This and That

I'm sure you're fed up with my whining about our weather here, so I'll just say that I'm tired of the white stuff, and definitely ready for spring. Now that we have plenty of snow pack in our mountains for summer water needs and irrigation, it can quit any time!

By the time mini Snowmaggedon stopped this morning, everything was completely white, but thankfully, the temperature was too high for this round of snow to stick around. Take that, winter!! :) By the way, my neighbor refused to accept any money for the new fence (pictured), even a token $500 for all his labor. He keeps talking about Patt's generosity in paying for and building the original fence, and how Patt helped him move in, which I don't remember. I got a little weepy when he reiterated that he wouldn't take a cent from me; he's retired military and served with many guys who left widows, so he wanted to help me out. It's incredibly kind and thoughtful on his part, but I can't help feeling awkward about my complete lack of contribution. However, I'm just going to be gracious, and tell him a heartfelt thank you!

This shirt was offered for free on Facebook, so I went for it, even though I don't care much for this color. Perhaps I should take it with me to Austin? Sadly, the day Becky and I arrive, the temps there drop from the 70s into the 50s with chilly nights. Does it ever snow in Austin? That would be quite annoying! At least the cold Texas weather means I don't have to face the horror of trying on my over 30 years old tank swim suit. A 62 old body doesn't look the same as a 30 year old one, that's for sure!

Here are a bunch of my paternal relatives, and they definitely resemble each other. There's a certain look(and hair, lots of it) that distinguishes my dad's side of the family. The mystery of genetics fascinates me. To that end, I decided to order a 23 and me DNA kit, so that I can compare it with ancestry, mainly for ethnicity. Is my mom really French instead of Italian? Will I pick up any new connections through their site, although ancestry has a way bigger database? Anyway, my spit is on its way, so I'll be boring you sharing details in a month or so!

Last night John and I "went out on the town." These distinguished gentlemen are former students, brothers who have gone on to get PhDs; they are both professors. Daniel, on the left, is a composer and musician who teaches at Juilliard and Fordham, while John is a history prof at Portland State, specializing in medieval French history. When I suggested attending this because I am a huge lover of Scheherazade, plus I wanted to hear Daniel's Mount Rainier composition, John was eager for the experience. So, we dressed up in a dress(me) and slacks(him), had a lovely dinner in Tacoma, then walked up to Pantages for the concert. It was a fantastic experience, and I loved getting to chat with the boys! Pantages has been heavily remodeled; I found it beautiful and fancy, probably because I don't get out much to elegant theaters. Do you know what they neglected to update? THE WOMEN'S RESTROOM. Sigh. Tonight John and I will watch the Oscars(my first time, actually!); we've seen all the nominees for Best Picture, so it'll be fascinating to find out if we agree with the awards. He's leaning "Green Book," whereas I think "Roma" or "The Favourite" could triumph. "BlackkKlansman" was such a powerful film that I hope it gets something big, even if it's not best picture! At the end of that movie, I couldn't even speak, which for me is quite unusual. ;)  

 

Comments

[Snoskredz]

I am so glad Rami won for Bohemian Rhapsody. I've got BlackkKlansman and will make sure to drag it to the top of my to-watch list it after what you've said here. ;)

[Ally Bean]

I've not seen one of the movies nominated and don't recognize the names of most of the actors. I hope the ones you liked won. I saw a few pics of the women [and one man] wearing gowns and again not interested in any of it. I feel that I may have hit my curmudgeon years early! 🤔

[Liora]

I'll be excited to see what your DNA test results show. I've always wanted to do one of those. It's so cool that you stay in touch with former students. Sounds like these are a couple of real winners!

[Margaret]

He definitely deserved that win! I would be very interested in your opinion of BlackkKlansman. I found it incredible in many ways: the messages, the acting, the parallels to today, and the humor(which I wasn't expecting).

[Marie K]

We didn't watch the Oscars but Owen put all the movies we haven't seen on our watchlist. We watched Bohemian Rhapsody over the weekend and it was so good! How cool to see former students being so successful. Hopefully your snow didn't last long. We didn't get any. Woo Hoo!

[Tonya]

Interesting that you've taken the 23&Me test! The comparison with Ancestry should be fascinating.

I was very happy that Pete Davidson, I mean Rami Malik, won the best actor Oscar! Snort!

[Kristi Jalics]

Such a good neighbor, paying it forward...I am just reading Ann Cleeves Cold Earth and noticed the pathologist's name is Grieve. I would not have paid much attention to this before finding your blog.....My Ancestry DNA results were just updated which surprised me somewhat. I am adopted and through Ancestry found a first cousin on my birth father's side who gave me lots of information I had never had before.

[Pam]

I think accepting your neighbour's kindness is your own gift to him.

Our older daughter took a DNA test (and found, surprise surprise, that she's very Scottish). I kind of thought that there was some magic that allowed them to understand your actual ancestry, but then discovered that they just compare your results with other people who've submitted their saliva, look where they live and make assumptions about your likely ancestry. Which I suppose is obvious, but it's much less exciting.

One of our sons-in-law is the result of a sperm donation. It would be interesting to see the results of DNA testing for him (though I imagine that it would just suggest that he's English. Which he is). These things matter (to me) more now that our daughter and he have a baby daughter, and a quarter of her grandparents is a complete unknown.

[Zazzy]

I support you in you whining as you have always supported me. And Really! Are we all not ready for spring or at least a few days with sunshine? I am tired of cold and gray.I'm just afraid will skip right from gee it's so cold to oh my word it's hot like we have the past couple years. Reversed, of course, for autumn.

Safe travels, have fun down south!