...the weather is schizo. Rainstorms and then sunshine.
...there is a store in the mall that sell things only sold on TV.
...there are commercial breaks every seven minutes on television.
...people are nervous about the economy. Houses everywhere are being repossessed and the malls were packed with people returning things, but not buying.
...I like having a car.
...my mum has an Omega shiatsu massage chair that works you over like a masseur. I've named it. We're in love.
...it's familiar and foreign at the same time.
The sun is out, and the that's the novelty of this trip. Bright, clear, cool but changeable and I think another storm is on the way.
The economy is the topic of every conversation. Almost everyone has been affected in one way or another. The flat next door has been repossessed and is unlikely to be the only one in the area. Stores are closing. The sales are extreme but still not driving people to spend.
We have quiet Christmases. There are no children. Mum works and isn't done until Christmas afternoon. I cook for her. We ate prime rib and crab. We drank wine. We opened presents late in the afternoon and had a leisurely meal. There is a lot of extended family in the area, but we have our quiet informal celebration.
My mum stunned us with a story about a man she was engaged to when she met my father. We never knew she was engaged to someone else. Or that she was a nanny. Or really what life in the midwest in the early 60s was like. How strange to know so little about one's parents before we were around. Still there is something new to learn from sitting and talking about life experience's over a bottle of wine.
It's nice to be able to share a relaxing holiday with family. So many have to deal with familial drama and emotional battle. People are driven to vent anyway they can (including Facebook status updates). I think we dealt with all of our drama years ago. We are comfortable in each other's presence now. That is a blessing.
As is seeing friends. Being made jealous by their lives, loves, interests and passions. How wonderful to see people thrive and enjoy life. And to rekindle familiar friendships based on long intersecting threads of memories.
Midway through the trip I'm content. And that's good.
