December - What a Month!

So much to do, so little time - no, no longer true. My life in Oregon is so tiny compared to the life I led in Pacific Grove that I can no longer use that excuse. Not ever again. Not for anything. I now have plenty of time and love every non-busy second of it.

Right this minute my laptop is somewhat precariously balanced on my lap, my feet are propped on the coffee table, the gas fireplace is on, Christmas music is playing, the tree is lit and Wesley has added other decorations around the room in his own inimitable style. What more could I ask? 

I do love this time of year. The shortness of the days adds to their mystery. It's now almost dark by 4:30 and the air is quite crisp (and, often damp - who knew?)  Last night Stephanie, Dan and I took Wesley to watch the Christmas Express train in all its steaming glory set out on its once-per-hour trip around the surrounding neighborhoods, its decorated cars filled with excited children and parents. The 3 of them rode it this afternoon - much more to see in daylight, of course - but oh, it was magical to watch it depart, steam shooting up in the air in the darkness of last evening. Wesley was thrilled.

Thanksgiving was lovely - we gathered at Pattie's house in Novato. I, however, was the guest that no one wants at their table. What I thought was non-contagious food poisoning that I suffered through on the day before Thanksgiving ended up being quite contagious - I passed it on to many at the  celebration. Lovely. I hope that my role as Typhoid Mary will be forgotten when Thanksgiving rolls around next year.  

What was interesting was the very small article I spotted in The Oregonian the week after I returned. It stated that 3 schools in Oakland were closed because of a highly contagious intestinal sickness rapidly working its way through the schools. The description of the symptoms was exactly what I had experienced and - guess what? I had dinner with Lee in Oakland the evening I arrived in California. Ah, that is where I must have picked it up - or, dread thought, did I bring it down and end up infecting the whole school system? No, impossible . . . . yes?

I also spent a few days in Pacific Grove - it was lovely to visit with friends.  My house, rented to others, seems to be fine and, most importantly, survived a huge storm the evening I left (hmmm - is this a coincidence? Both disease and pestilence follow me.).

But now I am home enjoying the end-of-autum-almost-winter season. The first unusual activity was the marathon reading of Homer's The Iliad at the Portland Art Museum. It was in conjunction with it's latest exhibit, The Body Beautiful, a joint-effort with the British Museum that focuses on the Greek ideal of beauty. Lots of Greek pots and sculpture including The Discus Thrower. Magnificent exhibit and this particular event was lots of fun. 300+ volunteer readers read non-stop for 10 hours. I was reader #64. I was given a great section to read  - meaning no hard names to pronounce and it was somewhat exciting - a description of 2 rivals putting on their armor and then facing each other, enraged, spears raised. We were urged to read our 2-minute segments in another language if we wished (I wondered if pig latin would work? "Ehthay aisedray eirthay earspay . . ."). Most read in English but during the 3 hours that I stayed to listen several spoke in Greek, Latin, Russian, French, and Spanish. My favorites were the children who read. We received our sections a week early so clearly the students had practiced and each read perfectly. The girl pictured below (standing on a box) was probably 9 years old. An interesting way to spend a Sunday morning. While listening, I thought a lot about my husband who loved teaching The Iliad.

While we read, our section was projected on the screen behind so that all in the 
audience could follow along.

Yesterday afternoon I attended the 22nd Annual Tuba Christmas in downtown Portland. 283 musicians with a wide variety of tubas performed Christmas carols for 90 minutes. These included all the traditional ones and some quite untraditional - who knew Doe a Deer belonged in a Christmas program? Or the fight songs for both the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) and Oregon State (Go Beavers!)?  

One section of the audience - it wound around half of the plaza. I sat near the front on cold brick steps.  Note to self - next time bring a padded seat cushion!

While waiting for the performance to start a group on a scavenger hunt needed people to play foosball on the plaza so they could take a video of it. About a dozen people volunteered and played for a few minutes while the crowd cheered them on.

The tuba player in the Santa outfit won best costume (and decorated tuba - although you can hardly see it. I know, I know -  horrid photographer!)

The only folks who were protected from the weather were the tuba players - and of course you can't see them in the tent.  Look at the very back - can you see the sousaphones?  Look closely, way back. They are behind the other 200+ tuba players.

It was amazing to hear only tubas play music - some of the songs were magical, some haunting, and some, I must admit, were almost unrecognizable (when the conductor asked us to sing along with Away in A Manger I thought, "THAT was what they were playing?") But the 2000 people gathered in Pioneer Square in the light misty rain (and not a single umbrella - I looked far and wide - lots of hoodies and caps, however, oh those Oregonians!) had a good time singing along. 

I am busy at my two volunteer jobs. It's not a good time for those who are unemployed so we are giving out lots of food boxes at the emergency service place where I answer the telephone. At the other end of the spectrum, the library gift store is hopping with lots of Christmas goodies added to the usual assortment of used books and related cards, notebooks, calendars etc. for sale. Much fun in that all visitors seem to be in a good mood, especially when they spot the perfect little something for someone on their Christmas list.

So all is well here and I hope you are all enjoying this lovely season. It only comes once a year, you know, so go grab a cup of eggnog and celebrate every second of this joyous time with friends and family.

Much love to you all and Merry Christmas!