipment and the frequent donning / doffing of multiple layers.
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 12:13 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
And I'm getting quite a bit of work done despite the trundling of equipment and the frequent donning / doffing of multiple layers.
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 12:13 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
I just spent three nights and four days at a little A frame cabin in the Catskills during the Great Northeast Winter Storm. It was bucolic! A roaring fireplace, wine, friends, skiing, home cooked meals. There was a bit of an issue getting one of the cars out of the driveway, but because it was successful and did not end up with a RAV4 down the side of a hill or me pinned underneath a tire, it is now a fond anecdote.
Now I'm back home in Philly and grateful for my familiar surroundings.
posted by grumpybear69 at 12:15 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Now I'm back home in Philly and grateful for my familiar surroundings.
posted by grumpybear69 at 12:15 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
This post is Southern Hemisphere erasure.
We are summering, thank you.
Now I need to go water the garden before the sun gets any higher, or my cucumbers will wilt.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 12:27 PM on January 8 [7 favorites]
We are summering, thank you.
Now I need to go water the garden before the sun gets any higher, or my cucumbers will wilt.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 12:27 PM on January 8 [7 favorites]
I'm somewhat dark-skinned but I've never had an issue with SAD in winter, I just embrace the cold and try to spend as much time outside as I can, although I try to spend as much time outside as I can year-round. The winter holidays are now over for my family and we didn't end up doing all that much because the plan was to stay home and do various winter activities but it didn't get cold or snowy enough for those to happen. My younger kid was happy about the snow we got yesterday but it wasn't enough to do anything and it looks like it'll melt soon enough. The warmish weather and lack of snow has definitely made my commute to work easier but I wouldn't mind if it got colder and snowier so that my kid could enjoy the winter weather.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:33 PM on January 8 [1 favorite]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:33 PM on January 8 [1 favorite]
@birdsongster starting seeds for: peppers, tomatoes, leeks, flowers! is kind of a first for me as I usually only threw some nasturtium and marigold seeds into leftover pots but now I get to choose what I want! , herbs of course, then we'll direct sow beans and cucumbers and lettuces. Squash, a small type, eggplant a large type, what else what else...it's magic to have so much space, now just need a LOT of compost/soil. Fingers crossed we can get some from the city tree services, or the water reclamation plant, or somebody.
Oh and I really reeally want to order a dwarf meyer lemon tree. My bay laurel is doing well on the (mentioned, ricketty) porch, so why not try the most exquisite lemon?
posted by winesong at 1:49 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
Oh and I really reeally want to order a dwarf meyer lemon tree. My bay laurel is doing well on the (mentioned, ricketty) porch, so why not try the most exquisite lemon?
posted by winesong at 1:49 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
Oh and I really reeally want to order a dwarf meyer lemon tree.
We got one about a year and a half ago. We let it grow 2 lemons probably a lot earlier than we should have but they grew well, even if it took them a loooong time to fully ripen. It's flowered some more and I've been told that another small one is growing. We're in Toronto, Canada so it stays indoors by a window because even though the weather's been unseasonably warm here it's still too cold for a lemon tree!
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:57 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
We got one about a year and a half ago. We let it grow 2 lemons probably a lot earlier than we should have but they grew well, even if it took them a loooong time to fully ripen. It's flowered some more and I've been told that another small one is growing. We're in Toronto, Canada so it stays indoors by a window because even though the weather's been unseasonably warm here it's still too cold for a lemon tree!
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:57 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Given my late-rising schedule, this time of year is the pits as first dog walk is followed minutes later by second dog walk. Often both are in the pouring rain, which makes me grumpy. Money is super-tight, too, so the rain pants I've been considering will have to wait, along with a bunch of other stuff. So it goes...
(any excuse for Kate)
I think whatever gremlins live in my head could have been (or still could be) chased out by hugging Kate for six minutes. I'm confident it would fix me.
posted by maxwelton at 2:34 PM on January 8 [1 favorite]
(any excuse for Kate)
I think whatever gremlins live in my head could have been (or still could be) chased out by hugging Kate for six minutes. I'm confident it would fix me.
posted by maxwelton at 2:34 PM on January 8 [1 favorite]
This post is Southern Hemisphere erasure.
We are summering, thank you.
Here in the US, there's a restaurant called Outback Steakhouse, who has an Australian-accented person narrating their commercials, and a recent commercial makes a joke about how it's summer down under...and my mind was kinda blown. I knew this time of year was when your koalas burst into flames and stuff, but I sort of expected you still called it winter like your ancestors in the British Isles called it.
This goes in tandem with the Astronomy class that I took last summer, which did visualizations of the sun's position during the seasons at different spots on the Earth, so in June in the northern hemisphere, the sun's position is the furthest north it moves. Then, June in the Southern Hemisphere...also has the sun's position the furthest north it goes too. But it's different!
Living on a tipped sphere is weird.
posted by AzraelBrown at 2:38 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
We are summering, thank you.
Here in the US, there's a restaurant called Outback Steakhouse, who has an Australian-accented person narrating their commercials, and a recent commercial makes a joke about how it's summer down under...and my mind was kinda blown. I knew this time of year was when your koalas burst into flames and stuff, but I sort of expected you still called it winter like your ancestors in the British Isles called it.
This goes in tandem with the Astronomy class that I took last summer, which did visualizations of the sun's position during the seasons at different spots on the Earth, so in June in the northern hemisphere, the sun's position is the furthest north it moves. Then, June in the Southern Hemisphere...also has the sun's position the furthest north it goes too. But it's different!
Living on a tipped sphere is weird.
posted by AzraelBrown at 2:38 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Better than living on a spear tip...
posted by Greg_Ace at 2:49 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 2:49 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Our dog, an anatolian shepherd rescued from snowless southern Texas, absolutely loves the snow. She wants to run and spin and roll and dig in the snow as much as possible...
When let out to fresh fallen and still falling snow, our bulldogs, much like AzraelBrown's south Texas Anatolian shepherd, went totally nutso and got the instant zoomies, going hither and yon, cutting cookies and doing bulldog wheelies. Old snow, on the other hand, left them far less amused.
Which was also true of Victor of Aveyron, the original feral child
Both of these so-called feral children were autistic and cluelessly tormented by 'caretakers who had no idea as with what they were dealing. But that both children had same delight with snow and cold water as our animals often do is something that has always stuck in my mind.
posted by y2karl at 3:34 PM on January 8 [1 favorite]
When let out to fresh fallen and still falling snow, our bulldogs, much like AzraelBrown's south Texas Anatolian shepherd, went totally nutso and got the instant zoomies, going hither and yon, cutting cookies and doing bulldog wheelies. Old snow, on the other hand, left them far less amused.
Which was also true of Victor of Aveyron, the original feral child
...Bonnaterre reported that one morning, after a particularly heavy snow storm, Victor of Aveyron looked out his bedroom window and with a cry of joy, ran half-dressed into the garden, where “giving vent to his delight by the most piercing cries, he ran, rolled in the snow, and gathered it up by the handful, devoured it with incredible eagerness”...and much of the same was true for Danielle Crockett aka Genie, who was raised in what amounted to a walk in closet for the first seven years of her life. I recall reading that when she was taught how to take showers, she was thrilled when she learned how to turn off the hot water as she was tremendously excited by the resulting cold shower.
Both of these so-called feral children were autistic and cluelessly tormented by 'caretakers who had no idea as with what they were dealing. But that both children had same delight with snow and cold water as our animals often do is something that has always stuck in my mind.
posted by y2karl at 3:34 PM on January 8 [1 favorite]
Better than living on a spear tip...
I dunno, those angels seem to be so happy on the head of that pin that they're dancing!
posted by hippybear at 3:44 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
I dunno, those angels seem to be so happy on the head of that pin that they're dancing!
posted by hippybear at 3:44 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
> This goes in tandem with the Astronomy class that I took last summer, which did visualizations of the sun's position during the seasons at different spots on the Earth, so in June in the northern hemisphere, the sun's position is the furthest north it moves.
i found myself deeply confused the first time i saw the stars from the southern hemisphere, because orion is upside down! that's not right! and i spent far too long trying to figure out why the constellations are inverted in the southern hemisphere before i came to the so-obvious-it-can't-be-true realization that it's not that the constellations are upside down, it's that i'm upside down.
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 3:49 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
i found myself deeply confused the first time i saw the stars from the southern hemisphere, because orion is upside down! that's not right! and i spent far too long trying to figure out why the constellations are inverted in the southern hemisphere before i came to the so-obvious-it-can't-be-true realization that it's not that the constellations are upside down, it's that i'm upside down.
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 3:49 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
butt over head? shirley not!
posted by k3ninho at 4:00 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
posted by k3ninho at 4:00 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
Covid got me again over Christmas thanks to a sibling. It was a mild case but it meant I couldn't spend the second half of my holiday break biking and hiking. Le sigh. It's only fitting that I would have that to close out 2023, a year that can fuck all the way off. Starting off 2024, I made a nice big lasagna, and on Saturday, I tried my hand at a king cake which came out really really good. I need to make 2024 a better year. I've become keenly aware that the clock is ticking and I need to get stuff done that I want to do, while I can still do it.
posted by azpenguin at 4:09 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
posted by azpenguin at 4:09 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Then, June in the Southern Hemisphere...also has the sun's position the furthest north it goes too. But it's different!
Well yeah - our summer is when the sun's position is at it's furthest south.
posted by HiroProtagonist at 4:45 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Well yeah - our summer is when the sun's position is at it's furthest south.
posted by HiroProtagonist at 4:45 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
"Don't call me Shirley"
posted by Windopaene at 6:30 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
posted by Windopaene at 6:30 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
According to the NIH:
Levels of 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) or above are adequate for most people for bone and overall health.
Levels below 30 nmol/L (12 ng/mL) are too low and might weaken your bones and affect your health.
There are people who definitely need more vit D than others. Although not gospel, there are studies indicating that supplements might help reduce blood cholesterol levels and high blood pressure for some people.
Two years ago I was at 11 nmol, and my life was absolutely miserable. Horrible horrible brain fog and depression. That was while I was working outside a minimum of 5-6 hours a day thru the summer and 3-4 in winter. I kept telling my primary doc that I was low, and he blew me off saying "blood testing wasn't important" and I should take OTC "if I felt I really needed it." OTC D does absolutely nothing for me--makes me nauseous and pukey. I finally fired him.
The new doc gave me an RX that finally brought me up. But now that I'm leveled out and feeling human, she won't give me another RX, and says I should take OTC. *head desk* For 20 years I had a great doc that gave me RX vit D, and life was good. Then the SOB retired.
Mr BlueHorse also has low vit D levels without supplements, but he seems to assimilate OTC stuff. Most of the Olds I know have been told to take it by their docs for continuing bone health.
posted by BlueHorse at 7:02 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Levels of 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) or above are adequate for most people for bone and overall health.
Levels below 30 nmol/L (12 ng/mL) are too low and might weaken your bones and affect your health.
There are people who definitely need more vit D than others. Although not gospel, there are studies indicating that supplements might help reduce blood cholesterol levels and high blood pressure for some people.
Two years ago I was at 11 nmol, and my life was absolutely miserable. Horrible horrible brain fog and depression. That was while I was working outside a minimum of 5-6 hours a day thru the summer and 3-4 in winter. I kept telling my primary doc that I was low, and he blew me off saying "blood testing wasn't important" and I should take OTC "if I felt I really needed it." OTC D does absolutely nothing for me--makes me nauseous and pukey. I finally fired him.
The new doc gave me an RX that finally brought me up. But now that I'm leveled out and feeling human, she won't give me another RX, and says I should take OTC. *head desk* For 20 years I had a great doc that gave me RX vit D, and life was good. Then the SOB retired.
Mr BlueHorse also has low vit D levels without supplements, but he seems to assimilate OTC stuff. Most of the Olds I know have been told to take it by their docs for continuing bone health.
posted by BlueHorse at 7:02 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
I got lots of good news today! My union guy said he can ask for a postponement till the end of the month while I wait on More Medical Stuff to happen, and he will otherwise stall as necessary. He gave great advice as to how to handle my first day back at work, which was actually chill and pleasant. I called an office related to future job hunting activities and they said yes, I'm eligible for the special program as long as I can come in and drop off my paperwork in person sometime, which I will do next week. I have to use some vacation days, so I'll be having some long weekends this month. And it turns out one of my new castmates works for HR for the other giant org I want to apply for (harder entry points, but once you get in I hear they don't fire you) and is willing to advise me on how to get in there.
Also, a friend of mine has been trying to figure out how the eff palliative care works with regards to her dying-but-not-at-hospice-yet husband, and she FINALLY got a good person/good appointment/good clarification as to what they will do. She was expecting to be in a rage today, but she was not! Huzzah!
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:19 PM on January 8 [12 favorites]
Also, a friend of mine has been trying to figure out how the eff palliative care works with regards to her dying-but-not-at-hospice-yet husband, and she FINALLY got a good person/good appointment/good clarification as to what they will do. She was expecting to be in a rage today, but she was not! Huzzah!
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:19 PM on January 8 [12 favorites]
jenfullmoon, I'm so happy for you having some good news! I know you've been going through some really tough times lately, and you deserve all the good news 2024 can muster.
Here's hoping for lots more good things for you soon!
posted by kristi at 7:37 PM on January 8 [5 favorites]
Here's hoping for lots more good things for you soon!
posted by kristi at 7:37 PM on January 8 [5 favorites]
Wintering was a really helpful book for me when I read it near the end of a long illness in 2021! Would rec. Sometimes I think about rereading it.
Anyway, this is something that I dropped in the life-improving habits thread on AskMe that made the sidebar, that might have been better here: I live in the Great Lakes region and am very indoorsy due to disability, so in winter, it's absolutely essential for me to sit by a window a lot with the blinds raised. Sure, lights also exist. No light turned on when I first wake up helps me as much as just pasting the sky onto my eyeballs periodically during daylight hours.
I also like making a beef/potato/mushroom soup in the slow cooker. ^^
posted by verbminx at 8:06 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Anyway, this is something that I dropped in the life-improving habits thread on AskMe that made the sidebar, that might have been better here: I live in the Great Lakes region and am very indoorsy due to disability, so in winter, it's absolutely essential for me to sit by a window a lot with the blinds raised. Sure, lights also exist. No light turned on when I first wake up helps me as much as just pasting the sky onto my eyeballs periodically during daylight hours.
I also like making a beef/potato/mushroom soup in the slow cooker. ^^
posted by verbminx at 8:06 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Christmas here has been the typical Aussie summer - hot, humid, rainy, and in my locality full of frogs (and therefore snakes) and I am seriously considering adding "Snowy Christmas" to my bucket list. I understand that there's a lot of unpleasant things to deal with in a snowy climate but damn, I would just like a different set of problems to deal with for once. Anyone want to swap? Must like reptiles and amphibians.
posted by ninazer0 at 9:22 PM on January 8 [6 favorites]
posted by ninazer0 at 9:22 PM on January 8 [6 favorites]
butt over head?
My favorite spin (har har) on that is "ass over teacups" (or teakettle). ...Which, by the way, would make a good username.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:31 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
My favorite spin (har har) on that is "ass over teacups" (or teakettle). ...Which, by the way, would make a good username.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:31 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
Such good news today: the Quorum of Evil who took over my previous workplace and have been merrily tanking the institution ever since are starting to fall apart. The nepo baby board chair from hell who I directly named in my hostile work environment unemployment claim has resigned and rumor has it that my ex boss, the totally unqualified idiot interim prez, will very soon be joining her, either voluntarily or involuntarily. 😁
I might even be able to get my job back if this keeps up. I’m so glad to see them fall to pieces; I can’t wait to watch their whole nasty house of cards collapse.
In other news my daughter and I rescued a parakeet on Saturday night! It came to the kitchen window, squawking and trying to get in. I went out and it came right to me, so we brought it in. It was so sweet and completely friendly. Kept it overnight - ran out & got a cage and some food and everything - and then yesterday we found the owners via a local Facebook group. So glad we were home! It was much too cold and rainy out there for a little budgie.
posted by mygothlaundry at 10:21 PM on January 8 [16 favorites]
I might even be able to get my job back if this keeps up. I’m so glad to see them fall to pieces; I can’t wait to watch their whole nasty house of cards collapse.
In other news my daughter and I rescued a parakeet on Saturday night! It came to the kitchen window, squawking and trying to get in. I went out and it came right to me, so we brought it in. It was so sweet and completely friendly. Kept it overnight - ran out & got a cage and some food and everything - and then yesterday we found the owners via a local Facebook group. So glad we were home! It was much too cold and rainy out there for a little budgie.
posted by mygothlaundry at 10:21 PM on January 8 [16 favorites]
I am enjoying the last few days of summer as I prepare to return from Perth, Western Australia to my home in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday. I'm in Perth visiting family for the holidays; my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew live here, and I cherish my time with them.
It's early afternoon and the sea breeze has come in, making the beach too windy to be enjoyable. My sister and I will take the dogs to the beach tomorrow.
There's nowhere I'd rather be.
posted by workerant at 10:34 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
It's early afternoon and the sea breeze has come in, making the beach too windy to be enjoyable. My sister and I will take the dogs to the beach tomorrow.
There's nowhere I'd rather be.
posted by workerant at 10:34 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
It's about 7 am. I've been up for an hour.
In 2 hours I will head to Manhattan and proceed to a theater, and I will be staying put in there for the next twelve hours, learning all the technical foobaz about the play I'm doing; we have the cues dry run with the designers at 10, then the actors get there at 1 and we see what all the tech stuff looks like from 1-5, and then we break for an hour and then try running the show with all the technical mischegas for the first time. Then I get home at 11, collapse, and then I have to get up early tomorrow again because of an 11 am dentist appointment, from which I will proceed immediately back to the theater for a 9 hour day.
Then we open on Thursday.
Gah.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:54 AM on January 9 [8 favorites]
In 2 hours I will head to Manhattan and proceed to a theater, and I will be staying put in there for the next twelve hours, learning all the technical foobaz about the play I'm doing; we have the cues dry run with the designers at 10, then the actors get there at 1 and we see what all the tech stuff looks like from 1-5, and then we break for an hour and then try running the show with all the technical mischegas for the first time. Then I get home at 11, collapse, and then I have to get up early tomorrow again because of an 11 am dentist appointment, from which I will proceed immediately back to the theater for a 9 hour day.
Then we open on Thursday.
Gah.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:54 AM on January 9 [8 favorites]
"wintry mix" in Toronto. bleah
posted by seanmpuckett at 7:28 AM on January 9 [1 favorite]
posted by seanmpuckett at 7:28 AM on January 9 [1 favorite]
Winter in Toronto is usually bleh: any significant snowfall gums up the city, and it gets dirty and gray pretty fast. The air is usually chilly and damp.This year, unusually warm and no accumulated snow yet, though Sunday it's predicted that we will get a dump.
North of the city, winter is nicer. Colder and dryer, with actual clean snow. Great cross-country skiing. Bonus if you have a friend who invites you up to their rural property for a few days.
Otherwise, winter is for geeking out. I'm restoring some long-hoarded electronics, attempting some programming projects, thinking again about model trains. I intend to set up a bike on a stationary stand in the basement, so I don't completely atrophy.
Our Dr is a fan of vitamin D supplements. A deficiency in D can diminish your immune response, among other things.
posted by Artful Codger at 7:32 AM on January 9 [1 favorite]
North of the city, winter is nicer. Colder and dryer, with actual clean snow. Great cross-country skiing. Bonus if you have a friend who invites you up to their rural property for a few days.
Otherwise, winter is for geeking out. I'm restoring some long-hoarded electronics, attempting some programming projects, thinking again about model trains. I intend to set up a bike on a stationary stand in the basement, so I don't completely atrophy.
Our Dr is a fan of vitamin D supplements. A deficiency in D can diminish your immune response, among other things.
posted by Artful Codger at 7:32 AM on January 9 [1 favorite]
mygothlaundry - hooray for your good news! I so hope you DO get your job back, if they manage to turn the place back into a place that would be hospitable for you. And I'm glad you had a nice parakeet visit - thanks for looking after it while it was with you!
posted by kristi at 8:11 AM on January 9 [2 favorites]
posted by kristi at 8:11 AM on January 9 [2 favorites]
A friend of ours who works for the city's Film & TV department let me know that our fave shared director, Guillermo del Toro, will be back in February to shoot parts of his future Frankenstein movie here. He did some location scouting earlier in 2023, and with the exception of one natural feature we do not have, found our area to be excellent for the project. (The rest will be filmed in Toronto and Ireland.) He used our lovely downtown square for scenes in Crimson Peak. With a cast list that includes Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, and Jacob Elordi (replacing Andrew Garfield), Kingston should be interesting next month!
posted by Kitteh at 10:19 AM on January 9 [7 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 10:19 AM on January 9 [7 favorites]
Winter in Milan is mostly grey, but gone are the great fogs of history.
From the office terrace I can see the mountains straight north, Lario lake and behind them Switzerland, covered in the snow we have been missing in the last month.
Because yesterday was a very Monday Monday, I bought myself a vintage sewing machine on eBay, not realising it was missing a bit, and now will have to find someone to machine it.
Vitamin D is working for me thought, it's like putting fingers in the plug and lighting up the brain. But not about missing sewing machine bits.
posted by thegirlwiththehat at 3:47 PM on January 9 [3 favorites]
From the office terrace I can see the mountains straight north, Lario lake and behind them Switzerland, covered in the snow we have been missing in the last month.
Because yesterday was a very Monday Monday, I bought myself a vintage sewing machine on eBay, not realising it was missing a bit, and now will have to find someone to machine it.
Vitamin D is working for me thought, it's like putting fingers in the plug and lighting up the brain. But not about missing sewing machine bits.
posted by thegirlwiththehat at 3:47 PM on January 9 [3 favorites]
New Jersey, USA, and I love winter. It's when I prefer to visit the shore - even on brutally cold days. It's magical, as long as you dress for it. The crispness of the air is exhilarating to me!
This soaking rain, and forceful winds tonight is making me a bit nervous though. Hoping everyone in the path of this storm stays safe.
posted by annieb at 4:30 PM on January 9 [4 favorites]
This soaking rain, and forceful winds tonight is making me a bit nervous though. Hoping everyone in the path of this storm stays safe.
posted by annieb at 4:30 PM on January 9 [4 favorites]
The doctor’s appointment I mentioned above was today. It was…
I have never felt that comfortable with a medical professional in my entire life. A trans doctor who got so much of what I was trying to deal with, and marked in my notes that I was “erudite” and “charming”. We went through my medical history, she made notes about things I did that she feels are indicative of adding PTSD into my list of brain issues (my tendency to fawn in the fight/flight/freeze/fawn, my inability to accept compliments, my severe procrastination as signs) and she told me my hair was looking really good.
Then she sent me what she called “vampire central” and I got blood taken, and in six weeks we regroup and discuss.
This is my new GP and I am absolutely happy.
posted by mephron at 5:34 PM on January 9 [12 favorites]
I have never felt that comfortable with a medical professional in my entire life. A trans doctor who got so much of what I was trying to deal with, and marked in my notes that I was “erudite” and “charming”. We went through my medical history, she made notes about things I did that she feels are indicative of adding PTSD into my list of brain issues (my tendency to fawn in the fight/flight/freeze/fawn, my inability to accept compliments, my severe procrastination as signs) and she told me my hair was looking really good.
Then she sent me what she called “vampire central” and I got blood taken, and in six weeks we regroup and discuss.
This is my new GP and I am absolutely happy.
posted by mephron at 5:34 PM on January 9 [12 favorites]
I have utterly struck out on getting anyone else to do a limitations letter or getting anyone else to submit anything that will be taken. I'm still stuck waiting till next week, sigh.
Though on the good news side, I bought a ticket for $95 off a scam website last month and requested that the payment be stopped, and the bank has finally decided to let me keep my money permanently. HUZZAH.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:52 PM on January 9 [2 favorites]
Though on the good news side, I bought a ticket for $95 off a scam website last month and requested that the payment be stopped, and the bank has finally decided to let me keep my money permanently. HUZZAH.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:52 PM on January 9 [2 favorites]
A week or so late, but I've decided my New Year's resolution is to spend no time in 2024 engaging with people being dipshits.
I will not point it out when I spot people engaging in dipshittery in the wild and I will absolutely not spend any energy explaining myself to dipshits.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:50 AM on January 10 [5 favorites]
I will not point it out when I spot people engaging in dipshittery in the wild and I will absolutely not spend any energy explaining myself to dipshits.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:50 AM on January 10 [5 favorites]
I made a very cute paper bag puppet with my preschoolers this morning. Tomorrow we're making English muffin pizzas. My lesson plans are done for the next 5 weeks. My dance classes start back tomorrow and I'm looking forward to that. I'm actually thinking about signing up for the ballet class with the teens now that I've gotten my groove back.
posted by kathrynm at 11:29 AM on January 10 [2 favorites]
posted by kathrynm at 11:29 AM on January 10 [2 favorites]
It's not just the cold, it's the dark. I love long days of summer, such a luxury. We had lots of warm 50F/ 10C weather in December, only 1 measurable snow stayed for a few days. Over the weekend we got over a foot of lovely fluffy snow, a well-predicted storm. I snow-blowered the driveway, but I think it's about time I got a reliable plow guy. And then we had warm weather and lots of rain. It's 49F and sunny and I'll go clean up the driveway in a bit. If/ when the remaining wet snow freezes, it'll be like concrete. The driveway is mostly clear, there's snow in the wooded areas, but it won't last in these temps.
Over the last few winters, I upgraded my winter clothes to add wool sweaters that fit my current weight, down and fleece and gore-tex outerwear. I need to replace the boots whose zipper the dog chewed, but that Scandi saying - There's no bad weather, just bad gear - is not entirely wrong. I've had asthma since a cold in October but if I'm bundled up, I can manage.
The US Election season is out of the gate. It's bizarre and horrible. Every election since 1980 has felt critical, and has been. Can we establish a MeFi retirement community of expats someplace? When we were canvassing, a house had lots of signs for really nasty candidates. Then, on Buy Nothing, someone said they had an item I needed, and the signs were gone but I remembered the house. Nice, generous fellow. It's a mystery.
posted by theora55 at 11:57 AM on January 10 [3 favorites]
Over the last few winters, I upgraded my winter clothes to add wool sweaters that fit my current weight, down and fleece and gore-tex outerwear. I need to replace the boots whose zipper the dog chewed, but that Scandi saying - There's no bad weather, just bad gear - is not entirely wrong. I've had asthma since a cold in October but if I'm bundled up, I can manage.
The US Election season is out of the gate. It's bizarre and horrible. Every election since 1980 has felt critical, and has been. Can we establish a MeFi retirement community of expats someplace? When we were canvassing, a house had lots of signs for really nasty candidates. Then, on Buy Nothing, someone said they had an item I needed, and the signs were gone but I remembered the house. Nice, generous fellow. It's a mystery.
posted by theora55 at 11:57 AM on January 10 [3 favorites]
We're on a break between our run-through for the show this afternoon, and our final dress tonight. I got an hour break, but we're in a part of the city that's a bit devoid of cheap restaurants, and I wasn't hungry anyway; so I stayed put at the theater, hiding up in the booth and nibbling at the random things I'd scrounged throughout the day. So my "dinner" was a banana and a Butterfinger bar out of a vending machine, supplemented by a thermos of green tea I'd made myself this morning.
This is 100% in character with other Emergency Stage Manager Dinner Meal Plans I've had in the past and I'm all sentimental now.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:44 PM on January 10 [2 favorites]
This is 100% in character with other Emergency Stage Manager Dinner Meal Plans I've had in the past and I'm all sentimental now.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:44 PM on January 10 [2 favorites]
My neighbour has started leaving me notes in all caps red ink ranting about me wearing headphones (I'm autistic and have severe noise sensitivity so I'm always wearing headphones). She ties these notes to the plants right next to to where I water my garden every morning so I can't help seeing them.
I wasn't 100% sure if these notes are directed at me - but my husband went to talk to her to find out if there might be some kind of misunderstanding, and no, they are directed at me. Despite the fact that my interaction with her has never gone beyond a smile and a wave, and maybe a warning about late rubbish collection etc - she's decided that my husband and I hate her, and that I'm jealous of her garden, am copying her somehow, etc etc. She thinks I'm judging how she speaks to her family? I don't know why?
I've decided to deal with it by completely avoiding her and not even reading her notes, which means sneaking out at sunrise to water my garden, which makes me feel ridiculous. What do I do when I see her in passing? Smile and wave as usual?
Trying to evict her from my head - I'm sorry for her, I know that her stuff really has nothing to do with me but it's horrible feeling self conscious about doing something as innocuous as wearing headphones, for gods sake.
posted by Zumbador at 10:25 PM on January 10 [7 favorites]
I wasn't 100% sure if these notes are directed at me - but my husband went to talk to her to find out if there might be some kind of misunderstanding, and no, they are directed at me. Despite the fact that my interaction with her has never gone beyond a smile and a wave, and maybe a warning about late rubbish collection etc - she's decided that my husband and I hate her, and that I'm jealous of her garden, am copying her somehow, etc etc. She thinks I'm judging how she speaks to her family? I don't know why?
I've decided to deal with it by completely avoiding her and not even reading her notes, which means sneaking out at sunrise to water my garden, which makes me feel ridiculous. What do I do when I see her in passing? Smile and wave as usual?
Trying to evict her from my head - I'm sorry for her, I know that her stuff really has nothing to do with me but it's horrible feeling self conscious about doing something as innocuous as wearing headphones, for gods sake.
posted by Zumbador at 10:25 PM on January 10 [7 favorites]
Zumbador, sounds like you could use my resolution as well. This person is a dipshit. They will be a dipshit if you explain yourself as surely as if you do not explain yourself. The only things you get to decide are if you will spend any energy tilting against that particular windmill and whether you'd like to let a dipshit neighbor ruin your own joy in your own garden. Be free, wear headphones, I'd say.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:15 AM on January 11 [5 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:15 AM on January 11 [5 favorites]
(So yes, I'm basically resolving to be a diffident old crank. Don't step on my joy.)
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:22 AM on January 11 [3 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:22 AM on January 11 [3 favorites]
Yes DOT that's a good resolution. Very much applicable in this case.
posted by Zumbador at 5:43 AM on January 11 [1 favorite]
posted by Zumbador at 5:43 AM on January 11 [1 favorite]
Zumbador, your neighbor sounds like they could have significant mental illness. It's not you, it's them.
posted by theora55 at 7:49 AM on January 11 [3 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 7:49 AM on January 11 [3 favorites]
Checking in from The Day Of Our First Public Performance.
I forgot to mention that we had the staff of the venue come visit our afternoon rehearsal for a little welcome wagon. This was a venue that was carved out of an office building like 20 years ago; it has 3 performance spaces in different sizes, and they're very well stocked with some technical elements. Each space has its own dedicated dressing room, communication system, control booth with cables and control boards, an assortment of stage lights, and a basic package of intercoms, walkie-talkies, and suchlike that you can request. They handle the box office for you, they also do some marketing for you. ....I was actually working on a show during its inaugural season 20 years ago and my friend C was one of the people the organizers consulted when it came to "what should a rental venue have available for theaters".
They've apparently also started having these kinds of meet-and-greets, where the marketing team prepares little "welcome bags" for everyone in the show - little tote bags with a branded water bottle, a sticker, and (most importantly) a guide to the neighborhood, with a list of "actual cheap restaurants nearby" so we aren't all stuck brown-bagging it or hitting up one of the restaurants catering to the corporate offices also in the area (we are around the corner from one of Trump's properties, alas, which should give you an idea of the kind of place we're in). It was a nice touch.
The final dress was a bit....fraught; people were blowing cues, the crew forgot a couple props, someone knocked over a water glass in the middle of their scene, and I was late on a couple light cues because I just plain couldn't see well enough. But it was all the kind of mistakes we were able to get ourselves out of and low-key enough that it was dealable. Also the "oh-shit" panic moments we all had will force us all to REALLY concentrate tonight.
The director and I split a cab home and I slept until about 9 am. I don't have to be at the theater until about 6, so I'm going to stay holed up at home until 5; I'm not even going to get out of pajamas until sometime in the afternoon.
I treated myself to a small cheap rice cooker that arrived yesterday afternoon - I'm in a bit of a Japanese cuisine kick these days, with an emphasis on bentos, and I thought that might help with the morning bento packing when I'm back in the work flow - I got something that also steams food in a basket over the rice, so I'm thinking it'd be perfect for starting some rice first thing when I wake up and steaming the other stuff on top, and then it can be cooling down when I'm getting dressed and then I just throw everything into the box and go. (Or, if I want it hot, I can throw it directly into the thermos right away.) My roommate doesn't have a door on his bedroom (we have a weird apartment layout) so I haven't been able to heat things in the morning, and I'm thinking this may be a quieter - and better - alternative anyway. I may try it out this afternoon for a late lunch of rice with frozen dumplings and some other veg on the sides.
As for last night when I got home - I did have something above and beyond the banana and Butterfinger I had at 5:30: I had a slice of cake. And then didn't brush my teeth before bed. (I had just had a dentist cleaning and checkup at 11 am yesterday, and the hygienist said I was doing so well otherwise that my cleaning only took 20 minutes - so I figured I'd earned that moment of misbehavior.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:11 AM on January 11 [3 favorites]
I forgot to mention that we had the staff of the venue come visit our afternoon rehearsal for a little welcome wagon. This was a venue that was carved out of an office building like 20 years ago; it has 3 performance spaces in different sizes, and they're very well stocked with some technical elements. Each space has its own dedicated dressing room, communication system, control booth with cables and control boards, an assortment of stage lights, and a basic package of intercoms, walkie-talkies, and suchlike that you can request. They handle the box office for you, they also do some marketing for you. ....I was actually working on a show during its inaugural season 20 years ago and my friend C was one of the people the organizers consulted when it came to "what should a rental venue have available for theaters".
They've apparently also started having these kinds of meet-and-greets, where the marketing team prepares little "welcome bags" for everyone in the show - little tote bags with a branded water bottle, a sticker, and (most importantly) a guide to the neighborhood, with a list of "actual cheap restaurants nearby" so we aren't all stuck brown-bagging it or hitting up one of the restaurants catering to the corporate offices also in the area (we are around the corner from one of Trump's properties, alas, which should give you an idea of the kind of place we're in). It was a nice touch.
The final dress was a bit....fraught; people were blowing cues, the crew forgot a couple props, someone knocked over a water glass in the middle of their scene, and I was late on a couple light cues because I just plain couldn't see well enough. But it was all the kind of mistakes we were able to get ourselves out of and low-key enough that it was dealable. Also the "oh-shit" panic moments we all had will force us all to REALLY concentrate tonight.
The director and I split a cab home and I slept until about 9 am. I don't have to be at the theater until about 6, so I'm going to stay holed up at home until 5; I'm not even going to get out of pajamas until sometime in the afternoon.
I treated myself to a small cheap rice cooker that arrived yesterday afternoon - I'm in a bit of a Japanese cuisine kick these days, with an emphasis on bentos, and I thought that might help with the morning bento packing when I'm back in the work flow - I got something that also steams food in a basket over the rice, so I'm thinking it'd be perfect for starting some rice first thing when I wake up and steaming the other stuff on top, and then it can be cooling down when I'm getting dressed and then I just throw everything into the box and go. (Or, if I want it hot, I can throw it directly into the thermos right away.) My roommate doesn't have a door on his bedroom (we have a weird apartment layout) so I haven't been able to heat things in the morning, and I'm thinking this may be a quieter - and better - alternative anyway. I may try it out this afternoon for a late lunch of rice with frozen dumplings and some other veg on the sides.
As for last night when I got home - I did have something above and beyond the banana and Butterfinger I had at 5:30: I had a slice of cake. And then didn't brush my teeth before bed. (I had just had a dentist cleaning and checkup at 11 am yesterday, and the hygienist said I was doing so well otherwise that my cleaning only took 20 minutes - so I figured I'd earned that moment of misbehavior.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:11 AM on January 11 [3 favorites]
Break a leg EmpressCallipygos!
posted by Windopaene at 8:23 AM on January 11 [1 favorite]
posted by Windopaene at 8:23 AM on January 11 [1 favorite]
What do I do when I see her in passing? Smile and wave as usual?
Absolutely, yes! It'll annoy the hell out of her, but how can she complain about it? ("She waved at me in a friendly fashion!! *tsk* The absolute nerve!")
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:19 AM on January 11 [4 favorites]
Absolutely, yes! It'll annoy the hell out of her, but how can she complain about it? ("She waved at me in a friendly fashion!! *tsk* The absolute nerve!")
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:19 AM on January 11 [4 favorites]
These days, it seems like perhaps the stars are aligning in a new and better way. I don't want to jinx it, so no details.
But in the small everyday stuff, I found the most beautiful enameled cast iron pan and I got it for free because I've given the dealer some stuff over time. Googling, I found it was designed as a paella pan, just to give you an idea of the size and shape. It's a typical smooth 1960s design, blue on the outside and white inside, and in perfect condition. I don't want to link to the sites I found, because I don't find them reliable, but if you are interested in vintage cast iron, the brand is COPCO or NACCO. What a treasure! And also a confirmation of the karma laws. The dealer had set the price at about 100 dollars. I can't wait to make a paella, but in our household, it's probably going to be used for a lot of shakshukas. And risottos. And a couple of stews, like osso buco or something with chicken in it. It's so beautiful, you can take it directly from the stove to the table.
posted by mumimor at 11:08 AM on January 11 [2 favorites]
But in the small everyday stuff, I found the most beautiful enameled cast iron pan and I got it for free because I've given the dealer some stuff over time. Googling, I found it was designed as a paella pan, just to give you an idea of the size and shape. It's a typical smooth 1960s design, blue on the outside and white inside, and in perfect condition. I don't want to link to the sites I found, because I don't find them reliable, but if you are interested in vintage cast iron, the brand is COPCO or NACCO. What a treasure! And also a confirmation of the karma laws. The dealer had set the price at about 100 dollars. I can't wait to make a paella, but in our household, it's probably going to be used for a lot of shakshukas. And risottos. And a couple of stews, like osso buco or something with chicken in it. It's so beautiful, you can take it directly from the stove to the table.
posted by mumimor at 11:08 AM on January 11 [2 favorites]
Just in case anyone was getting the idea that my life was ONLY about the show...
....So, when I got laid off in July, I elected to continue my dental insurance ONLY through Cobra, because a) I was midway through some major dental work and b) it was considerably cheaper. I had a cleaning in about August, and I had some upcoming appointments due for this month.
Well - when I went to those appointments, I was surprised to hear that they'd called my insurance - and were told that "that policy was terminated in September." Which was odd, because I'd been making my regular payments to Cobra and was current.
I called Cobra and they verified that yes, according to their records I had a valid Cigna account. I thought that maybe my old company just switched the policy, and there was a new plan number; so I reached out to them.
They wrote back to say that they did indeed switch the policy....to a different insurance company entirely.
So. I have no idea what this Cigna policy is that Cobra says I have, or if I even am covered by the new company's policy, or WHAT is going on. Fortunately the out-of-pocket costs for what I was getting were affordable, and my dentist said that they could reimburse me once I got the insurance situation sorted out; but this is a bit of a wrinkle.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:59 AM on January 11 [2 favorites]
....So, when I got laid off in July, I elected to continue my dental insurance ONLY through Cobra, because a) I was midway through some major dental work and b) it was considerably cheaper. I had a cleaning in about August, and I had some upcoming appointments due for this month.
Well - when I went to those appointments, I was surprised to hear that they'd called my insurance - and were told that "that policy was terminated in September." Which was odd, because I'd been making my regular payments to Cobra and was current.
I called Cobra and they verified that yes, according to their records I had a valid Cigna account. I thought that maybe my old company just switched the policy, and there was a new plan number; so I reached out to them.
They wrote back to say that they did indeed switch the policy....to a different insurance company entirely.
So. I have no idea what this Cigna policy is that Cobra says I have, or if I even am covered by the new company's policy, or WHAT is going on. Fortunately the out-of-pocket costs for what I was getting were affordable, and my dentist said that they could reimburse me once I got the insurance situation sorted out; but this is a bit of a wrinkle.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:59 AM on January 11 [2 favorites]
Not to jinx it but we have lined up a cat adoption that almost certainly will not fall through but there's a chance, right? Not getting hopes up. A kitty in need of a home like ours who is almost exactly like the kind of kitty our home needs. Spike not getting enough enrichment in his enclosure because the monkeys sleep or are working when he wants interact. More news in the next few days; if all goes well we will be welcoming home an 11 month old kitty named Luna.
posted by seanmpuckett at 3:57 PM on January 11 [7 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 3:57 PM on January 11 [7 favorites]
So I did the thing.
Sent FB friend requests to all the folks I knew in MS/HS. Just to see who would accept, who is still on fucking FB? But, just to see what happens. They were all important, even if they were terrible. But, nostalgia...
Would love to know how their lives worked out. The folks who were popular, the folks who were not. 30+ years later, we all are in a different headspace than we were at 15-18...
Might be an interesting experiment. Where in the world is [name redacted].?
posted by Windopaene at 9:37 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
Sent FB friend requests to all the folks I knew in MS/HS. Just to see who would accept, who is still on fucking FB? But, just to see what happens. They were all important, even if they were terrible. But, nostalgia...
Would love to know how their lives worked out. The folks who were popular, the folks who were not. 30+ years later, we all are in a different headspace than we were at 15-18...
Might be an interesting experiment. Where in the world is [name redacted].?
posted by Windopaene at 9:37 PM on January 11 [1 favorite]
Sorry I didn't see you earlier, elkevelvet: @Harald74, what birthday whisky would that be?
It's a Highland Park 12 yo single malt. I got the Lego set together without any mishaps, going easy on the whisky.
posted by Harald74 at 6:17 AM on January 12 [2 favorites]
It's a Highland Park 12 yo single malt. I got the Lego set together without any mishaps, going easy on the whisky.
posted by Harald74 at 6:17 AM on January 12 [2 favorites]
My Christmas scotch (from Mrs C) is also a 12 yr-old - Loch Lomond. I mostly go for Islay malts like Laphroaig and Lagavulin, but this one is nice too.
Wow, you built your LEGO Defender pretty quickly. It took me 5+ years to complete a LEGO "Emerald Night" steam engine set (which are now stupid expensive), mostly because I'd do a little then put it away for a year or more. But I completed it this year and then added custom LED lighting, and it looks amazing lit up on the shelf. Your Defender would look cool too with working headlights & taillights, etc.
There's a LEGO LEM Module kit in my cupboard, issued in 2021 to mark the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing. I might start that one in February. Wintering.
posted by Artful Codger at 9:26 AM on January 12 [1 favorite]
Wow, you built your LEGO Defender pretty quickly. It took me 5+ years to complete a LEGO "Emerald Night" steam engine set (which are now stupid expensive), mostly because I'd do a little then put it away for a year or more. But I completed it this year and then added custom LED lighting, and it looks amazing lit up on the shelf. Your Defender would look cool too with working headlights & taillights, etc.
There's a LEGO LEM Module kit in my cupboard, issued in 2021 to mark the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing. I might start that one in February. Wintering.
posted by Artful Codger at 9:26 AM on January 12 [1 favorite]
Winter arrived here in Puget Sound with a bang yesterday. We got three or so inches of snow but its the temps. It went from 50F at start of week to 20F now, and my buddy up the road says his porch thermo read 6F this morning. That's too darn cold for us. Pup and I have to go walkies here soon, I'd like to investigate yesterday's downed powerline (which actually caught the brush on fire, first time I've ever seen that happen, though I know it does happen), but I think the snow will have covered the evidence.
Of course the 4x4 is out of action, perfect timing, so I'll have to see if the county has salted and sanded. If not, the giant elderly 2wd pickup will stay in the carport and no deli hot sandwich for us tonight. Humph! I say.
posted by maxwelton at 12:38 PM on January 12 [1 favorite]
Of course the 4x4 is out of action, perfect timing, so I'll have to see if the county has salted and sanded. If not, the giant elderly 2wd pickup will stay in the carport and no deli hot sandwich for us tonight. Humph! I say.
posted by maxwelton at 12:38 PM on January 12 [1 favorite]
Yes, it's not going to get above freezing until Sunday. It's 19° Farenheit and sunny right now. My project is keeping our hummingbird in drinkable nectar. Which involves blue taping 6 to 8 Hothands handwarmers to the waist of the feeder bottles plus across the bottom where the ports are. Then blue taping an Amazon bubble wrap sleeping bag around that for insulation and then go hang the feeder. Rinse and repeat when the handwarmers supposed to last 11 hours go cold in 2. That's my schedule 7:30 to 5 the next 2 days. Went out @ 7:15, a half hour before sunrise this morning and he was waiting.
posted by y2karl at 3:26 PM on January 12 [4 favorites]
posted by y2karl at 3:26 PM on January 12 [4 favorites]
Last winter we had 40 days below freezing, enough to freeze the pipes in our upstairs kitchen which was surprising after 20 years of living here and never a frozen pipe before. Turns out, it's not the short deep cold snaps that will do it, it's the more-than-a-month-in-a-freezer thing that does it.
We've already hit our high of 3°F today, going down pretty deep tonight but not hitting -20, and then steadily higher over the next few days until we will have a night above zero by Tuesday.
It's very different having these temps while in my house as opposed to these temps while working in a gigantic warehouse with insufficient heating [because what warehouse has sufficient heating].
posted by hippybear at 4:05 PM on January 12 [1 favorite]
We've already hit our high of 3°F today, going down pretty deep tonight but not hitting -20, and then steadily higher over the next few days until we will have a night above zero by Tuesday.
It's very different having these temps while in my house as opposed to these temps while working in a gigantic warehouse with insufficient heating [because what warehouse has sufficient heating].
posted by hippybear at 4:05 PM on January 12 [1 favorite]
We had exactly the same experience in our previous house wrt to extended cold periods. In our case it was not the pipes that burst, but the water meter. Made a lovely fountain in the basement when it thawed out. Luckily I was waiting for it - but the stop valve was still seized with ice. Some frenetic jury rigging ensued to get the brisk stream of water out of the house while I waited for the stop valve to clear.
posted by Harald74 at 10:34 PM on January 12 [1 favorite]
posted by Harald74 at 10:34 PM on January 12 [1 favorite]
Yeah, and it was in the middle of the night. Managing to turn of the water and wait until opening hours to call the plumber was a significant cost saving.
posted by Harald74 at 10:37 PM on January 12 [1 favorite]
posted by Harald74 at 10:37 PM on January 12 [1 favorite]
The first year in our current house we learned that the pipes in our kitchen sink (installed within an outer wall) and the water main (installed in the garage) would freeze during short, severe cold snaps. We inherited a heated “blanket” for the main from the previous owners, but it failed one night. Several hundred dollars to thaw out the main and spouse does a routine check of the heater now. And the pipes were moved to inside the cabinet once it was warm enough to do the work.
Spouse and I are mostly recovered, aside from some random body aches and a cough. Kiddo never got sick. Last night I binged Mad Men (the series arc of Harry Crane managing to obliviously and haplessly succeed upwards is so delightful) and put together the LEGO Succulents. I have several other kits waiting to be built. And I’m trying very hard to stay off of the LEGO website and not succeeding because Natural History Museum! More Flowers! Gringotts! At least the plague is keeping me out of the LEGO store.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:15 AM on January 13 [1 favorite]
Spouse and I are mostly recovered, aside from some random body aches and a cough. Kiddo never got sick. Last night I binged Mad Men (the series arc of Harry Crane managing to obliviously and haplessly succeed upwards is so delightful) and put together the LEGO Succulents. I have several other kits waiting to be built. And I’m trying very hard to stay off of the LEGO website and not succeeding because Natural History Museum! More Flowers! Gringotts! At least the plague is keeping me out of the LEGO store.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:15 AM on January 13 [1 favorite]
Ok after tenterhooking we have an appointment to meet and pick up (if everyone is happy) new cat tomorrow afternoon. This is a “facilitated adoption” through the Toronto Humane Society which means the previous cat caregiver has said they need to give up the cat but can keep it home until a new caregiver is screened and selected by the THS. It seems like a good system with low trauma for cat and good chance of finding the right forever home.
posted by seanmpuckett at 7:55 AM on January 13 [4 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 7:55 AM on January 13 [4 favorites]
I half-awoke a few times during the night, and let the sound of the blustery wind through the trees lull me back to sleep. This morning the temperature is in the low teens, the wind's still blustering, and it's blowing big fat flakes around. The ground's barely covered but it's still nice to see some snow - the first, and maybe only, we'll see in an otherwise very mild winter (thanks to El Niño). I'm enjoying it while I can...from inside the house!
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:08 AM on January 13 [2 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:08 AM on January 13 [2 favorites]
The new family member has arrived. Here is a face.
posted by seanmpuckett at 1:01 PM on January 14 [5 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 1:01 PM on January 14 [5 favorites]
OOOH I LOVE HIM FACE
posted by Kitteh at 2:15 PM on January 14 [3 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 2:15 PM on January 14 [3 favorites]
Luna (for that is her name) is quite shy yet, as one would expect. She's under the couch, or in the back corner of my desk. But she has found the water, and been shown the box. And she really likes to be touched, and I have had a purr, with my hand stuck back in the darkness feeling the softness of her fur and gentle curiosity. We are told she will be a handful, as she's a Siamese / Bengal mix. Her old caregivers had to give her up despite loving her, for reasons we're not privy to. Right now she's just a scared little kitty in a new situation coming to grips with the rest of her life. We'll do our best by her, and know she'll do her best by us once she's settled.
posted by seanmpuckett at 2:33 PM on January 14
posted by seanmpuckett at 2:33 PM on January 14
Luna is an excellent cat.
posted by maxwelton at 2:55 PM on January 14 [1 favorite]
posted by maxwelton at 2:55 PM on January 14 [1 favorite]
Congrats on the new addition to your family seanmpuckett. Luna is a most excellent kitty.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:01 PM on January 14 [2 favorites]
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:01 PM on January 14 [2 favorites]
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[1] English biscuits, not those weird bloated scone things folk eat over (nods towards distant western horizon) there.
[2] Tho' also I take a 3000IU vitamin D oral spray every day which possibly helps in multiple ways.
posted by Wordshore at 2:33 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]