oof

You know, when I was a kid? Everyone I loved lived, like, right there. Or if they didn't, they were expected to, and did, come back often enough that I was very clear on the idea that where I was was home, and people just went away sometimes.

I'm reminding myself that I'm lucky to live in such a way that my favorite people - my family, blood and not - are scattered all over the continent, and even into other landmasses altogether; that it's a blessing to have so much love in my life, in so many places; that we're all incredibly privileged to be free to come and go as our truths lead us. I'm reminding myself very hard. Dammit.

( New Year's must've come early this year, all I wanna do is post song lyrics )

photographic postcript to post about my uncle

( the beautiful lady is my 92-year-old great-aunt )

finally, a good sin

Gluttony, by Francine Prose
I confess I bought Oxford's seven deadly sins set mostly because I thought the rainbow effect of the book covers was extremely satisfying. So I probably deserved to be left less than impressed by Sloth and unable to get into Anger ... but I'm still relieved to report that Gluttony is quite good. Gives me hope for the other four. Francine Prose is just so darn readable ... and this is a literate and thoughtful tour of the history of Western conceptions of the sin of gluttony. Brief but not shallow.
(254/250)

PS

am now v. happy to have warm slippers, chocolate, maple candy, various and sundry other fine fine gifts ... and:

THE OXFORD COMPANION TO CANADIAN LITERATURE!!!!! EEEEE!!!!!!

(Something I never would've let myself buy, which I coveted unreasonably. Yay yay yay yay. I have the best mother-in-law ever - which I already knew of course.)

Also, it's very nice to sit in front of a fire with your new warm slippers on while a dog naps on you. Thanks randomdreams and manintheboat.