Here’s an example of less is more: I barely tried with these tropicals, and look at the flower explosion.  Whereas all my striving to grow basic plants down here has yielded less than stellar results.  I blame the crappy soil and conditions down here, but still.

Avdi is over here working etc., which makes us happy, especially Misu, who has been lying in wait, literally.  She can always tell “her boy” is on the way.  We don’t get to see him as often anymore, so each glimpse is a bonus.

Here’s another case of less is more–less income is more opportunity to avoid the feeding frenzy that is xmas.  Seriously, it’s the best excuse to stay home and not get trampled underfoot.  You can’t argue with cost-of-living nonadjustment!

Here is the languid Misu, luxuriating in her window, resigned to her fate.

This tropical hibiscus actually bloomed indoors!  My neglecting skills are paying off!

That’s about as exciting as it gets.

Evidently we now have only two temperature settings down here: too hot and too cold, with little warning which to expect from day to day.  It keeps you guessing.  If you retire here for the weather, don’t, unless you like unpredictable extremes.  Anyway, here we are.

Misu seems to be making the best of her house arrest, taking advantage of any warmth with a view.

E outdid her famous Italian savory Florentine pie.  Mama mia.  I can’t reveal specific ingredients or I’ll have to put you on The Family’s List.  Know what I’m sayin’?

This cactus is really thriving for some reason.  Probably all the neglect.  If only it worked for old mummies like me!

The Raven (Poe)…such a fitting poem for a day like today, cold and wet, with ravens.  The warm 60s are just a memory of (literally) yesterday.  All of December is a month best left behind, in my opinion.  Especially for folks with very limited income, it sucks to feel so ungenerous, but it’s not intended, it’s just reality.  The greed frenzy swirling around us like those dead leaves will soon fade into the inevitable compost, as it were.  Then we can all get back to normal subsistence.  Enjoy these ravens (and Misu lounging in luxury, oblivious to holiday hysteria).

After t-storms and over two inches of rain last night, most of the remaining leaves are swirling around in whirlwinds, or galloping madly across fields, on this warm (>60º), windy first of December.  It may snow tonight, that’s how crazy the weather is down here.  Down along the natives meadow, in the low spot where heavy rainfall always accumulates, you can almost imagine  a pond or wetland.  If only.  While indoors, the annual cactus blooms are spectacular this year.

Today Misu discovered IMAX for cats, i.e., my desk window.  Right outside were ravens eating the turkey scraps I had thrown out there.  (I’m still working on raven photography, a tricky skill.)  A warm laptop and a panoramic view of nature, what more could a cat want?  Well, obviously, to be on the critter side of the window!  But the other night, a big pack of yapping [cat-eating] coyotes camped out right under our windows again.  She became very agitated.  One big reason for cat large-screen TV.

Imagine if everyone just stayed home on Black Friday, didn’t shop online, and only patronized local small businesses.  Just a thought on a non-eventful erev, with instant reheated leftovers, and Misu relaxing under the table.

Maybe turkey doesn’t in fact contain more L-tryptophan than other foods, but you could have fooled Misu.  This is her on turkey.  She almost fell off the shelf.  Normally she’d be begging for more cat food, but today she’s a shelf potato.  Maybe it’s the taurine fix.

BTW, PSA–the safest way to serve turkey to cats is to lightly simmer the giblets with NO seasonings.  Onions and garlic are toxic to cats.  Do NOT give cats bones, fat, or skin.  For dogs, mostly the same goes, plus mix the meat with some rice.  Cats are carnivores, dogs are omnivores.

Here are E’s famous deviled eggs, plus turkey-day dinner of champions for humans–a serious imperial stout.  (Oh, and a turkey and sides were featured, as well.)

Outside, it’s an amazing sunny 64º, after raining all night.  The colors are, if not dazzling, still eye-catching.  Indoors, some culinary arts by E are happening. This was her infamous savory Italian Florentine pie, and these are her equally famous homemade egg noodles, drying.

Tomorrow is T-day.  It will be quiet and non-eventful, just us, which is fine.  Avdi is traveling up to PA to spend the holiday with the kids.  I’m just thankful he’s alive and well, and getting to be with them, which doesn’t happen very often anymore.  As long as he’s out there somewhere, I’m okay.

Here is Misu and extreme fog.  Or my brain in the morning.  You decide.