It was very mild and sunny today, so the first thing Loucious and I did was–you guessed it!  He’s a Frisbee Fanatic.

I’m not complaining, but does nature have to be such a damn tease in winter?  Half of me is longing to go back to hibernating, and the other is trying to refrain from doing gardeny things.  I have to keep telling myself, the nothing I do now ensures a healthier, happier ecosystem later.  I have to be content with indoor tropicals and drooling over my new Annie’s Heirloom Seeds catalog.  And playing endless frisbee.

One would almost think we have been assimilated into the Dog Borg, looking at these photos.

Avdi made this great bruschetta for our family meeting, which everyone attended, including Loucious.

The train is now installed up on the shelf in Avdi’s office.

This fine and worthwhile classic train model, based on an actual train at the Museum of Transportation, was completed by Avdi!  It’s also a good homonym for all the training and education I continue to receive from the Avdi’s even at this late stage.  If you stop learning, you may as well be dead, in a manner of speaking.  Here are a few recent examples.

AI: It was brought to my attention (by my son, which I appreciate) that many of the stories and photos on social media (FB) are not sourced from legit references or documentation, and share similar styles because they’re AI-generated.  The average person (me for example) can easily be taken in by the clickbait, human interest appeal and not realize they are being conditioned to mistake fabrication for facts.  It seems innocent and genuine, reinforcing your point of view, when in fact it may be counterfeit and misleading.  Think of the implications.

Dogs: Once the novelty wears off, and the daily responsibility kicks in, much as with children, a dog member of the family really sorts out who is committed to the ongoing caregiving and maintenance, and who will lose interest and leave it to others.  These “others” may legit have other time-consuming priorities (like school or work), or limitations (like mobility), and not consistently be available.  Then the cuteness gives way to an onerous chore or inconvenience.  It’s a good test of your capability as a cooperating unit to provide an appropriate longterm commitment.

Assuming: Never Assume!  Anything!  We all do it.  The more people, the more assumptions.  The opposite of assumption is communication.  “Assume” nothing and directly state your needs, intentions, schedule, plans, etc. in a timely manner, and make sure you were clearly understood.  It’s easy to get busy and distracted and think you made yourself clear, but neglected to.  No judgement here; it’s such a common oversight to make.  We’re all constantly learning that in a large group, communicating needs ahead saves a lot of annoyance and inconvenience later.  This is meant for myself as much as anyone.

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Those are just a few recent ones.  Living in a group can be complex, but totally worth it.  It’s a microcosm of the world.  So many different individual needs and views and room for growth.  If you can learn to function in a large family or group, you can learn to adapt to anything.  That’s why the isolated “nuclear family” construct is flawed and artificial.  Humans can’t thrive indefinitely in that model.  You need a support network or pack, where everyone has a role and picks up the slack, and the weak members have a secure human safety net.

A good erev Shabbat was had.  Stacey made another great challah (I think she may win challah wars if we have one).  Then she spent much of the day shuttling kids to things, which is a huge help.

Next in the kitchen, I made Cajun-rubbed tilapia to go with the leftover beans, rice, greens, and carrots.  We actually had a full table with everyone there.  Loucious got to sample some challah and agreed it was very good.  He’s earned extra treats being such a good and talented doggy.

S&S departed today.  This year they’ll be working on moving here to STL, nearby where they can be in the WGSD and help out.  I think we could win the award for weird nonconventional extended family least likely to function but doing it anyway!

On NYD we all discovered the incredible balloon trick of Loucious the dog.  You throw the balloon up and he jumps up and propels it back up with his nose like balloon volleyball.  He can keep this up indefinitely as long as people keep playing, without the balloon busting.  This dog is the most clever dog in the world.  How did he learn to do this?  He never ceases to surprise.

When I got there, I was amazed to see Y’s party aftermath all cleaned up and everything quiet.  Apparently it was a big success and everyone survived.

Stacey made a big traditional New Year’s Day dinner including black eye peas, corn muffins, cooked greens, etc.  We had eight people, including Jess.  All the kids were there and loved it.  This whole family gathering thing is really growing on me.

Then Avdi, Stacey, K, S, and I went to the Botanical Garden Glow event and wandered through the dazzling wonderland of lights, music, and trains, with hot chocolate drinks.  Avdi did his improv docent talk to acquaint Stacey with the history.  We all agreed he’s channeling my father’s docenting at NYBG.

Stacey, S, and I, for a while K, and even briefly the dog banished ourselves to the basement, so Y and friends could party all night.  They got a good turnout, happily.  Middle schoolers sure shriek a lot.  Stacey and E had made baklava.  E and K went to parties in the evening.  Avdi tried to work while “supervising” the herd.  I had a weak drink or two and hung out with the S’s.  Avdi was able to get in the kitchen and make some rice and curry so we wouldn’t starve!  Loucious as always was in his element with all the attention.  At one point he and Stacey and S were all squished on the bed together, watching Doctor Who.  Eventually I got bored and went home.  Now it’s midnight, so HNY!

It’s been a whirlwind of kids getting ready for NYE parties: Y’s at home overnight, E baking up a storm for a party with friends, and K probably also with friends.  Stacey, still sick, will stay home with S.  Avdi will stay home to oversee Y’s party and provide rides.  I’ll show up at some point and hide out with us non-partiers for a while.

I think back to how my parents would always dress up in their finest and go out to NYC with friends for NYE, leaving us kids with catered-style snack platters and the tv.  Having a kids party was never even an option.  Such a different world.  Later, on my own, I’d go get drunk and freezing.  ATC, I think I much prefer staying warm and sane (and not too schnockered) at home with the Avdi’s and doggy.

May this coming year begin the Downfall of the perv criminals in the WH.  Cheers!

Still here, not quite succeeding in hibernating.  It’s so cold, I have to fight my instincts to get up and do stuff.  I’ve been checking in while Avdi’s out of town, helping a little with dog tasks, keeping Stacey company while she’s sick from the Flu/Covid vax, doing the usual cleaning, laundry, cooking dinner, etc.

Y has been on a room-shoveling-out mission, in preparation for his NYE party.  It’s incomprehensible how much stuff (polite term) piles up in there, yet there’s still more.  I’m trying to stay out of the way and discretely sort piles at the other end into appropriate places.  I have to admire his determination to get the job done, however daunting and frustrating.

I was able to take these two photos before Loucious and I froze to death.  He does his stuff and then gallops at top speed to get back in the warm house.  Having a dog is a full-time job, just like having kids; it’s not for the weak or impulsive.  A loaner dog is a good way to experience the commitment.

Personally, I’m enjoying our big family “village” while it lasts.  There are always some people around to help with cooking, the dog, errands, and just being there.  I get to sleep in at home, which I seem to need more lately, and then drive over.  Of course Loucious heartily approves of all the people and attention.

Yesterday was so warm out, we had to keep coming outside to cool off!  (And play frisbee with L, naturally.)  Stacey had volunteered to bake challah again, and it was excellent.  She and S also walked the dog together.  Y shoveled out his room, a major endeavor.

Later I made dinner–panko-crusted baked cod, and lots of recreated leftovers.  We had an almost-full table–Y even joined us, though E was out.  Lots of people to help me clean up!  I was so tired, afterwards I flopped on the sofa with S and doggy, and regressed into silliness with S, while Stacey rolled her eyes and eventually went to bed.  Loucious just slept through it.

Today I slept half the day.  I appear to be sleeping for others who can’t.  It’s a necessary luxury.

Much baking and cooking was done by Stacey, K, and E all day.  Stacey baked a couple of beautiful Swedish cardamom bread loaves.  E made excellent tiramisu.

It was warm indoors and out, so at one point Stacey and I sat out on the patio with seasonal beers and talked for a while, with S popping in and out.  Somehow I don’t have Loucious in a photo, though he was happily schmoozing and playing with all his new friends.

In the evening we all had a big festive dinner together.  It felt very homey and relaxed, even with all the work.  Then everyone collapsed.  Not a bad way to spend a day.