Unease and Discontent

We are having a nice getaway, staying in rural PA with some friends, exploring and enjoying the outdoors and nearby historic sites. We went to a Civil War museum, and then to the State Capitol in Harrisburg - both really interesting. 

For all intents and purposes, everything is great. 

 And yet. 

And yet, there is a nagging sense of discontent that's just kind of there. Like a film on top of boiled milk. Like an unpleasant aftertaste that just lingers. 

I feel like I can't trust myself. Like I am on a cliff edge but have no idea that I am a step away from a catastrophe. 

Maybe this is just PMS. Maybe this is the dread because of where we are as a society. Maybe this is the result of scanning the news headlines, always anticipating more bad news - and even if nothing terrible happened today, it's a short-lived relief because, surely, something terrible is going to happen tomorrow. 

Somewhat related... I started crocheting. There might be a reason why we associate crocheting and knitting with old ladies. Perhaps this is how old ladies keep their sanity. It is shocking how calming it is. Gasp... Knitting Through Menopause - isn't that a great title for a book? 

Tell me about an activity that helps you feel calm and in control.

Visiting Family

We are staying with my husband's family in rural PA. There is promise of snow. Kids are having a blast with their cousins. 

My in-laws have a bird feeder right outside their kitchen window - and they get such a variety of birds - way more different species than we see at our house. Especially since our feeders have been taken over by Evil Ones - the English Sparrows. 

We are planning to visit my husband's grandmother today. She is 97. She has a hard time hearing but other than that - she is impressively active. 

How are your last few days of December?

Weekend Report. Hanukkah Edition

Friday:

Hanukkah celebration with friends. Lots of latkes and good conversations.

Saturday: 

E had a meet and then a work party.

I took the girls to see "Little Women" at a nearby theater. It was amazing! This particular interpretation was just so well done - this was the first time I felt like I could relate to those characters.

Also on Saturday: shopping (food) and Costco run (more food.... we eat a lot).

Sunday night was the last night of Hanukkah. Original plan was to have my parents over and do lots of latkes. Unfortunately, both my husband and I were not feeling great, so instead of hosting a party, we made latkes and delivered a few (plus presents) to my parents. 

Also on Sunday: 

C made 2 batches of cookies. 

Kids went to the store to pick up a present for a friend and supplies for chicken soup. 

And in the evening, we watched The Gremlins. We all loved it! 

And that's all for the weekend! This is going to be a super-short week and then we all have a well-deserved break.

How was your weekend?

Reading, Watching, Playing.

Reading:

Nonfiction - An Impeccable Spy. A book about a soviet spy in China and Japan during the 1930s and 1940s - Richard Sorge. 

Fiction - The Incandescent by Emily Tesh (fantasy). Also started The Book of Dust by Phillip Pullman. 

Watching:

Bones

The Good Place

Board games:

Scattegories

Pictionary

Sequence

Eating:

Borsch 

Red curry chicken and tofu

Latkes

Roasted squash

Winter

I turned 48. We had a wonderful low-key family celebration. I am so lucky to have my amazing family. Also, Hanukkah started Sunday night: miraculously, we were able to come up with enough candles for our 2 menoras. The candles required some shaving-off and man-handling, but they worked (the right-size candles were running late). 

That said, it was not all butterflies and rainbows. Sunday was tumultuous. Because emotions that triggered chain reactions, temper tantrums, and stress. 

But we got SNOW!!! And that made my day. Kids went sledding - I really should have joined them but wanted to make borsch - and that can not be hurried. 

 

Also Sunday - the calendars for the grandparents got made. I find the whole process very stressful and frustrating, from selecting the photos to paying to using the coupons/deals, but the family leaned in and helped while I was having a toddler-worthy meltdown. Phew. 

Monday, my husband and I went on a brief hike. The temperature was below freezing and the forest was covered in snow. It was lovely. I wish the entire winter was like this. 

We have bird feeders near our living room windows. What with the snow and the cold, the birds have been devouring the food - and it's like watching a PBS documentary on the nature of power and influence. So much drama and fighting over resources. And in the meantime, the squirrels pick up the scraps and plot revenge. 

How is your winter going so far? What makes you happy? What are you loving right now?

Amazing Inventions

A friend was visiting and, as we talked, the subject of inventions came up. 

A while back, she asked her 90-something grandmother about the most life-improving invention that happened during her lifetime.

It was a washing machine for doing laundry. 

It got me thinking - was there anything similarly life-altering (in a good way) during my lifetime?

There are cell phones, sure,  and social media, and smartphones. But are those really an improvement? Ability to do video calls with friends and family in other countries? Maybe, but I don't do it much... Digital camera? Word processor? Streaming services?

Electric pencil sharpener?

Printer?

Maybe I'm too young and the amazing invention that will change my life is still to come...

What is the most amazing invention of your lifetime? What is the invention that you wish did not happen during your lifetime?