dual personalities

Here it is 6:45 am and I am happily ensconced in our little Airbnb house in Alexandria Bay, NY. The DH and I arrived yesterday, my birthday, for a couple of days relaxation away from the wild hubbub of our hopping metropolis (ha, ha).

After settling in, we set off on an exploratory walk. During summer, Alex Bay is a tourist destination; in winter, it’s the quietest place you can imagine. Seriously, it’s a ghost town but that suits us to a tee.

Here’s the DH smiling on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. In the background you see Boldt Castle, one of those excessive turn-of-the-century confections that school children visit on field trips and young couples use as a wedding venue. I’ve never been there and since it’s closed in winter, won’t have the pleasure on this trip. I gather it’s quite a place if you like that sort of thing. And there’s Canada on the other side of the river.

After our bracing walk, we settled down to celebrate my birthday — and what a nice one it was! We ate quesadillas (made specially by my DH) and cake (store bought) and then I got tucked up in blankets to unwrap presents.

What a haul! My dear husband gave me the latest in ancient fashion from the British Museum — an Assyrian wool scarf. Now lamassu will protect me from both the cold and whatever evil lurks among the snowflakes.

My wonderful sons gave me the essential gift trio: something to read; something to listen to, and something to watch. They certainly know their mama. My youngest son and his girlfriend also sent me a dozen red roses! Alas, I don’t have a photo of them, but they are as beautiful as you imagine.

“But what is that camel I see in the photo?” you ask. Mary, my incredibly talented niece, made me this supremely adorable camel ornament. Isn’t it the best?

Unfortunately, all the lighting here is overhead and I could not avoid casting a shadow, but you can still see how perfect it is. I love it! I am so pleased with all my gifts! Thank you all for giving me a happy, happy birthday!!

Now it’s time to make some coffee and eat some cake for breakfast (I indulge myself whenever possible) before preparing for a quiet day of reading and exploring the area’s nature reserves. I highly recommend taking a short break somewhere. If you’re worried about germs, take a day trip! And eat cake!

Some baby clothes are a bit much — tiny pockets and ruffled shoulders and quilted fabric?! — but this outfit makes up for all that by making Katie look like a funfetti cupcake. Of love, obviously.

Katie is having lots of fun being passed from lap to lap. She has so much fun that she takes even better naps than usual…

…in her upgraded, full-size crib that is adjacent to quite the book collection. I like that she is eye-level with Emerson, Hawthorne, and all of my other favorites. (And directly above her is John Wayne!)

The highlight of our Wednesday was a Zoom call with 2 sets of dual personalities…

…where Katie showed off her kicks and funny faces.

And, is there anything cuter than these dress-shoe tights, courtesy of her aunt Mary? To quote Kevin McCallister… I don’t think so.

I started writing this blog post about my annual reading of A Christmas Carol and how much I enjoy it. And then I remembered that I’m pretty sure I wrote that post last year. This is probably foreshadowing for Christmas morning and everyone getting something I’ve already given them.

I just got back from walking to my neighborhood wine bar to pick up my wine club wines and picking up a yummo salad at a neighborhood restaurant. It’s just like living in Brooklyn but people are nice to you.

As I’ve explained, the algorithm for my YouTube feed is totally bizarre because of my penchant for The Simpsons and videos about cross-stitching. And also because sometimes my mother and I drink wine and search for random 90s country songs like this. You’ve got to love that hair. I also accidentally stumbled down this rabbit hole that really makes me want to become someone who comments just to point out that this is a cartoon and not Shakespeare.

Anyway, the algorithm paid off this weekend when I discovered this terrific Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum video fundraiser.

It’s an hour and a half and it is great. Seriously, it is produced so well–it isn’t rushed but it moves. I also feel like it is all the cool kids–but they don’t make it feel exclusive. And it made want to go to Nashville. And, of course, Marty and his cravat are amazing. I love the Thomas Hart Benton painting that is a focal point in the museum. This is a real treat and I recommend watching it. Also, I wish I had Reba’s pants.

We’re nearly halfway through December! The DH and I are going to put up the tree today and then I’m going to read a few good Christmas stories to help me get into the Christmas spirit. And let’s not forget art and music as well. I’ve always loved this painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, and although its subject isn’t Christmas, it does capture the feel of winter.

Let’s have some Renaissance music to go with that painting.

There is so much to do that it’s easy to get distracted from what’s important. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t forget what Sigrid Undset wrote:

“And when we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans–and all that lives and move upon them. He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused–and to save us from our foolishness, from all our sins, He came down to earth and gave us Himself.”

Get wrapping! Get writing Christmas cards! Mail those presents! Decorate your tree! Bake! Remember, no one can cancel Christmas!

Darling Katie has had quite the week. It started out with a trip to the pediatrician’s office, where she was declared a very healthy 6-month old, “or a small 9-month old.” She continues to be a long baby and has a “very proportionate head.” (I truly love our doctor’s commentary.) She received 5 vaccines with just the slightest quiver of her lip. Having mastered eating oatmeal and baby food, Katie’s next hurdle is sipping water from a cup. Honestly, she will probably do better at this than I do, given that I mindlessly drink iced coffee until approximately 4:30 p.m.

In other news, she tried on and outgrew these overalls in one go.

She really took some time to reflect on her self-image.

And now as the week concludes, we are gearing up for a big road trip home to St. Louis on Friday. We will attempt to make the drive straight through, loaded up with meals for the road and every rest stop along the way mapped out by DN. Katie has given us little reason to think she can’t handle this, but who knows… Either way, I think the trip will call for drinking iced coffee with purpose until at least 4:30 p.m.!

Well, Lucy may have preferred to eat January snowflakes rather than December snowflakes, here in Mid-MO, we don’t eve have the option because we are still dealing with DENSE FOG WARNINGS.

Yes, this morning, it was so foggy, the Capitol was hidden from view. I’m working from home again for the time being, a self-quarantine I am privileged to be able to ordain for myself. At work, it’s the time of year when I get to let my creative juices flow–the 12 Days of UCP. I urge you to check out these special social posts–and also search for unclaimed property! Missouri residents can check at ShowMeMoney.com and residents of other states can visit unclaimed.org to find your state’s unclaimed property division. I recently found $58 in New York!

Sorry for the PSA.

In other news, these “Spicettes” as they are now called are the devil’s work. That is to say, they are really good.

And at Aunt Mary’s School of Misbehaving Tots, sometimes, we get buried in a giant pile of dogs. What can I say, I’m not a regular aunt, I’m a cool aunt.

I don’t have much this week–busy preparing for Christmas and time away from work. But, this will always make things feel festive!

And Spicettes also help.

*Mom and I watched 21 Jump Street tonight and let me tell you it’ll for sure cure what ails you.