Some Lovely Snow, But Not Much

It's been much less snowy this winter compared with last year. And last winter, being my first in Boston, was my standard. I've been pretty disappointed that it hasn't snowed very much. On the plus side, I don't have to wear my winter boots every day to avoid getting my socks slushy. And people who have to plow their sidewalks (the law if you own your own house) and shovel their cars out appreciate it not snowing. It did snow earlier this week, and it seemed to fall as individual snow flakes, rather than in clumps of snow. Can you see in the picture below that the snow is kind of sparkly? It's because the snow remains in its snowflake shape even after it falls, rather than turning into a mass of snow.
Here's another shot of the snowflakes as individuals.
It really snowed very little that day, but the snowflakes were so beautiful, it almost made up for the lack of accumulation. Can you see the narrow post sticking out of the ground? It's one of the markers so the snow plows (were we to need any) would know where to plow, since the grass and paths would be covered up.
I was walking to work with my arms stretched out, watching all of the snowflakes land on me. It was awesome.



In addition to plowing the snow off to the side of the streets, the city sprays salt, sand, and some sort of chemical onto the streets to combat the snow. Here's Greg's car, salted.
Below are pictures of the different types of gunk deposited onto the streets, which then washes down to the Charles River, and then out to sea. I should figure out what this stuff is, and what the environmental impact is. I have to imagine the sheer volume from Boston's streets alone would affect the ecosystem.



Okay, on to happier things. I do love a good snowfall.

This view is from the Museum of Science. You can see the sheets of ice cracking on the Charles River.
Around the end of January, we had a rainy day with temperatures in the 50s. I was worried winter would be over, and with so little snow. Greg assured me this is normal. It's called the January Thaw, and it melts all of the leftover snow, which by this point had gotten pretty gross anyway. I was hoping it would clear the way for a few more major snow dumps but that remains to be seen.

And now, we turn indoors, where Billy had another staring contest with Marley from next door. That cat is a little weird. He just sits there, perfectly still, and stares at us.
I have so much lovely yarn, and several knitting projects under way.
Right now in Boston, at 10am, it is 20 degrees, and feels like 7. But it's 71 degrees in my apartment, and Billy just curled up on me, so maybe I'll wait awhile before going out.

Western Caribbean Cruise

Greg's sister-in-law organized a cruise to the Western Caribbean: Grand Cayman, Roatan (Honduras), Belize, and Cozumel (Mexico). It was my first group vacation, and it was really fun. We sailed on the Carnival Valor. Greg and I arrived a day early to visit my friend Abbey in Ft. Lauderdale. Abbey and I met when we were working on cruise ships and I haven't seen her in about five years. Southern Florida was experiencing record lows and it was in the 30s, much to Abbey's shock.I'm still having problems moving pictures around with my blogging tool, so these pictures are all out of sequence. The picture above is from the first day of the cruise in Miami, and the picture below is the last day of the cruise, on our sea day.

Here's most of the gang at Fat Tuesday's bar in Cozumel. On the trip were Greg's brother and sister-in-law (Shaney), Shaney's two brothers, Shaney's three girlfriends, a friend of Greg's, Greg and me.Cozumel
Greg and his brother Mark climbed the "ice burg". I climbed it, too, and it was really hard. It seems much higher up when you're up there.
On a mountain bike tour in Belize, Greg ate termites from a tree.
Roatan, Honduras

Wild parrots
Cactus in conchs, cool.

Bacab Eco Park in Belize


The monkey held on to our hair for support. He didn't pull though; he was a good monkey.


Rorke and Logan crossing the bridge




A turtle farm in Grand Cayman


We didn't feel any effects from the earthquake in Haiti. The cruise line set up a way for passengers to donate to the Red Cross through them, which I thought was really nice. I hope you're each donating what you can. Here's one way you can donate: http://clintonbushhaitifund.org/
Grand Cayman

Pics from my Dad

The Children's Pool in La Jolla

Holidays at Home

I had an American Airlines flight on December 23 to San Diego. When I got to the airport, I was told that my flight was canceled due to bad weather in Chicago, where I was due to lay over. I had been put on a flight for the following morning, Christmas Eve. There were no available flights that day, even with any of American's partners. My only chance was with Jet Blue - not a partner, but I was welcome to go to their ticket counter and see about getting on their 6pm flight. Jet Blue to the rescue! With a manager's special help (the flight was sort of sold out), I was able to book the tickets, and even purchasing them day-of, it was cheaper than American had been. Jet Blue doesn't charge for your first checked bag, and my flights, there and back, were nonstop. Plus, the Jet Blue people were much friendlier. I'm a new Jet Blue fan! I got a refund on my previous tickets, and never looked back. I did, however, have to spend most of the day in the airport, so I had a nice long lunch at Legal Seafoods and a pedicure. See the snow on the runway?

After such a long travel day, I was glad to get home.

Check out the line at Honey Baked Hams on Christmas Eve!

Sunset in my parents' backyard

Mr. Stripey Pants is a good sleeper.

Sunshine's dad Robert played the bagpipes on New Year's Day.

My dad got the flu, but we were able to go out to La Jolla Cove when he was on the mend. Unfortunately, my stepmom got the flu next, and is still sick - feel better soon Mom!

It snowed in Boston while I was away.