Day 5: The schools were still closed today (for “hazardous road conditions”)!  (Cue old wives’ tales about when we were kids…).  I remained home under a snowdrift as it were.  Needless to say, lots of procrastinated chores were gotten around to.

Later, I finally rejoined the human race when Jess gave me a ride to Avdi’s, where I did some cleaning and laundry, and stayed with the kids so he and Y could go to an appointment.  The extended vacation has really set him back with his work.  I made dinner, and then J took me home.

Day 4: Still snowed/iced in, frigid out.  It sounds like the roads are still being dealt with and not much traffic in or out.  Schools are still closed.  The kids and Avdi did indeed bundle up for the arctic and go sledding.  Fortunately so far no power outages here, though I can’t speak for others.  I haven’t seen a human in days!

Which is fine, though I’m starting to fall into surreal dream territory more of the time, as I do in isolation.  My unconscious mind is clearly continuing the wayback trip into uncomfortable, unresolved personal history and trying to find some resolution, if not closure.  We’re not talking nostalgia here, more like cringe.  So many twisted, misguided paths I could have taken!  Who was I?!  It’s a relief to wake up alone in my own apartment.  But hard to detach from the haunting of my ghosts.

I suppose one of these days I’ll have to dig myself out and go see people again.  I’m running out of things to reorganize or photograph–and booze!

Photo courtesy of Avdi.

Day 3: I’ve never heard Rt. 66 so quiet!  Just the occasional tires struggling to find traction.  Apparently as promised it continued to snow/ice/ whatever during the night.  It’s going to take some traction of my own to eventually pull me out of hibernation mode.  The dreamscape is getting into serious fantasy depths.  Do bears dream of past bear lives?  Somewhere I imagine some kids are sledding.  I did my time working in freezing conditions, so I think I’ve earned this temporary luxury.

But enough about sensible people.  It’s January 6th, with all that entails.  Ihr führer got what he wanted, and I hope he and his horde of vile bosses get what’s coming to them.  I wish we could all just hibernate until the violence is over, but then there’d be nobody to stand up for victims and resist the injustices.  For some of us humans, this is just an escalation or sequel of what they’ve been enduring for hundreds of years in this country, nothing new, nothing changed.  We could stand to learn survival skills from them.  Some irony there!

Here’s what hibernators do when “snowed in” by an “Arctic Event” (pathetic so far but who’s quibbling?):

Day 1:  Shopped online all day to make sure I spent my gift card appropriately (not too frivolously but not too utilitarian-ly?).  Easier said than done when you normally have zero disposable income.  Many revisions later, I finally achieved a satisfactory balance, involving décor to warm up and personalize my apartment, while hibernating.

Day 2:  Slept half the day.  Dreamt I was being harassed by a gang of juvenile delinquents, so instead of fighting them (and messily losing), I decided to join them, using diplomacy, and go through their painful initiation process.  Every time I woke up and went back to sleep, the plot picked right up where it had left off.  I had only a vague idea of what I was getting into, but it seemed like the lesser evil, and we seemed to have a connection.  I left things hanging right before the stabbing part of the ritual.

Here’s the (snore) Big Blizzard so far…and the scene of the crime.

I’m posting now, in case the big winterpalooza shuts us down and we revert to ice cave dwellers.  Allie and Billie will evacuate early tomorrow to avoid the worst.  What will we do without the funny puppy face?  I suspect she’ll feel the same.

Anyway, erev Shabbat went nicely, and now I’m home preparing to be “snowed in”.  Knowing the Family, they’ll go dog-sledding (without the dogs).

S made this intricate Lego machine with flowers on it, all from some random pieces I got him.

I’m falling behind again, what with all the eventfulness, so have some photos!

Not to get too ahead of myself, I got to go to Global Foods with A, Allie, K, and S, always a delight.  I stocked up on ingredients for trail mix to snack on, and incense.  Then we adjourned to Kaldi’s Coffee Café for hot drinks.  Finally, we lit the Seventh night candles together, and started setting up for the NYE party.  Avdi mixed some cocktails for us.

Just speaking for myself here, that was the most excellent NYE party in my experience.  Each friend there was totally unique and freethinking, yet it was a perfect mix.  There were old and new friends there, gaming, talking, trying new drinks and foods, or feeling comfortable retreating whenever necessary.  The variety of refreshments, food and otherwise, was incredible, much of it exquisitely created by E.  The atmosphere was warm and inclusive.  S and Billie the dog were in their element–people!!  

I really enjoyed hanging out with Akasha and Gabi and whoever else joined the conversation, and sampling their unusual collection of drinks.  I lost count of all the drinks I tried, but I don’t think I ever got drunk, because of the good company.  We did our countdown and toast and hugs to the new year, and didn’t even need any silly ball going down!  I helped clean up, and then Gabi and Akasha drove me home.

I know at times Avdi was a little overwhelmed with sensory/etc. overload, but he is to be commended for putting together, hosting, and managing a gathering that was both classy and cozy, festive and casual.  Everyone there had understandable dread of the coming year, but knew they were among like-minded friends and allies in a safe space.  We’ll help each other survive and get through it.

I made a brief appearance for the sixth night candle lighting, and Billie the adorable fur ball stole my photo show.  She loves to be wherever the people are; I guess we’re like her pack.  Somehow she managed to be in every photo!  I mean, look at that face.

The days and lights of Chanukah are starting to run together.  The fourth and fifth nights featured friends (Joyce and Allie and Billie the adorable dog), lots of good food and drinks, and gifts for everyone.  I walked to Avdi’s one day, spent the night, and even got to garden a little.  It’s been raining on and off for days, so I can’t do much outside, but there’s never a lack of work to do inside, to burn off some of the home baking calories.

Not long after I walked over to A’s to start the challah, Stacey and the kids arrived.  It was a good reunion.  We caught up, while I did Chanukah/erev preps.  Eventually we lit candles, gave gifts, played with dreidels, and then Avdi made cheese  fritters, and I made potato latkes.  It was quite festive.