The Joys of the Pediatrician

I'm listening to the screams of a child next door.  No he's not being abused, but apparently, he is not very fond of the doctor.  Quoting one of our nurses as she walks by: "Gosh, we haven't even touched him yet and he's screaming bloody murder."  I guess getting weighed precludes the trauma that will follow, and he's not dumb.  I might find it annoying to listening to screaming children all day, if it weren't so amusing.  Kids can be funny, even when they're crying.  Drama, drama.

It's inspiring when I hear or read a really good quote.  This is one I heard tonight: "There is a sacredness in tears.  They are not a mark of weakness, but of power.  They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.  They are messengers of overwhelming grief... and unspeakable love."  Washington Irving

How Small Can They Go?

I was dreading my recent 13+ hour international flight in coach class, afraid that the rare (if not, once in a lifetime) first class international flight I took last year would have completely spoiled me.  I was somewhat pleasantly (or not as unpleasantly) surprised that the coach class seats weren't really that bad.  Granted, you couldn't recline nearly flat or curl up on your side to sleep, nor were you served with real dinnerware, but I actually got some reasonably comfortable sleep and felt like I had reasonable leg room.  Thank you El Al Air.

But, my blissful ignorance was blown after flying coach class on a red eye flight 2 nights ago, just days before Christmas.  My knees touched the seat in front of me (with only minimal slouching).  My hips wouldn't have been able to shift if they had been much bigger (I'm not that big am I?).  I couldn't tuck my feet into the magazine pocket, as I usually do, because there wasn't any room -- maybe my feet were too swollen?  And the amount of reclining can't really even be quantified into a significant number.  Thank you NWA -- I retract any previously glowing reviews.

According to recent reports, average seat width is approximately 17 inches.  If you walk through any typical American mall, the average gluteus maximus width is definitely not 17 inches.  Seat pitch, which basically is from the back of your seat to the seat in front of you, is approximately 31 inches.  Fly Midwest Express and you get a glorious 21 inch wide seat with a pitch of 33 inches.  I guess those few inches can make all the difference.  We won't go into the dimensions of a business or first class seat as it would probably send the majority of us into a serious depressive episode.

Which reminds me of a recent nightmare of a flight, when my seat neighbor arrived with the comment: "Oh good, a skinny person."  Let's just say that I didn't even get my 17 inches.  Ah, the joys of travel.

The ever shortening days...

Sunset from Crafton at 4:45pm

The Winter Solstice is nearly here, and you really can't miss it.  It's hard to get out of bed in the morning because it is still dark, and it hardly seems like it could possibly be a time to get up.    And then it's dark at night when you leave for work.  It really makes it seem like you're working late.  At 7pm, it feels like it's bedtime because it's already been dark for forever (not that I still ever make it to bed at a decent hour).

There's a lot of history behind the Winter Solstice.  So I've reverted back to educating my blog readers (however few of you there are); might as well since I'm educating myself too. 

The Winter Solstice, which this year occurs on the 21st of December, is the time when the earth’s axis tilts furthest away from the sun (23 degrees 26’ to be exact). It is also the day when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky. This moment occurs in only an instant, but it is traditionally known as the shortest day of the year. And (yea!) means that the days after this will start getting longer.  Thank goodness!  This actually occurs in June for people living in the Southern Hemisphere (makes sense). Solstice comes from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to sit still).

In 45 BC, the Romans set the winter solstice based on the Julian Calendar, as December 25th. Which became the day on which the birth of Christ was traditionally observed, otherwise known as Christmas (I know you know this already, but this is going somewhere). Over the years, Christians incorporated folk traditions of the winter solstice into the celebrations of Christimas.

One of the main folk traditions is that of Juletid (Yule, Jul, or Yuletide) which started with the Scandinavian Norse (eventual Norway) and Germanic tribes. One of these European midwinter celebrations was also The Feast of the Dead. The night of December 24th to the 25th was eventually signed into law as the day in which Yule was to be celebrated to align with the Christian celebrations. Some of these folk traditions were meant to honor pagan gods, such as Thor, the god of thunder.

Folk traditions which were incorporated into the Christian Christmas, include the use of the word Yule or Yuletide, gift giving, good deeds and singing (caroling).

So there you have it, at least if you believe Wikipedia. But there is a lot more to be had, so if you want to, read away. I only give you the nutshell.

It's beginning to feel a lot like...

Christmas!  Having been a cold weather girl for the first 22 years of my life, it's hard to imagine that it's Christmas around here.  Actually, calling myself a "cold weather girl" is a little bit of a misnomer, as I've never liked cold weather.  I guess I should just say "Having grown up in cold weather..."  No matter.  It really is hard to believe another year has gone by and it's Christmas already.  I guess that's what comes with age.  One year flying by and another starting.  Well, this year I want to be in the Christmas spirit.  I feel like it's been 2 years since I last celebrated (in reality, it kind of has been).  So, since it's been difficult getting the feeling of Christmas, I've gotten into the decorating spirit.  And, wah lah!  It feels like Christmas.  I even have a tree.  Ain't it beautiful?!?  Hard to believe it's fake.  I never thought I'd say this, but I'm starting to think fake is the way to go...

The things I'll do for him

A couple of days ago, I mentioned the possibility of making chili.  So this afternoon, I hear: "Are you still thinking about making that chili?"  Sure baby, anything for you.  Well, 3 hours later, this is what my fingers look like.  Apparently, when cutting up hot chili peppers, one should wear rubber gloves (not latex because it will soak through).  Note to self...  A paste of baking powder helps, but my fingers still feel like they are on fire.

Rain, rain, go away....

So apparently I have a second case of PTSD.  I discovered it today.  You see it was raining.  And I had to drive to Fontucky.  Flash backs of hydroplaning!  I was nervous to be driving.  How can this be?  I love to drive, and, as most of you know, I don't know the word "slow."  California really needs to figure out how to make roads that the water drains off of, not pools on into big puddles.  It forced me to drive slow.  Yes, me!  (Don't faint dead away, it's true!)  Okay, so I wasn't the slowest person on the road, but nearly, and I never even got in the fast lane.  It's official now, I was a Michigan girl, but now I can't drive in the rain either.  I am truly a Californian.

I'm cheating on Stells

I feel guilty.  I have to confess.  But there's just something about Starbucks at Christmas time.  The  yummy Egg Nog Latte.  The spicey Gingerbread Latte.  A tasty Peppermint Mocha.  Oh, the choices!  And they are so good.  Such a guilty pleasure.  Stell Coffee Shop, I love you!   But I just can't help myself.