Arcadia Est Imperare Orbi Universo

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Pistachio House, Tacoma

Gentle Reader,

Francine being ill and confined to the couch, last night's festivities were muted. There was champagne and cheesecake and midnight kisses, but the majority of the evening's revels consisted of rambling about Pistachio House and vaguely listening to the television.

We are clearly the exciting, dangerous people your parents warned you about.

Speaking of parents, mine visited last week, the first time they'd spent Christmas with us. They flew in from Chicago on the 24th, and their flight was only delayed three hours. It was great that they were here, and it was wonderful that they were able to visit Tristan in the hospital.

Tristan is gaunt, but mostly in good spirits. As the nerves in his reconstructed right ankle knit together, he has experienced some excruciating shooting pains. It's difficult to be there for that, but I rather imagine he's having a rougher time of it than we are.

( a photo )

The snow of the last few weeks made it rough to get around - the local municipal authority snow contingency plan seems to consist largely of hoping it melts quickly. After two weeks, warmer weather has now come, and Tacoma (at least) is back to cool weather and rain, our winter norm.

The rain forced us to beg a ride to Mass this morning, but it's now given way to blustery winds and cold. I believe I shall stay in the rest of the day, drink coffee, and perhaps write.

Again, clearly exciting and dangerous. Beware!

I wish you, dear reader, the very best of the new year, and may the blessings of God come upon you and your house.