Right now–AS I TYPE THIS–members of the UCF (besides myself) are sitting in my living room.

Here are some pictures from our adventures so far.

Jeri and the Very Small House
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The Declaration of Independence

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
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As I mentioned to my friend Erin on twitter, I think it is fitting that the death of Senator Byrd has created an extra long Independence Day weekend to West Virginians.

Most who have never lived here do not understand precisely what Senator Robert C. Byrd meant to the state and its residents. They know he was was a member of Congress longer than anyone else ever. They know he was called the King of Pork. They may even know he had been majority leader, minority leader, and President Pro Tem of the Senate. What they don’t understand–can’t understand really–is what all this meant to those of us who lived here.

Senator Byrd had a checkered past in some ways. He was born in a time when racism was accepted and spent the first part of his life believing in those principles. However, he came to discover that outside differences mean nothing, and he came to profoundly regret his earlier beliefs and apologized for his earlier beliefs and actions.

Senator Byrd was the first person in his family to go to school past the second grade. While he was in Washington D.C. representing West Virginia, he got his law degree by taking night classes. But his education was far greater than that. He was a musician, a lover of poetry and verse, and he revered the Constitution and this country.

He went to Washington DC with one objective–to represent his state and to do everything in his power to improve the lives of its citizens. The “King of Pork” wasn’t an insult to him, or to those of us who lived here. He didn’t want to build a bridge to nowhere, he wanted to bring in money to improve the state and its population. He helped us build roads. He helped us build infrastructure. He helped drive government agencies and projects to the state. And he helped build the educational system in the state.

The building in which I work is officially called the Robert C Byrd Health Sciences Center, and within that complex of structures we have one of the top Rural Health programs in the country. The money he brought in did far more than provide jobs–it helped to create an educational system dedicated not just to educating future health professionals but to improve the health of all the citizens of the state by sending its students throughout the state to help provide health care in isolated and impoverished areas.

This is the legacy he left us.

He helped create systems that do more than create a handful of jobs, these systems support and improve the entire state and all its citizens. These systems attempt to reach out to those in isolation and poverty and provide them with the things that most people take for granted: Roads. Education. Health care.

He was a great man, and his like will not be seen again.

Also, Happy Birthday to Cathy, and to Phiala as well.

It’s World Sauntering Day!

Someone needs to go saunter for me, since I’m incapable of it yet.

Happy Birthday today to two people, to my brother, who I’m sure is now short of sleep taking care of my beautiful new niece, and to Gina, best wife a girl could want. ;)

Don’t forget your towel!

This planet has — or rather had — a problem, which was this: most of the people living on it were unhappy for pretty much all of the time. Many solutions were suggested for this problem, but most of these were largely concerned with the movement of small green pieces of paper, which was odd because on the whole it wasn’t the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy.

Happy Birthday Eric!

You’re 47 this year, right?

Those of you who follow me on Twitter probably noticed I was in Cincinnati for the weekend. What I was doing was visiting friends (Susan, Andy, Heather & Andy & Heather’s offspring), and eating my weight in ice cream.

It was a very good weekend.

Saturday was gorgeous, and we all went to the aquarium. Although she wasn’t too sure about me at first, Natalie quickly warmed up to me (I swear, it’s the hair. Kids are fascinated by my hair.) which made the aquarium even more fun.

Natalie checking out the giant octopus mural.
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Happy New Year!

(rawr! fftt! fftt!)

Loving Your Enemies
7 November 1957
…
So I want to turn your attention to this subject: “Loving Your Enemies.” It’s so basic to me because it is a part of my basic philosophical and theological orientation—the whole idea of love, the whole philosophy of love. In the fifth chapter of the gospel as recorded by Saint Matthew, we read these very arresting words flowing from the lips of our Lord and Master: “Ye have heard that it has been said, ‘Thou shall love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.’ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.”
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“What? Me? I wouldn’t attack the Christmas tree! No way!”

“Pay no mind to the furry gift under the tree.”

And we’re back to work.

It was an exciting vacation. I baked–a lot. And I branched out from cookies and made breads as well: challah, Italian bread, pumpkin bread, and cranberry walnut bread.

We had the family Christmas gathering which was insane and chaotic but also a lot of fun. (We made Lithuanian cookies again, which added to the insanity–and the mess.)

And I got some fun loot. I learned my lesson this year, and picked out my large gifts myself, so Michael gave me a wonderful new pair of boots. I had wanted a new pair of snow boots, but couldn’t find any, and found these instead.

They are incredibly comfortable. I love them!

And of course I got books. Amusingly, my brother and Michael both got me the same books (well, Brian got me more books, but every book Michael got me, Brian also got me).

We did have some excitement: Kat (who is declawed mind you) got pissy with Grandmom and swatted her with enough force to break the skin. So that eventually led to a trip to Urgent Care and antibiotics.

And Kat in the dog house (so to speak).

All in all, the holidays were enjoyable, and I am very glad I took the full two weeks off. Back to work today, but luckily it’s another week before the students come back, so I can ease into things.

Plans for today: Watch the Rose Bowl Parade. Watch the Gator Bowl. Read. Nap. Read.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Why it looks like a blog!

(blows dust off top of bookcase)

Looks like someone has been neglecting the place.

As the physical house is getting cleaned today, the likelihood of anything more entertaining appearing here is quite low.

But you’re more than welcome to make yourself comfortable in the interim. Plenty of cookies and legal beverages. Have a seat, pet the cats, just look our for Kat, he’s been pissy lately.

Adeste, fideles, laeti triumphantes;
Venite, venite in Bethlehem.
Natum videte Regem angelorum.

Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine,
Parturit virgo mater,
Deum verum, genitum, non factum.

Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus, Dominum.

En grege relicto, humiles ad cunas
Vocati pastores approperant:
Et nos ovanti gradu festinemus.

Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus, Dominum.

Stella duce, Magi Christum adorantes,
Aurum, thus, et myrrham dant munera.
Jesu infanti corda praebeamus.

Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus, Dominum.

Aeterni Parrentis splendorem aeternum
Velatum sub carne videbimus,
Deum infantem, pannis involutem.

Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus, Dominum.

Pro nobis egenum et foeno cubantem
Piis foveamus amplexibus;
Sic nos amantem quis non redamaret?

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

by Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston

I’ve joked for years that most guys I know treat me like the little sister they never wanted.

Now I have further proof.

Over a year ago, I came home to discover a surprise package. Why yes, I did in fact receive six bottles of bird vomit. How lucky am I?

So yesterday, I received yet another package in the mail. Now, before I show you what I receive, you should know that two of my friends also received packages.

Anne is very excited about her package of ramen, and MWT was thrilled to have received a box of sachima.

So what did Michelle receive, may you ask?

Was I this excited about my loot?

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Don’t forget to celebrate in the traditional way!

Happy solstice!

New poll in the sidebar: what’s your favorite Christmas Carol.

This doesn’t include hymns, which you might sing while caroling. Of course, the last time I remember caroling, was for French club in high school. We went around my French teachers neighborhood, singing French Christmas carols, to her neighbors. Then we went back to her house and had a party.

Anyway, your favorite Christmas carols?

Saturday I cut out sugar cookies and baked them. They still need iced, but that’s for another day.

WVU Alert 12:41 PM

WVU Closed beginning 1:30 pm today until further notice. Updates: wvu.edu

Spent the weekend making Christmas cookies (most of which are frozen/refrigerated in dough form).

Any requests before I finish up next weekend?