Memory snippets ...

The past six weeks literally flew by.   The holiday season is always a busy one and this one was no different.  It was chock full of the usual holiday-related festivities: concerts, special events, exhibitions, sports and especially, family gatherings.  There were good moments, and some ... not so good.  The one particularly bad experience was losing HWMBO in the Metro on the way to the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibition at the National Geographic Museum.  But that's a tale for another time.  All's well that ends well and the evening ended well for all of us, except that neither HWMBO nor I ever did make it to the actual exhibition.  I was accosted by a Terra Cotta Warrior in the flesh at the ticket booth, however, so I guess that counts for something.  He looked pretty good for his age.

We were all surprised one week after my arrival in Maryland by one of the most impressive snowfalls in recent memory.  It gave a traditional touch to the season.  Fortunately, it occurred on a Sunday.   Most people did not have to go to work and schools were closed.  Trying to get anywhere by car would have been practically impossible.

Many neighborhoods were like ours; everyone helped dig everyone else out once the snow stopped falling ... the mood was relaxed and we all had a good time chatting and renewing contact with one another.   The neighbor children, of course, all happily brought out sleds, going up and down the small hills nearby with such energy that it was exhausting to watch .

The visiting with neighbors is something that we don't do often enough and we always wonder why because it's so enjoyable ... before we return to our usual lifestyles.  HWMBO took his turn with the snow shovel and yes, I did my share too.    

It was cold enough that the snow lasted several days.  But when relatively warm weather returned, the snowmelt caused flooding and the Little Patuxent River, generally a small brook where it runs behind our house, turned into a torrent.  Fortunately, even during hurricanes, the protected wetlands nearby absorb the overflow.

The wetlands, sandwiched between the highway and the rear of our development, support an amazing amount and variety of wildlife species, given that we are in a major metropolitan area.  I love to walk through the area and always see something interesting, although it was much too wet and muddy to walk there for most of my visit this time.  I have seen deer, beaver, and tons of gray squirrels, of course, in my very superficial visits.  I have also have spotted sparrows, robins, cardinals, blue jays, orioles and, on occasion, a very graceful blue heron in addition to the ducks, swans and Canadian geese that live in the small lake nearby.  During my last couple visits, I noticed that quite a few trees had been felled by the beavers who appear to be thriving and, in general, doing what beavers do.  On one memorable occasion some years ago, I saw a pair of red foxes.  They melted back into the morning mist, leaving me breathless with the beauty of the moment.

Since it was the holiday season, family gatherings, accompanied by lots of food, were very much l'ordre du jour.  Here are some candid flashbacks.

LumberJax (#2 Nephew) and Sweet E (#1 Niece) eager to begin having some holiday food.  Caps appear to be de rigueur for this particular meal.  They're always a good way to disguise "bed head."






LumberJax, Big T and Artist Sis, relaxing for a few moments as they prepare to open gifts.   Yes, it is hard work. 

The star attraction, Prince Tyger (Baby Grandson), ignoring the "grown-ups" as he maneuvers his brand-new fire truck around the room.  He hasn't yet realized that he's actually supposed to get inside it and drive.  But he has the sound effects down pat.

Artist Sis with Healer Sis, with someone other than an angel giving Healer Sis an inverted halo.




The "Hostess with the Mostest,'" Momma D, sharing a glass of wine with her Big Sis B before serving dinner to at least 35 people.

HWMBO with Teenager J (#3 Grandson), admiring a new digital camera.  Catch the pony tail, HWMBO's latest hairstyle.  I find it rather dashing.  He likes it because he doesn't have to go to the barber so often.  But he has to use the blow dryer for the first time in his life and he now has a glimmer of what the fairer sex goes through on a daily basis.

Sweet K (#1 Daughter), with SO S, and Big J (#1 Step), sharing a quiet moment before things get too lively and the food service begins.

Sweet C (#1 Teen Granddaughter) with big brother, Teenager C (#2 Grandson), with the "magic" ping pong paddle suspended in air to hide his face, biding their time until the food service.

The aftermath:  Momma D in front of her "Tupperware Hellhole," preparing to box up the leftovers!