Let’s start with a couple of new welcomes. I’d like to welcome the Montanans – Bill Halpin and Micheline Bisailon from Bozeman. This is the first notice to these kind folks that they have been officially added to the blog list. If you guys want to see the history of what’s goin’ on, look through the archives. Otherwise, jump in and hold on. This is my monthly, or so, letter to family and friends – an update of sorts. If someone isn’t having as much fun reading these as I am writing them, you can opt out anytime by emailing me. I don’t want to presume anyone gives a hoot. Hearing no objections, on we go.
As the title suggests, Amy and I have changed our Europe plans. It looks like it’s just plain easier, and therefore more fun, to stay in Iberia and forget the ferry to Naples, Capri, La Costa Amalfi, etc. Ciao. We’re going to stay in Spain and make our way from Granada through Andalusia and up Portugal, to Galicia and los Picos de Europa, and back to Madrid. It sounds like a thoroughly acceptable change to me. It will give me a chance to try some Portuges and both of us a chance to explore more of Espana. Does anybody know how to get a f’in tilde onto a word?
Christmas, the New Year, and Starvation
I want to thank, electronically, everyone for the wonderful gifts and cards you all sent to Amy and I. We have had a wonderful Christmas break, even though it was filled with work for both of us. I spent every day but 4 working on our new floor. Such a floor! It is something else, if I do say so myself. I put red oak (original to the period and house style) with a maple and walnut border inlay in the dining and living rooms. Here’s a pic of the finished product, but you’ll have to see it for yourself to really love it, as we do.
Amy spent all but 4 days grading and planning, and is fit to be tied because of it. We spent Christmas Eve with John and Christmas day with Alex and Kari and Anja, who is doing much better. Our Christmas dinner was pork tamales in a bowl of green chile, made with our roasted Anaheim chiles from the summer. I got real manteca, masa and dried chiles from the mexican supermarcado. Yum.
Socks
A couple of evenings ago I was putting away the socks I got and had to take a pic of my current sock collection. To all of you who got me socks – thank you. I love good socks and wouldn’t want to discourage further sock gifts. But, I thought you all would like to see the current state of my sock drawer, just so we all have some perspective.
Barbara gets a big thank you from both of us. She has been slowly building our collection of Polish pottery, as many of you know. Amy thinks this is a fine hobby for Barbara to pursue. I’ll include a picture of the casserole we got this year, because many of you have not seen it and it is beautiful! Thanks to mom and Rachel as well, who were in on the gig. The bowl on the left is one of the first pieces we ever got. We also got a sweet dozen bottles of tasty Washington (mostly) wine from Leslie. Half of them are gone. You guys spoil us.
Starvation? Why is that in the title, you are no doubt asking? I included it simply because I believe the post-holidays is the time of year for fasting and self imposed depravation. Amy and I have taken to doing this lately, and it really makes us appreciate our good fortune. Winter fasting has historic meaning, stretching the larder until the first fruits of spring, and we believe it is important to connect with that past. It is also good for you. Last year we ate gigantic horse pills (gut grenades according to Ron) that were supposed to detoxify us, which they might have, but really it just seemed to prevent us from drinking any alcohol for a month. This year, I think I’ll take an herbal detox tea I got last summer, and drink only once a week until Easter. Just thought you should know.
Winter
We were loaned a condo in McCall last week, so we spent two nights up there and did the winter thing. I forget what it’s like to live in snow deeper than 1 inch, but was reminded because McCall has it everywhere. It is, and I quote Amy here – a bunch of white shit everywhere. We went skiing and walked out on the lake in the wintry silence. The skiing was nice. It made me long for a day of no tracks, good wax, and deep powder again. I managed to sneak of pic of Amy doing her “Queen Elizabeth” face. She hates it, but it was such a coup snapping it that I had to include it. This was right before we headed downhill and she stuck an accidental airborne moment.
No grant
I just found out that the $75,000 grant I was involved in for the house next year was not funded. I had big hopes for this, so the news is unfortunate. It doesn’t surprise me, though. (The University of Idaho’s entire graduate program was just labeled “stuck in the past” by an independent audit) There is an oppressive conservatism that flourishes here and never supports a progressive idea to germination. As a recap – the plan was to coordinate with BSU’s construction management and mechanical engineering departments to design and build a high efficiency house, complete with a ground source heat pump, active and passive solar energy production, high efficiency lighting and appliances, and to build it with as many carbon kind products and methodology as possible. The university would then monitor the energy use for research. My plan was to partner with the city and the US Green Building Council to showcase the house to builders, designers and consumers citywide. Alas. Hope is not all lost, however. I am going to write a separate $20,000 grant to the USGBC in February. As for progress this year – the outside looks the same – kind of ratty. The action is inside, where we are hanging drywall and will be able to turn on the heat soon.
Hope all is well and you are enjoying the winter. Remember, the days get longer every day. Scott
