MERDE, the cold, the wind!

Portland Oregon declared a national emergency due to the wind chill factor plummeting temperatures below where the thermometer is able to go. The lad walking home from work texted that  wind nearly knocked him down- crazy wild! Erik is a little over 6 feet tall  , a substantial, strong  lad. I doubt a sumo could budge him but the wind- no contest! 

In spite of the shite weather and  frozen streets,
Emily and Flora came over today with a birthday bouquet, sweetest thing ever!  Flora explored, I had a basket of toys handy but she was more interested in pot holders- the oven was  baking squash, No problem she put the oven mitt on and knew exactly what to do.
 

Flowers for my birthday. Emily is so thoughtful - and in this weather bringing her baby , She's my girl!!

The neighbors brought over their usual Christmas bonanza of various cookies, home made chocolates,  cranberry bread, braving the snow and freeze. 

I just say "NO'...

It is not like I do not have the gear for this nonsense weather, I do. I am just being stubborn about it. And lazy- it takes time to get all of that equipment zipped, buttoned, stuffed.

Monkeys around the tree looks like christmas morning when I was five. Nostalgia - a twinge of sadness- because everyone is dead.   I am turning 76, on the slippery slide to the grave, myself. I hope that I blow up instead of dying a slow - running out of gas- death.

I looked at a photo of my dad the other night just combing though stuff and suddenly tears welled up and my throat got all plump with emo...that has not happened since he died- even then I did not get emotional about losing him. Suddenly here I am - experiencing the "feels". For no reason other than this time of year, I suspect. 

Nat delivered gifts around the house- one to a bowl full of babies and one to our favorite christmas guy.

This morning the sunrise was pink , and still, and a towhee was singing like it was springtime.  Mysterious and lovely. Lucky...because moments later the sky turned to be white and the bird stopped singing, probably dropped dead from the chill. I don[t know how the raccoon are fairing- I am sure they are huddled up together in the forest...or in someone's attic, which is always a  not so pleasant surprise. 

Ok, so Here's me, being 76 tomorrow.
All is well and I ain't stiff yet! Cheers!!