Winter Wonderland

The snow advisory that hit Northern Michigan last Friday evening...

The Bare Spot in Dad's Yard

Vinnie and the statue

At least I didn't fly through O'Hare...

Last night, or rather, very early this morning, I returned from a week at mom and dad's for the holiday and a much needed vacation. Pictures will follow highlighting what has turned into TWO bare spots on Dad's "light show" and of the incredible snow fall of my last evening there. Incredibly, it was not the weather on the return trip that got me home at 3 a.m. this morning...

Mom and dad dropped me off at the Saginaw airport; the flight left nearly on time after a quick de-icing for good measure. Still, we arrived in Detroit a few minutes early. As we coasted past all the terminals the Capt came on to tell us that we were early and our "punishment" was to go to a "holding area" as our assigned gate was still occupied. After 15 minutes, we were cruising from the holding area to the gate, where we sat for another 10-15 minutes... apparently, they were not sure what to do with us?!

I started to have deja vu from the flight from Philly to Detroit a week earlier where a storm in Detroit prevented us from landing for 15-20 minutes and I (and others) had to literally RUN from the end of terminal A to terminal C as they had already started boarding before we ever even got off the plane. Luckily, I made it, others did not. I do have to say though, that there was a moment while at a dead run through the airport with 3 Army folks in fatigues that there was some sense of concern among other passengers as we run past.

After de-planing, however, I had a little more time than the previous adventure in Metro--but not much. I didn't have to run, but the flight was listed on time and it was a mere 10 minute, brisk walk to the gate after hitting the bathroom. By the time I got to the gate, I was disappointed to see it had been delayed by about 10 minutes--disappointed because I skipped Einstein Bagels on the way and there wasn't time to run back.

We all got on the plane, it started to leave the terminal and stopped and pulled back in. There was a mechanical problem. After 2 hours of sitting on the plane at the gate, it was determined that the Patriots were in fact going to win the game and we were no further along in fixing the plane than when we started. We were all handed nice vouchers for the inconvenience and asked to get off the plane, make a right and head to another gate where we would get a new plane. Sometime after midnight, we took off.

The kitties have been pleased to have me home, and frankly, I'm wondering if I shouldn't have taken Monday off, too. The workaholic in me, though, simply couldn't conceive of that. Tuesday we will celebrate Calvin's 8th birthday... probably with some kind of beef or salmon snack, as those seem to be his favorites. At this time, Calvin is attacking an empty gift bag... I think that means he's expecting presents?

Succession

I've been thinking about this since it happened a couple days ago, but I think in her blog, Kathyrn Graham puts it so eloquently that I am not sure I can do it anymore justice. "And so it begins..."

In an incredible irony, the very people that the United States have most oppressed throughout our history may hold the key to freedom for all of us.

On Thursday, Lakota Sioux declared their legal succession from the United States, citing article 6 of the Constitution, the hundred plus years of un-honoured treaties and the non-binding adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the United Nations a few months ago (that is non-binding, as in, apparently, our treaties). The latter was of course rejected by the United States who give no rights to anyone who cannot afford to buy them.

Graham goes on to outline the injustices suffered at Wounded Knee, and those still suffered by its most famous imprisoned. And she does a nice job.

What I will be following closely is the response, presentation and what I see as inevitable support by Venezuela and Chile. The overseas presentations will also begin soon, and I wait with eager anticipation the European response. Hopefully, I am not terribly disappointed, so I shall keep my wish list to myself. Sadly, I believe that there would be huge support from Castro in Cuba; and I say sadly because it would serve only to hurt the efforts within the US since so many have been brainwashed as to the "evil" that is Cuba and Castro... but if Castro has done anything that our current administration has not, I would be shocked (well, aside from displaying outright courage of convictions and speaking better English and actually offering to provide real and immediate help to victims of Katrina).

It is often said, at least by this writer, that it takes a people with nothing left to lose to risk it all. I hope more people realize that they, too, have nothing left to lose and join what will be a huge, and no doubt, at times, bloody fight. And the support is greater than what I expected to see. As I've been composing, I noticed David linked to an article about this on his blog and the comments on the article he links show more support than I expected to see... though the expected bigotry is there in full force (and here's a hint folks, if you can't spell "woodwork" then you should refrain from spreading your ignorance and a point of clarification--there are not that many Native casinos). Of course, anonymous Internet support and bravado (as well as racism and hatred) are easy to come by... it's whether or not someone can really stand behind their convictions where we lose the numbers. But it is exciting.

As I feared

As I feared and told my mother would happen... this discussion of my dad's Christmas decorations and the "bare" spot in his yard has lead to at least one person searching for "bare back christmas" action to stumble here. No doubt this post will up the ante.

When Kitties Have Bad Behaviour

Something happened this week in kitty-land. I have no idea what it is, why it is happening or what to even do about it. But, Jake had a timeout a few days ago when he refused to allow Vinnie out of the bedroom. Not only was he hissing, growling and sputtering insanely at Vinnie, he also turned it on me. So, I got Vinnie, who needed to eat and drink out of the bedroom and put Jake in the bathroom. After 20 minutes, he calmed down, came out and things were peaceful... until this morning when I was awoke to hissing, growling and sputtering. Jake was and had been refusing Vinnie access to the litter box and Vinnie, backed into the bathroom, peed all over the rug and shower curtain and was standing in it scared. He literally peed himself.

So, at 6:10 a.m. I was cleaning up cat pee, cleaning up cat and trying to get Jake to calm down. By the time I left for work, late, it seemed that the situation had calmed down, but on the verge of leaving, I'm concerned. The pet sitter was notified of the situation this afternoon and is aware to be alert for this. Jake was sucking up to her pretty good though. It's like he knows.

It has been suggested to me, and I don't know how often it happens, but since I've been very stressed out and dealing with anxiety over work, traveling and the holidays, that perhaps the cat is reacting to my stress. So I am working on de-stressing... working on solid pit of nerves stewing in the bottom of my stomach and generally trying to find some holiday spirit. But you know, the RAIN dampens that just a little.

Local Media Reports on Bare Spot on Mans Yard

So, local Cheboygan, MI, news has spotlighted my parents yard in their edition today with a photograph I've been told. No doubt the "bare spot" being the subject of the area's high investigative journalism. No picture online, but you really don't want that kind of exposure with such a empty spot!

Camels, wisemen, somthing!

It's a terrible tragedy and I can't believe I posted first about a silly fountain when my father is suffering a terrible crisis... the same crisis he has suffered every year since I can remember.

HE HAS A BARE SPOT IN HIS YARD!!

Yes, for as long as I can recall, "Mr. Lightshow" has had a perpetual "bare spot" in his yard. The yard gets no bigger from year to year, and as I recall, this bare spot argument necessitated THREE plastic penguins (because penguins come in packs, in case you, too, were not in the know), I believe there might have been a bevvy of other plastic atrocities that were the result of this bare spot that cannot ever seem to be fulfilled.

This year, he NEEDS something... or so 10 phone calls have informed me. My favorite was while watching a TV show spotlighting decorated homes for the holidays he called and asked how far NYC was from me, and could I just go up there and get whatever it was they had... because late night, stealth thievery operations to other peoples yards is the true spirit of the holiday.

Still, I'm amazed, and somewhat appalled, by what a small plastic camel that can be illuminated will run someone... $40 plus shipping. And I can't believe I found myself falling into the thought that if I purchase this and have it shipped, he will suddenly be quiet about the bare spot. The truth is, I have more fun harassing him about what he can stick in his bare spot than can be measured monetarily. Which reminds me, I have a message about a grim reaper to follow up on...

That's a no-go on the fountain

Yesterday's adventure included a trip out to King of Prussia for a very specific chore and since it was early in the day and the mall yet to be packed with Christmas shoppers, I decided to get my walk in via the mall. And I did, though toward the end, the crowd had arrived, and I, in true holiday spirit, was ready to take a few out.

On the way home, I stopped by the pet store. I've been wanting to get one of those cat water dish/fountains for the boys. I got one and headed home, fearing that Target would be overrun with screaming children and zealous holiday shoppers. I set up the fountain, with my extra help and turned it on. There was immediate feline concern over this contraption under water began to flow. Then the concern was replaced with leeriness and suspicion. Calvin gave in first and was, after his first dip of the tongue, enamoured. He spent the rest of the evening not wanting to share with the other kitties... and peeing.

Today is a different story. After Calvin got sick (probably from eating too much too quickly), he seems to have placed the blame firmly on the fountain...refusing to drink from it and physically trying to move the other water dish away from it. None of them are drinking from it, and I'm afraid it will have to be returned. Hopefully, I still have the receipt.

When cats stop loving Christmas music

So, I was up early this morning, because a certain cat decided at 5:48 a.m. that he in no way could survive if he were not fed immediately. Of course, there was plenty of kibble in the bowl, but canned food was required. Being awake now, and nearly killed my said cat who felt it necessary to show his love and affection walked under my barely coherent feet sending my flying into the counter top while he sat (smiling, I think) purring.

Justice, in addition to 9 Lives, was served as I was looking for a very specific Christmas novelty song on iTunes--one which I knew my father would whole-heartedly get into a snit over when I see something called "Silent Night" by The Jingle Cats. Curious, I click on the sample. I have Jake on my lap at this time and Calvin sleeping (being quite full) behind the laptop. This song is cats meowing to the tune of Silent Night. Calvin is immediately at attention, looking over top of the screen, while Jake is backed up into my chest hissing like a mad fool. Me, I'm laughing too hard to shut it off.

All this before coffee and before 7 a.m.

Thoughts on the week...

So, some thoughts on the week...

• Monday: Another birthday found me questioning my ability to remain 29 for at least another 5-6 years as I combed the aisles at Ulta looking for super moisturizers while wondering if the little chippie sales girl following me around would ever realize that wearing all the make up that they sell isn't the best tactic to making yourself an expert. Nonetheless, Jumana assured me I could continue pulling off 29 for many more years. I'm sure she's lying, but I love her for it anyway.
  
• Tuesday: I wish I could recall the mind numbingly stupid shit that crossed my path on Tuesday. Actually, perhaps I am better off for not.
  
• Wednesday: While doing chest presses at the gym, I was completely disgusted and annoyed by the closed captioning on ESPN... nothing against closed captioning--A LOT against sports figure-heads debating the morality of dog fighting (especially when the context was whether it was any worse or on par with MMA or deer hunting).
  
• Thursday: My gawd, there is weather here in Phila... cold, rain, colder, freezing rain, cold, sleet, colder, snow, and eventually, the locusts will descend upon us.

And tomorrow, I again have the afternoon off. Which is good, very good!

Food nor drug, but the FDA is on it...

There were a few articles today on the topic of the FDA launching an investigation into the safety of tattoos and tattoo ink...

"In addition to infections, the FDA plans to investigate the body’s reaction to tattoo inks, the health and safety of which haven't previously been assessed. "

This is the Bush Administration hard at work... finding the most irrelevant and pointless, not to mention wasteful, things to investigate. Much like the environment, apparently the Bush administration cannot take into account thousands of years of history. Of course, environmental science was obviously flawed having been done via metric measurement, and tattoos, well, you just can't trust native cultures... there's probably lead in the ink and all.

Due to extreme fatigue, probably brought on my the amount of unregulated ink in my skin and not at all from the lack of iron in my system or the lack of sleep the previous evening, I cannot even begin to fully articulate how much this pisses me off.

Quoting Dickens

It's been another busy week followed by a full, but tiring weekend. Finding that tons of shopping, errands, cooking and cleaning have exhausted me to the point that I fall asleep while watching Deck the Halls on HBO before 9 p.m. simply makes me feel old. This is exceptionally bad timing as I sit here on the eve of another birthday. It's bad enough that I have to actually stop and 'do the math' to figure out how old I really am. It's just not right.

Anyway, in the midst of doing more holiday shopping than I feel is right and more baking and cooking for the season than what I found enjoyable yesterday, I sat down to do some cards. I struggle with the cards, because in many ways, it is another waste of the season, but in another, it is a checking point with some of my friends that I miss... I compromised, as I do each holiday season, and in this case, sending a few cards to a few people won out. In doing so, I came across the following Dickens quote that really struck a chord. I chose not to use it in the cards I made, but instead I share it here. I feel it sums things perfectly...

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. - Charles Dickens

I'm not always a Dickens fan, but in this instance, with leagues of time passed, it holds the test. And as for me, I'm taking a break... getting out of the baking, cooking, cleaning, shopping mode I've been in like a crazy person for weeks and going to meet a new friend for walking. Almost serendipitously, we are meeting at the Art Museum, so following the walk we will part ways, and I will journey through the museum... not forgetting this time, my note book.

Peace.

Cooking and Picturing

Recently, I started to experiment cooking with kale. I love it, just never did anything with it... so I decided to make soup... Chicken sausage and Kale... and it is deelish! I've now made it twice. And it is uber-simple: onion, garlic, veg stock, chicken sweet Italian sausage, chopped kale and white beans. Keeps well in the fridge for lunch or dinner during the week!

Also, inspired by a Rachel Ray recipe, I made seared kale with red onion and garlic and a dash of nutmeg... also tres deelish.

In addition to my cooking exploits, I decided to play with food photography. I can say it is much harder than it looks... to get two pictures that look remotely decent took a good 15.

Pictured with the seared kale is a cranberry couscous I also made, which is simply couscous made with veggie stock, parsley and basil, chopped dried figs, a healthy scoop of cranberry butter, a healthy handful of chopped almonds and a slight drizzle of honey (since my cranberry butter is not heavily sweetened). All in all, it was a nice complement not only to the photo, but the kale, too.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

We've been good, really.

We can't account for Jake. We know how it looks.

We don't want anything, we have a lot of toys and treats.

Please, we beg you, take the effing hat. We can't take one more year of this. And we heard her mention they have "new" kitty Christmas costumes at Target... please burn it down. We are cats, not stupid puppies.

Love,

Calvin and Bowie.

Big Snow...

So, um, there was maybe an inch of snow total, as of right now, here in the Phila area. This is apparently a big deal. People are freaking out, the news coverage was insane... covering this Alberta Clipper over the Omaha Mall Shooting and the tanker explosion. I nearly fell off the treadmill trying not to laugh. As I left the office, I was warned, "This isn't Michigan; we don't handle snow well here." Now I know. By the way... I've captured a photo from my balcony. Ghastly.

An orgy of lights...

My shopping expedition began early Friday morning, at about 11:45 p.m. on Friday, I arrived home; 12 hours later, after perusing a craft show and a nearly missed train, I was in the City, debating lunch at Reading Terminal... six hours of shopping later, I was home--and exhausted.

A few highlights...

The Macy's Center City Holiday Light Show... narrated by Julie Andrews an orgy of lights and organ music entertain hundreds. There is also Dicken's Villiage, where one can experience A Christmas Carol on the third floor just next to lingere.

After the explosion of lights and some serious attempts at shopping on Walnut Street before walking around Rittenhouse Square, the lights there are beautiful, and I found the illuminated Menorah a very nice touch... even if I actually did stop for a minute in utter fear that my father would find out there was a "candle holder" like that he could use to fill that "empty spot" in his yard. It's enough, really, that I am on a camel quest.

All in all, the day was cold, but I got a good dent in my holiday and birthday shopping this weekend. DSW is tempting me by sending me a birthday coupon for use in the month of December... and I'm sure there are other temptations awaiting me.