Welcome, 2015

Hunting rocks in the hills of St. Peters with Puck and El Oso. Evening lecture in an old farmhouse on the hill, gray sky. Dark lake in the highland. Fossils, polished hematite…

“Mom?”

Dream over – 5:17AM.

“Yes, Puck?”

“My pillow fell off the bed in the night and I’ve been sleeping on my arm for the last half-hour.”

El Oso offered one of his three pillows for the big guy, and everyone back to sleep.

That’s how our New Years began.

Christmas sea food at the Silverspoon’s. That annual tradition where the family eats mostly shrimp and fried tilapia for those who don’t admire shrimps so much – yours truly. This time with cheese sticks and egg rolls and crab rangoon on the side. Puck even decided that a fried fish wasn’t such a bad idea and added one to his plate, garnished with a little ketchup, which was mildly surprising to witness. The things that surprise mamas.

With the holidays lingering, and very few obligations for anyone in general, this allowed El Oso and Izzy to compose the annual Christmas photo, which took a couple of hours to imagine, lay out, and snap.

The evening wrapped up into two parts, and two films. “Elf” in the basement with most of the family. Another tradition.

And then for me – 8:30PM showing of “Gods and Kings” – again – with Dad, Mom, and Francis. There are very few films I would see in the theater once, let alone twice, but this one made the cut in a big way.

Of course we sat in our seats for about forty minutes, anticipating a large crowd due to the New Year, which didn’t happen. Francis bussed in a load of buttered popcorn and sodas for himself and mom. I guess it fits that since I’m not a big movie person, I’m also not a big popcorn person.

Hit the feathers just at midnight.

Adoption Status Estimate: Down: 5 yrs, 4 mo.; To Go: 1 yr, 8 mos.