Christmas in Texas
As I'm sure all of you are aware, the month-long season of Christmas is upon us. Despite the--to my mind--unseasonable temperatures, I am definitely beginning to feel the effects: increased laziness, desire to eat unhealthy foods, total inability to get anything useful done, and, of course, incontrovertible urge to shop! Sadly, my laziness of late has spilled over into my blogging, so I thought I should at least post you a few meditations on the season as experienced in Texas. Matt and I will be arriving home--in Fredericton on December 14--and in Miramichi on the 19th--and we are eagerly awaiting seeing friends and family when we arrive.
The weather has been utterly unbelievable lately. A week ago, we experienced a wave of humidity the likes of which I have never known. I practically lay stuck to the couch for three days. Every attempt to move resulted in my entire body being soaked in sweat. Our attempts to keep cool were thwarted by the fact that the apartment's central air had already been switched from cold-mode to hot-mode. Then, I believe on Wednesday night or so, the weather snapped, "winter mix" (variously identified as slush, hail and clod rain) started falling from the sky, and it became apparent how poorly insulated our windows are. I could see my breath on Thursday morning. The weather has now settled down to its sunny self, except that it is cold enough to require a sweater or light jacket. So, you see, in Waco, Christmas really is a season: the cold one.
One other event worthy of note: there is a Mennonite farming community called Homestead slightly north of Waco that holds a heritage fair every year, and I recently had a very nice time there. There is an extensive craft market, where I was quite overcome by the loveliness of the goods: everything from hand-made scented soaps and candles to pottery, artwork, handmade furniture and quilts. And the children of the community learn these skills quite young, meaning that half of the things on display had little tags on them, explaining that they were made by so-and-so, 13 years old. I had to keep reminding myself that I can come again next year, and that my finances will likely be in better condition by then. We also saw a sheep-dog at work, and checked out a lovely petting zoo. Actually, at the petting zoo, I saw one of the mysterious river turkey-ducks, but I still couldn't find its name anywhere. So that little mystery persists. Finally, there was a bit of a tour you could take to see bits of the working village: the blacksmith's shop, the grist-mill, the beehives. Very interesting! If anyone at Kings Landing is reading this, you may be interested to know that they run their grist mill off a small water-wheel rather than a turbine. How old-fashioned of them! ;) Also at the Heritage Homestead fair, I was stung by a wasp, bringing the total number of vicious bug-attacks I have suffered in Texas to four.
Anyway, pictures are always fun, so here are some pictures of Waco sites for your enjoyment.
Here is our apartment, featuring Matt hard at work on an end-of term paper. It's very small: you are looking at most of the living room and dining room, but it is big enough for us (just). Oh, also, in the foreground is my computer: the means of my communication with all of you.
This is Burleson Hall: home of Baylor's PoliSci program, and Matt's home away from home. It is decorated with its Christmas lights. This building is about four stories high: it frankly boggles my mind how they got those lights all strung up there. It's very pretty, though.
And here are Matt and I. Note the sweaters. Not our most flattering picture, perhaps, but we too about a dozen in a row trying to get one that looked this good, so it will have to do.
Well, I'll say goodbye for now, but I hope to see y'all soon.
The weather has been utterly unbelievable lately. A week ago, we experienced a wave of humidity the likes of which I have never known. I practically lay stuck to the couch for three days. Every attempt to move resulted in my entire body being soaked in sweat. Our attempts to keep cool were thwarted by the fact that the apartment's central air had already been switched from cold-mode to hot-mode. Then, I believe on Wednesday night or so, the weather snapped, "winter mix" (variously identified as slush, hail and clod rain) started falling from the sky, and it became apparent how poorly insulated our windows are. I could see my breath on Thursday morning. The weather has now settled down to its sunny self, except that it is cold enough to require a sweater or light jacket. So, you see, in Waco, Christmas really is a season: the cold one.
One other event worthy of note: there is a Mennonite farming community called Homestead slightly north of Waco that holds a heritage fair every year, and I recently had a very nice time there. There is an extensive craft market, where I was quite overcome by the loveliness of the goods: everything from hand-made scented soaps and candles to pottery, artwork, handmade furniture and quilts. And the children of the community learn these skills quite young, meaning that half of the things on display had little tags on them, explaining that they were made by so-and-so, 13 years old. I had to keep reminding myself that I can come again next year, and that my finances will likely be in better condition by then. We also saw a sheep-dog at work, and checked out a lovely petting zoo. Actually, at the petting zoo, I saw one of the mysterious river turkey-ducks, but I still couldn't find its name anywhere. So that little mystery persists. Finally, there was a bit of a tour you could take to see bits of the working village: the blacksmith's shop, the grist-mill, the beehives. Very interesting! If anyone at Kings Landing is reading this, you may be interested to know that they run their grist mill off a small water-wheel rather than a turbine. How old-fashioned of them! ;) Also at the Heritage Homestead fair, I was stung by a wasp, bringing the total number of vicious bug-attacks I have suffered in Texas to four.
Anyway, pictures are always fun, so here are some pictures of Waco sites for your enjoyment.
Here is our apartment, featuring Matt hard at work on an end-of term paper. It's very small: you are looking at most of the living room and dining room, but it is big enough for us (just). Oh, also, in the foreground is my computer: the means of my communication with all of you.
This is Burleson Hall: home of Baylor's PoliSci program, and Matt's home away from home. It is decorated with its Christmas lights. This building is about four stories high: it frankly boggles my mind how they got those lights all strung up there. It's very pretty, though.
And here are Matt and I. Note the sweaters. Not our most flattering picture, perhaps, but we too about a dozen in a row trying to get one that looked this good, so it will have to do.Well, I'll say goodbye for now, but I hope to see y'all soon.
posted by VFZ | 11:54 AM
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