The waning of the old year

I went out to try to walk the bridge today. "Tried" is the operative word. We had a thaw a couple of days ago, long enough for the snow to melt, and then another freeze, leaving a thick layer of ice on pavements and streets everywhere. Then last night we had another couple inches of snow, so footing was very treacherous.

The bridge was deserted. I ventured about 100 feet and then after one too many wobbles, decided to give up and turn back. I was afraid I'd take a major spill. The sky was dove gray and featureless, aside from the plumes of steam from chimneys of buildings overlooking the river. Everything seemed tired and discouraged.

I'm ready for the new year.

Mexico!

I've mentioned Fiona's two previous mission trips with my sister's church to go work at the Casa Hogar Elim orphanage in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. When she came home last year, I felt a stirring, a call, to go myself in 2009. When Rob lost his job, this, of course, seemed impossible. But two separate families, unasked, have stepped forward to volunteer to send back not only Fiona but Delia and me.

I'm going to Mexico this spring! I'll be with Fiona on her sixteenth birthday in Mexico, working to decrease world suck, which I think is just wonderful. Many thanks to the donors!

Now I have to get a passport for Delia and me. . .

Question meme . . .

If ellen_kushner was brave enough to post this, then hey, why not me?*

If you could force me to write anything, what would it be?

(*Realizing, of course, that I'm not saying I'll actually do it. I'm just curious as to how people will respond . . .)