In Memorium

My mother, Shirley MacNeal Kerbaugh Bach Wilson Gunn, died in her sleep yesterday morning. It's a sad day up on the Hill.

How long?

("That's a rather personal question, isn't it?")

I've determined that, while I haven't yet actually taken the break from myself and my problems and all those other tedious things, I haven't been able to post either. I haven't been home to Jackass Hill for more than a couple days in the last two months, so ruminations about life on the hill have had to take a necessary hiatus.

if anyone is interested, I've taken up whining, observing, and endlessly commenting on the scenery over here: http://mumsananarchist.livejournal.com/

I have no idea how long I'll be gone, but believe me, I'll be back as soon as possible. I miss my life Up On the Hill.

my birthday

although it doesn't feel like it. I didn't have that little "specialness" tingle when I woke up - not even a twinge of a tingle. So I'm thinking maybe I'll skip this year and have two next year.

I'm not even home. I'm still in Media, where it's spring and everyone is miserable. There's a lot to do, so I guess I'll get on with it.

I wish I were home, up on the hill.

minor announcement

Winter, they tell me, is the time to reflect, plan, and generally stay out of trouble. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm generally overloaded, overwhelmed, over-just-about-everythinged and nothing is going particularly well, so I think I'm just going to shut the hell up and take a break from me.

unseasonal

So, yeah, it's 68 degrees here today and I feel totally and completely confused, stupid, nostalgic, lost and in general a complete mess. I think it's because when you more or less grow up and stay in one place, combinations of temperature and light and wind and color all signal a particular season, and, just like smells, these seasonal associations are directly bound into one's limbic system, complete with emotional rather than rational responses. Then when we get an unseasonably nice day (or, at the opposite end of the wheel, an unseasonably cool and breezy day) I start coming off the spool. Like my thinking brain hasn't had time to process clues about changes and so was caught completely off guard.

My family, god bless 'em, is used to this behavior. They don't understand why I walk outside, burst into tears and run back in, and when pressed for reasons, sob something about it being "so ni..ni..nice out!" but they are patient with the poor crazy old cat lady.

John's outside screaming curses to the heavens again. Must have blown a fuse (literally - the air compressor, I'd guess.)

Still haven't taken down the Christmas decorations. First I was still enjoying them, now I'm just too lazy. Spring fever in January? Sure feels like it. Stupid January thaw.

Maybe I'll make some Garlic Soup for dinner - see if I can shake both the sore throat and the doldrums. So many interesting things I want to do this year.

But maybe I'll start tomorrow. Tomorrow's another day...up here on the Hill.

This has got to be some kind of record

Syracuse Hancock International Airport Lat: 43.12 Lon: -76.12 Elev: 404 Last Update on Jan 8, 1:54 pm EST

Mostly Cloudy and Breezy 68°F (20°C) Humidity: 45 % Wind Speed: SW 22 G 30 MPH Barometer: 29.90" (1012.1 mb) Dewpoint: 46°F (8°C) Visibility: 10.00 mi. More Local Wx: 3 Day History: I spent the afternoon planting bulbs. I haven't planted bulbs in January siince we moved up here.

My thoughts exactly.