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.

The 2025 version: most of us find ourselves in unpayable debt to the so-called healthcare system under trump, with insurance coverage just a twisted joke.  Housing insecurity isn’t just about other people, it has become personal and precarious.  No matter how hard and long you work to support your family’s needs and protect them, it’s never enough.

Of course kids don’t understand all this greedy profiting off or punishing innocent people, or why their parents are so overworked and inaccessible.  They want all the stuff consumerism throws at them.  Or they want to abuse substances to escape reality, incurring more medical debt for their parents.  This time of year just rubs it in more.

And the orange scrooge/grinch fiends aren’t turning over a new leaf anytime ever.  May they all die a terrible lingering death.  And that’s my cheery xmas message for 2025 and counting.  Not being cynical, it’s just facts.

Having said all that, I’ve been enjoying a really pleasant cozy time hanging out with the family and dog, everyone draped lazily over furniture and floor.  We had the traditional Chinese takeout for xmas eve, and watched funny movies.  I even got into the festive spirit(s?) and hung a bunch of colorful lights all over the living/dining room.  It’s the kind of quiet, family time together you want this time of year, especially with all the insecurity and stress looming just outside the door.

Loucious got all frisky and dirty outside in the unseasonably warm weather, and had to take a bath!  Then the damp dog joined all the draped kids on the sofa and was in doggy euphoria.

Today it was like a warm spring day out, so guess what Loucious and I were doing?  He would catch the frisbee, then plow through the leaves with it, repeating this continuously, while I just relaxed with a beer, soaking up the spring winter day.

Avdi and K were happily able to accomplish their medical mission in Illinois (still not as fascist as MO), so that was a victory.  Stacey and S arrived, and enjoyed meeting the dog, catching up on all the eventfulness, and everyone lounging around together.  Loucious was in dog ecstasy.  E had made a fabulous tres leches birthday cake for Stacey, and we toasted with Prosecco.  It ended up with Y, the dog, and me all piled up together on the sofa.

What no doggy photos?!  Sorry, needed a kitty fix to balance things out.

Definitely a different vibe from ooo-oo-oo-it’s you-slobber-slobber-ball-n0- frisbee!!  Pixie is like, I will deign to let you respectfully touch me once, since my person-in-waiting Ren is in the Presence, and Odin is all luxuriating in royal splendor but acknowledges my homage and lets me pet him.  They would never lower themselves to suck up or kiss ass like some.

Loucious is doing better than some of the humans right now.  His only “drama” is jumping for joy that humans arrived, and indignation that there are other dogs in the world.  If only human life could be so unfraught.  Or more specifically, if only the fascist morons in power had a shred of decency.  When all children can’t be safe and secure in their own country, and parents and doctors can’t provide the scientific affirming care they need, something’s gotta give.  I’m living for that day.

Solstice and the Chanukah lighting finale happened.  A fitting convergence.  Now to get through winter.  At this rate, I’ll be too busy at the Avdi’s to notice…and to catch up on the Blahg!  Have some photos from the last couple of days.  Including one happy doggy.