The Rains Come To Stay

Fleer and snark the "holidays" as you please - and I do please, and thank you, I have little truck with the fatuousness of the "holiday season" as it exists in America circa 2009 where, like a mackerel in the moonlight they doth both shine and stink - they are bright and cheery with light displays and the public celebration.But now we enter the Dark Ages, that long slog between the New Year and the Vernal Equinox, when the days are short and cold, the weather dour, wet and uncharitable. Every year they kindle a spark of pity in me for the troopers of Captain Lewis's expedition who spent 106 winter days near what is today Astoria, Oregon, and saw the sun for only a dozen or so. "All wett and disagreeable" wrote Captain Clark, and I know how he felt. Monday this week I spent drilling in the cold rain and wind, topped up with cold medicine and feeling generally mean and griping.I truly dislike this time of year.We're also trying to wean the kidlets off the electronic babysitters - computer and television - which means that the day starts before six and doesn't end until the last little has been settled in, around eight thirty. THEN we can make lunches, read, talk, watch television or play on the computer. It makes for a very long day, and the short daylight doesn't help. The day seems more drudging when you begin and end your workday in darkness.

But it's eight weeks or so. We can do eight weeks. Right?

I think.


C'mooooon, sun.

In the meanwhile, enjoy a visit to "Married To The Sea" for some funny-ass cartoons.I'm serious. Joe Bob says check 'em out.