Have you noticed that I’ve been silent lately? ‘Tis the season for finals, which means I’ve been trying to study instead of spending my time being creative (or lazy). It doesn’t always work. I stayed inside most of the day yesterday, refreshing my memory about the sternocleidomastoid and phonological processes like cluster reduction. Good times.
When I got up this morning, the sun was gleaming off the snow and I just had to bundle up and go for a walk. It was worth it. My neighborhood is even lovelier when covered with a fresh coat of snow. I smiled at the dogs who leapt with joy along the length of the beach. I tried to find a place to make a snow angel (it’s not deep enough yet). I walked out along the pier and marveled at the icebergs that dot the surface of the lake. And it’s still autumn. Imagine what the lake will look like in winter!
My main objective this morning, aside from getting out of my sweltering apartment, was to make a snowman. It’s harder than I expected! Maybe the snow needs to be wetter. Maybe I need a lesson. Maybe we need more than 3 inches. Who knows…. I managed to make a very small snowman with a leaf hat. It made me smile and gave me a break from thinking about the vocal tract. It was exactly what I needed.
Two finals down, and two to go. The big celebration will happen Wednesday night after 9pm, when I’ll be done with my first quarter at Northwestern. Rock on!
December 7, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I love the snowman/woman. Very creative! It’s hard to believe that much snow and it’s only the first week of December. Nice to see you posting and good luck on the next couple of finals. Fun awaits you!
December 7, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Yep, the snow has to wetter to make a snowman but only if you make it the old fashioned way. Yours is very sophisticated! If the snow is wet you make a big snowball and then roll it in the snow to enlarge. You do another for the top half and another for the head…There you go. I think the temps have to be warmer for wetter snow. I commend you for getting out in this weather. There is cold and then there is cold.
December 7, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Karen, I am crying looking at your snowman, and Paul is saying ..not interested! Not cute, don’t miss it! Bah Humbug!! Actually, he does miss parts of it, but he does love having flip flops on and working on his flowers in December! You 2 really switched places. Good luck w/ your finals..almost there!! Mason just finished his, and is on “Christmas Break” already! Love you, see you soon!!
December 11, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Hi, Karen — read this posting earlier but was on the run. I’ll say you did your best with what you had to work with on the snow-person! Just the look of the meal at the start of the posting makes me hungry — and, trust me, it’s just a feeling — I’ve missed NO meals! Glad you got your gas problem taken care of! A really “revoltin’ development” in this time of year in Chicago! We are so-o-o looking forward to seeing your smiling face at Christmastime!!! Lotsa love, Gram