Living in a snowy glittering postcard
It's so pretty outside, I've spent most of the day just looking out the windows and going, "It's so pretty!" The cold is staying and it's been snowing on and off today. It's a real fairytale winter. People are skiing and building snowmen and taking their kids sledding. Even Joanie apparently skied around a bit on the field by her cottage. (Skied? Ski'd? How do you spell it?) The snow is a hassle for people who need to get around, lots of trains get cancelled for instance, but I'm still on vacation so it doesn't bother me. ;) And even hassled people can't resist the beauty of it. It lifts everybody's spirits. Fluffy white glittering snow.
But it is cold. I feel sorry for the birds and animals who have to be out in it all the time. Yes, they're adapted for this climate, unlike us African primates, but this cold is severe and I know it's hard even on Nordic animals. I took a walk in the tiny park yesterday and was happy to see that people had hung lots of tallow and peanuts in the trees for the birds. I'll probably start doing it too in a few years. It was nice to see a lot of fat little birds hanging around in the bushes too. They know which side their bread is buttered. That's what makes the tiny park a bird park.
Josie has been with the same guy since sometime last summer. This is a record. And the way she talks about him, too, has indicated something new. She's finally met someone nice who she's in love with. Today I finally got to meet him too, over coffee at her place. His name is Seth and he's a computer tech, like everybody else I know, and I like him. He seemed really mellow, but not withdrawn from the conversation like a lot of guys are around women. Humorous and relaxed. His presence even made the interaction between me and Josie more relaxed than usual, and he made Josie smile and laugh more than usual. He seems to be exactly what she needs. I no longer believe in first impressions at all, based on some pretty dramatic experiences, but I got a good vibe here. Hope it lasts. And hey, he's a cat owner!
Lucy-cat is sleeping under the radiator. She adores radiators in this cold weather, and a warm lap with warm sheltering hands can be good enough too in the evenings.
I feel rested. I've been hibernating for a week now, since the New Year's party at Annie and Charles. Monday I impulsively took Amy and Joey for a long walk in the sun and the snow. Hot chocolate with whipped cream is a must on a day like that, and I had my first semla (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semla) of the year.
But it is cold. I feel sorry for the birds and animals who have to be out in it all the time. Yes, they're adapted for this climate, unlike us African primates, but this cold is severe and I know it's hard even on Nordic animals. I took a walk in the tiny park yesterday and was happy to see that people had hung lots of tallow and peanuts in the trees for the birds. I'll probably start doing it too in a few years. It was nice to see a lot of fat little birds hanging around in the bushes too. They know which side their bread is buttered. That's what makes the tiny park a bird park.
Josie has been with the same guy since sometime last summer. This is a record. And the way she talks about him, too, has indicated something new. She's finally met someone nice who she's in love with. Today I finally got to meet him too, over coffee at her place. His name is Seth and he's a computer tech, like everybody else I know, and I like him. He seemed really mellow, but not withdrawn from the conversation like a lot of guys are around women. Humorous and relaxed. His presence even made the interaction between me and Josie more relaxed than usual, and he made Josie smile and laugh more than usual. He seems to be exactly what she needs. I no longer believe in first impressions at all, based on some pretty dramatic experiences, but I got a good vibe here. Hope it lasts. And hey, he's a cat owner!
Lucy-cat is sleeping under the radiator. She adores radiators in this cold weather, and a warm lap with warm sheltering hands can be good enough too in the evenings.
I feel rested. I've been hibernating for a week now, since the New Year's party at Annie and Charles. Monday I impulsively took Amy and Joey for a long walk in the sun and the snow. Hot chocolate with whipped cream is a must on a day like that, and I had my first semla (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semla) of the year.