My First Yuletide and last night's adventure
This was the first year I participated in Yuletide, and I was alerted to my story last night! The writer selected Pullman's His Dark Materials to write for me, so if you're a fan, go here to read "Last Ounce of Courage" written for me. It focuses on Balthamos, which is even better; I'd selected him as one of the characters I would be particularly interested in reading about. I'm about to write a review for my author. I forgot to note that before all the snow came, I saw two of what I consider to be my own dæmon, or animal that represents my soul, up close and personal eating the cat food on my friends' porch. Raccoons! When I first read the series, I spent loads of time wondering what my dæmon would be: finally it came to me. A raccoon, as I am indeed a night-creature and very clever with my hands, and his name is Gymnopedie. But I'd never seen raccoons up close; they really are pretty cute, even if they're scavengers.
I got to the Christmas Eve service at the Episcopal cathedral in NW Portland last night, but very nearly didn't get home. I am so glad that I went; I've been waxing a bit melancholy about not singing, so this was my opportunity to sing hymns, at least. It was a reasonably high-quality choir (having sung in semi-professional choirs pretty much the entirety of my adult life, yes, I am a choir snob) and I only felt badly that they didn't get to sing the many anthems lined up during communion. There weren't that many of us in attendance due to weather!! But I left with a very light heart and then... had to back out over a snow burm because I'd had to park on the street, and very nearly didn't get over it. My wheels were spinning and there was that awful "tire spinning" stink, but eventually Bianca the Power Subaru™ was a hero and I was able to back out onto the road and get home.
I'm readying myself to return to my other home as Yvonne's son returns today. I'm washing the sheets and will move my things so he feels like it's his room and I'll go back to the other house this evening after I pack up my computer. Right now the house is very quiet so I'm going to drink coffee and write, then when he house livens up I'll take a few more pictures of the inside of the house this time and make some phone calls. Much of my family and some of my dearest friends are on the east coast, but the day is young. At least here in the Pacific time zone!!
For all of you who are celebrating today in particular, I hope that you gain new pleasant memories. This has certainly been a memorable first holiday season for me. Oh! And in what may be the best gift for me, the new friend Julia I mentioned a post or two ago, three houses down in the huge house? Has now suggested that I move in there as my next residence. Aside from needing to get internet since she doesn't even own a computer (and I'd need a space heater as she keeps the house cold, though with another person hopefully I could convince her to change), there are NO downsides. In fact, it rocks. A lot.
I got to the Christmas Eve service at the Episcopal cathedral in NW Portland last night, but very nearly didn't get home. I am so glad that I went; I've been waxing a bit melancholy about not singing, so this was my opportunity to sing hymns, at least. It was a reasonably high-quality choir (having sung in semi-professional choirs pretty much the entirety of my adult life, yes, I am a choir snob) and I only felt badly that they didn't get to sing the many anthems lined up during communion. There weren't that many of us in attendance due to weather!! But I left with a very light heart and then... had to back out over a snow burm because I'd had to park on the street, and very nearly didn't get over it. My wheels were spinning and there was that awful "tire spinning" stink, but eventually Bianca the Power Subaru™ was a hero and I was able to back out onto the road and get home.
I'm readying myself to return to my other home as Yvonne's son returns today. I'm washing the sheets and will move my things so he feels like it's his room and I'll go back to the other house this evening after I pack up my computer. Right now the house is very quiet so I'm going to drink coffee and write, then when he house livens up I'll take a few more pictures of the inside of the house this time and make some phone calls. Much of my family and some of my dearest friends are on the east coast, but the day is young. At least here in the Pacific time zone!!
For all of you who are celebrating today in particular, I hope that you gain new pleasant memories. This has certainly been a memorable first holiday season for me. Oh! And in what may be the best gift for me, the new friend Julia I mentioned a post or two ago, three houses down in the huge house? Has now suggested that I move in there as my next residence. Aside from needing to get internet since she doesn't even own a computer (and I'd need a space heater as she keeps the house cold, though with another person hopefully I could convince her to change), there are NO downsides. In fact, it rocks. A lot.