"Chelsea-by-the-Sea at Christmastime" we captioned the above photoshop-enhanced image we used on our Christmas card that year, published here in our very first blogpost way back on December 12, 2003. Our commentary then set the tone for our ongoing crusade to keep the homefires burning:
The tidings that dare not speak their name.
We wish you a Merry Christmas.
Our poet in residence, the "ineffable effable effanineffable deep and inscrutable singular" Elisson weighs in in the comments to our earlier post on the ice storm that was:
On little cat feet.
It sits, encrusting
the harbor and city
with glittering beauty
and then knocks out the power throughout the region.
Gawd, I hate the sleet.
(Apologies to Carl Sandburg)
Also, three more ineffable effable effanineffable things to contemplate this day:
1. Sissy's 64th birthday. We would NEVER be that old at home. Tuck took us out to the local bistro across the Creek, Kelly Square Pub in East Boston, for a totally awesome two-martini lunch with burger and fries. We walked over and back. Way to go.
2. Our blog, sisu's 5th anniversary fell last Friday, forgotten amidst ice storms and cat asthma crises now resolved. Tiny's had asthma all her life and now is on steroids and Flovent inhaler with plans to taper off the steroids. Babe, meantime, recently developed chronic allergic rhinitis, diagnosed after CAT scan, tracheal wash and other disagreeable "procedures" at state-of-the-art Angell Memorial MSPCA. We're now fine tuning his maintenance meds. Had read recently that asthma in humans is in the genes. Same with cats? We DO have a lot of dust around this old house (above photo), but electrostatic filters are way beyond our budgetary means. When the going gets dusty, the dustmasters get out the vacuum cleaner?
3. Goomp's power and internet access restored this evening. You go, Energizer Bunny!
Gasp. Exhausted at the thought of it all.
Whoever could imagine a time when that Beatles classic would apply to us? Happiest of birthdays, my dearest Sissy...and a most felicitous Bloggy-Versary, as well.
May you enjoy many, many more, all without limit to any good thing.
Posted by: Elisson | December 15, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Happy, Happy Birthday and blogiversary too. The picture above is gorgeous! I'm jealous.
Posted by: kimsch | December 15, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Elisson's takeoff on Sandburg reminds me of Ezra Pound's parody (c.1913) of "Sumer is icumen in"--
Winter is icumen in,
Lhude sing Goddamm,
Raineth drop and staineth slop,
And how the wind doth ramm!
Sing: Goddamm.
Skiddeth bus and sloppeth us,
An ague hath my ham.
Freezeth river, turneth liver,
Damm you; Sing: Goddamm.
Goddamm, Goddamm, 'tis why I am, Goddamm,
So 'gainst the winter's balm.
Sing goddamm, damm, sing goddamm,
Sing goddamm, sing goddamm, DAMM
Posted by: Connecticut Yankee | December 16, 2008 at 02:43 AM
Yank - Did that one last">http://elisson1.blogspot.com/2008/12/fuzzy-friday_12.html">last week. Heh!
Posted by: Elisson | December 16, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Sissy - happy, happy birthday. Bear in mind - I'm still (and always will be) older than you!
Also, happy blogiversary - clicking over to Sisu is a morning ritual I don't ever want to give up!
Even though we'll likely never meet - I consider you and Tuck and the Babe and Tiny and, never least, Goomp to be part of my family.
I detest sleet and ice storms! Wouldn't you think that what with global warming and all we wouldn't have them any longer? Hmmmmm!
Posted by: Gayle Miller | December 16, 2008 at 02:14 PM
I didn't know it was a blogoversary too!!! May you have many more years of bloggy fun.
Glad to hear that Tiny and Baby are feeling a bit better with medication. Poor little furbabies. Gentle pets headed their way.
Of course YAY for Goomp having not only power, but internet too. He's only a day behind us. ;-) Life is good if one can get online.
Last of all - we really must find a way to get you and Elisson together. How delightful that would be.
Posted by: Teresa | December 16, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Who could love sleet? A nice fluffy snowfall on Xmas Eve adds to the spirit of the season and makes a path for Santa's sleigh. That's enough winter for me.
Posted by: goompa | December 16, 2008 at 05:21 PM
I don't even like rain. I do, however, love your blog and kitties. I had no idea what they'd been thru. All those tests. Poor Babe. Give them extra treats for me.
Happy Birthday and Blogiversary! May you have many more of both.
Posted by: mog | December 16, 2008 at 10:51 PM