Mike and I had a visitor on Saturday.

Eve helped me bake brownies:

(I couldn’t decide which picture was better, so I just posted them both)

Then we took pictures of her, just because she’s cute:

I think every kid that comes over needs a picture with this safe:

(When August comes over we’ll have to think of something creative, since she’s too young to think it’s cool – don’t worry Josh and Mindie, we won’t put her inside…for too long… )

Is there a child in the world that doesn’t enjoy playing airplane? It looks pretty cool from Mike’s point of view:

But this is what I got to see:

Thanks Brett and Maggie for letting us borrow your girl. What a cutie.

Stellar Saturday

Saturday, Part 1: Moving day, and it’s 26 degrees.

Graham and Dad were excited too.

Mike and Graham found a fun patch of ice.

So glad I didn’t have to lift the couch.

Cookie Break!!!!!!

Throw-back Pepsi. So good.

Saturday, Part 2: Steve brought Seth over.

Seth finally found a bed he is allowed to jump on.

Playing with the few toys we have at our place.

Mike tried to get Seth to climb inside our safe. He didn’t fit.

Drawing

I think…

I would like to be important enough to have an assistant. And her name should probably be Gretchen.

Anxiety

Her only hole-free t-shirt hangs over acid washed jeans

The trees bend in spying and laughing

A fanny pack attempts a feeble glimmer with a few remaining sparkles

Lampposts leer and whisper over her shoulder

Despite the blurred vision and dizziness, her limp hair is proudly washed

She must shield her thoughts from the jabbering birds

Her muddled brain cannot make sense of the system map

The other passengers cannot be trusted, strangers

One young woman ignores her completely

This is best

A kind older woman with sweeping silver hair offers her wing

Shifty wing, like the birds, but just maybe…

A genuine smile under the silver hair

Safety?

Perhaps, until the palpitations and tremors cause the windows to cave in

My Weekend Woe

I’ll accept that Lennon was shot,

and that cancer took Marley.

I thank you for MTV, Michael, and REM.

You graciously provided the world with the thrills of Indiana Jones, Ghost Busters, Back to the Future, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

But, my dear 1980s, I do wish I could give you your hair back.

My rice touched my ketchup, and I ate it anyway.

Can I have a cookie now?

A Response Letter

Dear Mrs. Nagel:

Your request not only angers me, it incites my wrath to action. Suffer the Arctic Blast I blow in your general direction! Bundle up and get ready, if you dare! My wind will swirl, and my ice will halt all movement. You shall become confined to your living and laboring quarters. I believe you mortals refer to it as “cabin fever.” Ah yes, do you it feel it?

Furthermore, contrary to your request, I have sent Miss Spring to Australia on a very important mission that a mortal such as yourself would not understand. Traverse there if you seek an audience with her.

Sincerely,

Obadiah Frost

Top Story: How long will the Arctic Blast last?

So far I’ve heard and read many a funny line about the upcoming cooler weather, but my favorite is: OUTDOOR PETS WILL ALSO REQUIRE PROTECTION FROM THIS ARCTIC OUTBREAK. Yes, it’s an Arctic Outbreak. Help. Run for your lives. We’re all going to die.

I agree; it is going to get a wee bit chilly the next few days, but an Arctic Blast? An Arctic Outbreak? Really? It’s not a plague. It’s just cold air. Clearly these weather people have never spent any time in the Arctic. Arctic Survival Camp (perhaps along with Rain Forest and Desert Survival Camps) should be a prerequisite for all weather personnel. I would call what happened Christmas Eve minus 20 degrees an Arctic Blast. You know, sub-freezing temperatures, wind blowing snow hard enough to make visibility very low. That old chestnut.

We’re only going to have 2-3 days of below freezing temperatures, and people are freaking out. Yeah, there are some precautions to take like dressing kids warmly, bringing in outdoor pets, covering plants, and leaving the faucet dripping, but I’ve heard people say that they are going to start stocking up on groceries and make sure their car is gassed up. There isn’t supposed to be any rain, snow, or ice, just cold air. And besides, if there was precipitation, what good would a full tank serve?

P.S. (1-5-10 2:24p.m.) Today’s weather.com update: Arctic wave #2 crashes into the U.S. Love the imagery. Totally brill.

P.P.S. (1-6-10 7:11 a.m.) This was my 100th post. I have been waiting for this moment since Courtney announced hers last March, and I missed it.

1-7-10 7:29 a.m. Yet another update on the wintry blast. Today the weather channel warned that prolonged exposure to the severe wind chills could cause hypothermia and frostbite. The wind doesn’t mess around in Texas, so I’ll give them that, but their solution? Wear a hat and gloves. What about layers? And perhaps a coat? Nah, we’re Texans. We just need a hat and gloves.

Chickity Check It:

http://grahamguitar.blogspot.com/