because holidays

"And here I am sitting again, yes, sitting again by this faithful lamp, feeling indescribably serene and unhurried. I shall travel this day's path quite calmly and just take a little holiday—my eyes and head are slightly overstressed and overstrained. One must have the patience to do a little less."

–Etty Hillesum

photo friday: light

Four days into the new year.

The first day of 2013 I made a list of things to do. Not resolutions mind you, things like "make dentist appointment" and "buy happier hen book for J" and a slightly guilt-produced "potty training!" Then I got sick, and all I've done since is update my pinterest boards. That and take down the Christmas tree.
 
Our Super decided to take the tenants' Christmas tree disposal in hand. I called to schedule its removal and, to my surprise, he arrived with an industrial-sized roll of saran wrap to swaddle the tree. He bent its prickly branches up in a cocoon of of plastic and dry needles. In my amazement I forgot to ask whether he planned on removing the plastic when he put the trees out for pickup—I imagine a plastic-wrapped tree isn't likely to be recycled. He, however, asked why such a large tree, and why a live one? He recommends fake: cheaper, less mess.

But our apartment now seems much larger, an empty space in place all that twinkling. I've been burning candles to keep the cheer. Which brings us to light, the subject of today's Photo Friday. Outdoors has not been much inspiration, I admit: when it isn't snowing or gusting, it's been very cold and gray. Little sunlight here and there, but not the kind of weather for someone with sniffles to hang about in, waiting for the clouds to move off. So these photos are old.

I have other things to say. Things about resolutions I think I should make. Like eating more greens. Or doing a sketch a day. Less grouching at and threatening of the 4-year-old. My mind has been full of things that I could blog about, but now that I'm here my thoughts are all blankish. I want a new camera, but that is not a resolution.

So: Happy posting, Happy New Year, happy, happy.

photo friday: christmas

Merry Christmas to all, particularly any of you with enough time on your hands to post photos four days before Christmas. I'm pretty much ready for the holiday, besides of course any kind of food preparation that might be expected of me. I can't really get into that sort of thing, I prefer to languish around in the hope that some kind neighbor will show up with a plate of frosted cookies. And then, I can always rely on Charles to procure some sort of meaty dish when he realizes all his wife has the inspiration for is broccoli. That said, I may make traditional palacinkas Christmas morning.

And, in case you were worried, that ghostly thing in the foreground of the last diptych is not the Ghost of Christmas Past, but a glow-in-the-dark Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton Ike was trying to get into the photo.



P. S. Here's our Christmas card—Christ is born!

santa's sweatshop

Things have been a little hectic here in Minnesota, where the whole Christmas machine is well-oiled and constantly needs more kulich, sausage, Wisconsin cheddar, and another log on the fire. I've noticed that John slinks off to the computer while I've taken to hiding behind my bed with the cell phone when the reclusive Schley traits take over. I miss my family, really, although I can't imagine what it would like to be with them, especially all in the same room. Or even spread out in differerent rooms over different days.

There is something about this Christmas, though, that has made me miss home. Portland, Oregon home--rain instead of snow, peace signs on roofs fashioned of Christmas lights, services at Saint Nicholas, paganish Portlanders celebrating Christmas with coffee and the Beattles.

Nonetheless, I think that home can made be anywhere--that a sense of place is not just familiar geography and cultural understanding. I talked to Veronika in Moscow this morning (she doesn't celebrate Christmas until January 7th), and her voice is also home. As is Rachel's, who's celebrating Christmas this year with walks on the beach in California. And this year home is made here in Minneapolis again, with my best friend, goddaughter, and the newly born Natalie.