Márquez

New glasses.  

And so I rest here

A day ends a year ends here

At the end I rest. 

This is not what I could have expected, but I think a year ago I would have been glad to know there was respite. Not salvation, no paradise, but an easing, less pain, a chance. 

I have been vaccinated just over a year now, a second vaccination, a booster. Tested and shown antibodies, likely had it two years ago now.  Love in the Time of Corona. 

The war started long ago continues, the outcome unknowable.  The peace lays in our hearts, in our love for each other, and will not be extinguished. 

Lantern

Dylan and I gave each other Lucy. She is so soft and gives wonderful hugs. 

Our tree is less shiny this year, but full of our ornaments. 

On the advice of an artist friend, I got some paints and touched up the old lantern that belonged to Granny. 

It was a light, lit up when I was very small. The paint was almost gone on one side, worn away on top and bottom. This is good enough for me, and it's come back to life. 

From earlier years, the wear is visible. Of course I didn't take a good Before this year.

I may touch up the weird baby ornament next. 

A time for renewal. 

 

Culture

 Thankfully I asked about the culture in the new job, in several ways, of various people. And I got olive wood spoons from trader joes and holiday cards. Because my three close colleagues got presents for us as well.  They seemed to be appreciated, not food, not smelly, but pretty and useful. 

These will get the most use. 

The other two gifts were scented, the hand soap in festive theme is actually really nice. The candle will go to a different home, although it is visually pretty. 

Token gifts, not extravagant, thoughtful enough in a professional setting.  I also gave our schedulers cards, with a bit of cash. Seemed important. 

I have my usual Thursday off, Friday off as the official holiday, and of course Saturday and Sunday. Next week will be the same.  Since the hand clinic I'm responsible for is on Fridays, it means two really slack weeks. The last three days I had way too little to do, but had to be there to handle alerts and a few fractures.  So, I had some use, but not enough to fill the whole day.  Sort of guard duty, be available in case.  Getting a reputation for keenness, due to disliking being idle that much. I love a slow day as much as anyone, but this week was too much of too little. 

Grocery shopped this morning, since our only absolute requirement for this holiday is to have enough food. 

I keep thinking tomorrow is the holiday, and it's not. Not that it much matters, really.  Storm coming in, warm and windy. Hoping it will be mountain snow valley rain. MSVR. 

I think they are planning to give us a mouse, don't tell them I guessed. It's a surprize. 

Encrusted

When I finally headed up to work the other day, the sun was out. Usually this means a lot of melting of our typically fluffy, salty snow.  Not this time. The trees are still thick with snow in branches. And a lot of trees in this area have lost a lot more branches than is typical with this much snow. 

Eleanor adores the heating pad today, I've been keeping it on for her. Took her a moment to realize what it was, but once she figured it out, "OH! it's That!" she was stretched out and not going anywhere. 

The tree is mostly decorated, less than usual for me. That could change as the week passes. Or I might leave it with just enough rather than my usual "totally encrusted" style.  We shall see. I have time. 

 

Later

The Utah Highway Patrol asked motorists to work from home or delay driving if possible Wednesday morning.

 I FINALLY get to follow this direction, for the first time since I was in school! No patient is waiting for me, no doctor tapping their foot, nothing so urgent I can't delay it a few hours. The snow started last evening, and it's still plummeting down. I got a text from my colleague saying she'd be in late. And I texted back, What a coincidence! 

 I'll go in later, no problem. I'm up and dressed and ready to go when it's safe. BUT THAT ISN'T NOW! and I don't HAVE to. I can use my judgement and stay off slick, slushy roads. Gosh. I get a Snow Day.

Granted

 I've noticed a degradation in my writing here. The job really is sucking up my mental energies, not surprisingly. I have to trust that my flow will return, once I get over the steepest curves learning the work. I know I can get it back with consistent, daily practice,  that simply isn't possible at the moment. 

I'm not even making photos daily, which takes a lot less brain work than writing. 

It does feel like a new phase of my life. The beginning of the last third - if family lifespans hold true for me. I've worked on all the damage, created and found and salvaged. The future is unknowable, and the past is a fading dream. 

I love and am loved. This is never to be taken for granted. And can never be taken. 

Lachrymating

Showed up in the Atrium at work. 

Then it snowed, and it deflated. 

Zeppo looking out. 

Before the storm. 

"When we meet somebody whose separate tunnel-reality is obviously far different from ours, we are a bit frightened and always disoriented. We tend to think they are mad, or that they are crooks trying to con us in some way, or that they are hoaxers playing a joke. Yet it is neurologically obvious that no two brains have the same genetically-programmed hard wiring, the same imprints, the same conditioning, the same learning experiences. We are all living in separate realities. That is why communication fails so often, and misunderstandings and resentments are so common. I say "meow" and you say "Bow-wow," and each of us is convinced the other is a bit dumb." -Robert Anton Wilson, Prometheus Rising 

 The cold rain and snow falls 

Tired eyes raw with blue screens 

Hope sleeps deeply now.