Barbara J. Hamby

Rain, Snow and Sunshine

That’s the order in which our weather has occurred today and I like that. The dusting of snow has disappeared. It’s still cold outside so it’s nice to be inside looking out.

I had thought about going to a poetry reading in Vancouver this afternoon—a celebration of William Stafford’s birthday month. When I got out of the pool after my workout, it didn’t seem as if it would be worth the drive in my state of fatigue. Old age is getting to me, I guess. Most of the other readings that are located closer to home, are in the evenings and I still don’t like driving at night much, even with my improved vision. Especially if I don’t know where I’m going.

So I’ve spent the afternoon watching figure skating on TV and reading old letters. I’ve finished the ones from my three sisters and am now reading cards and letters from my two offspring. My daughter spent a couple of years in Nome, Alaska and my son spent four years in the Marines. Going through this old family history is helping me get a fix on what happened when, that will help with writing and assembling memoir stories.

Yesterday I bought new black jeans two sizes smaller than I have been wearing and they fit. That was fun! The swimsuit I bought for Hawaii is several sizes smaller also. It’s a bit snug, but shouldn’t be by the time we leave next month. Now I need to develop a program to get me through two weeks on a cruise ship without gaining. There are always lots of fruits and vegetables available and those chefs have wonderfully creative ways of cooking fish, but oh—the desserts!

Meanwhile, it’s soup for supper for me most nights.