Category: Family

Rambling…

Got home finally.

Last night was a learning experience… I’ve got a new backpack and forgot to move essentials into it.

You know, stuff like Aspirin, Tums, contact lens case and saline, toothbrush and toothpaste, condoms, all the stuff that you need if you get stranded… or lucky!

I admit the snow is pretty, and the hills and mountains are very serene. Last night however after spending so long on the freeways to get home I was very, very, cranky.

In the light of day it was obvious why things were so slick. There was about 1/4 inch of ice under the fluffy layer of snow.

So the moment the car lost traction in the fluffy snow, it was spinning on a layer of ice.

It was probably for the best that I gave up trying to get home and bailed to a hotel.

I have to admit as long as the road was not on a steep incline, the car was doing damn well in the mess last night. I suppose it is unrealistic to ask the car to do a 35º incline on ice.

This morning when I got home I was greeted by happy puppies who immediately wanted to know where the hell I’d been.

I think their inquisition might have been a bit over the top. I’ve been sniffed, leg humped, and presented with various toys and the pitiful “Play with me” looks.

I’m fortunate, the dogs love me even when I’m an ass. I’m also fortunate that the other half was able to get home, otherwise I’d be looking at some very unhappy dogs.

As I write this both dogs are watching me. I don’t think they’re going to let me out of their sight for a while.

I suppose it messes with their retriever programming when I disappear.

They think their job is to keep track of me and it’s humiliating for them to think they lost me.

My closing the bathroom door is even cause for great consternation.

Snow & dogs is always a hoot to watch. They’re in for a surprise today. They’re going to a late appointment at the groomers for a quick nail trim and brush out.

Since they usually go to puppy spa day early in the morning this should really mess with their concept of the world.

When they get back they’ll be all clean and pretty for Santa.

I don’t know if they’re getting coal or puppy toys for Christmas.

Being retrievers, they probably wouldn’t care what they got, as long as someone tossed whatever it was, out in the back yard.

Now off to finish Christmas cards! The cards are done… it’s the addressing the envelopes that I’ve been remiss about.

That is I’ll get to the cards after trying to clear the rest of the ice out of the driveway, Yipeee!

Today is the traditional date of the Christmas Tree decoration.

As I work on this today, I’m thinking of my Mom and all the fun she & I used to have at this time of year.

Sugar Cookies, in happy holiday shapes. The infamously alcoholic fruitcakes that Mom always made. 

Popcorn and construction paper chains for decorations around the tree and the house.

The joy when a new package materialized under the tree and wondering what to get Mom. 

See for a number of years it was just Mom & I. Sure on Thanksgiving or Christmas we’d have the relatives over but mostly it was about us. 

We had a ball!

Ornaments, memories, Black & White TV. 

I remember the address to the first house I lived in.

When I google it, it’s all different. The house got modified at some point in the past 35 years the owners enclosed the carport making it a small one car garage. The trees that I remember tending as saplings are all gone, as is a larger tree that used to be in the front yard. The grand old oak in the backyard is still standing. From the Street view I can see the room that my parents occupied for a time.

The neighborhood is, of course all different now.

One constant is that I can find using Google is the elementary and the middle school. Both were attached to each other via a common lunchroom facility so they occupy a large chunk of space that’s easily visible. 

I remember navigating home from both of them. I walked across a golf course and usually with a group of friends. Unless I got detention. Then I’d be walking alone. 

Both the schools look the same as they do in my memory.

There’s something comforting in that.