Christmas in Washington

"Christmas in Washington" - Steve Earle

A personal favorite by a personal favorite. 

Hope your day was great and that all is well.  A nasty rain is falling on our nation's capital, melting the snow and leaving quite the mess on our streets.  An excellent night to stay put, keep the family close, put on a movie or grab a book -- I'm finishing up Ian Kershaw's second volume on Hitler, 'cause nothing say Christmas like der fuhrer -- and pour a tall one.

Comments

[oddjob]

A nasty rain is falling on our nation's capital, melting the snow and leaving quite the mess on our streets.

We're due for that in about 24 hours.

[litbrit]

Oh dear, what a yucky weather weekend all around, I'm afraid. Here in the "Sunshine State", we've got ridiculous warmth--considering the time of year--and impending rain and cooler temperatures. All under a very overcast sky, which is totally fine by me, sunshine-avoider that I am. But a crisp, fire-in-the-fireplace-inspiring morning it was not.

Not that it never freezes here, but it's so rare, the few times it has become that cold stand out as humorous holiday tales. The most recent Christmas freeze, which was several years ago, featured several really confused dogs who found themselves wearing sweaters for the first time ever--itself pretty funny: just imagine pit bulls and shepherd-mutts wearing sweaters--and getting their tongues stuck to their frozen water bowls and then looking up at me with this accusatory air, all "Mama! What the hell kind of spell did you cast on our drinking water to make it rock-hard?"

If I'm honest, though, I'll admit that as much as I miss the seasons, I am someone who likes for the weather to be cold but for me to be warm. I am the target market for blankies, beanies, wool socks, Thermocare patches and other assorted warming devices, and silk long-johns. Yes, even in Florida (blame the notoriously useless body thermostat of middle-aged femaledom--I'm ALWAYS cold).

oddjob, I've walked around Boston in late November, and that was cold enough for me--possibly even colder than England was at its chilliest. I sympathize! The coldest I've ever been, ever, was when R and I were in Montréal one February, and it was so far below 0 degrees, one could not venture outside with any uncovered skin for more than a moment or two. Even under a scarf, my earrings froze to my earlobes, which was the strangest thing, and the tiny hairs in my nose froze so that if I rubbed my face, I could hear crunching noises. Brrrrr!

Stay warm, everyone. After recounting those icy memories, I now feel moved to go and grab a small Italian or two and make some hot chocolate.

[oddjob]

Not that it never freezes here, but it's so rare, the few times it has become that cold stand out as humorous holiday tales.

I was there during one of your January freezes. I was with my mom, examining new homes in a development north of W. Palm Beach when the agent for the development told us Challenger had just exploded, and then I knew that what I had seen in the sky just before we drove into the new development had not been what was supposed to happen, and I suddenly understood why I had seen people pulling off of the interstate while we had been driving to the new development..........

oddjob, I've walked around Boston in late November, and that was cold enough for me--possibly even colder than England was at its chilliest. I sympathize! The coldest I've ever been, ever, was when R and I were in Montréal one February, and it was so far below 0 degrees, one could not venture outside with any uncovered skin for more than a moment or two. Even under a scarf, my earrings froze to my earlobes, which was the strangest thing, and the tiny hairs in my nose froze so that if I rubbed my face, I could hear crunching noises. Brrrrr!

NOT the best time of year to visit Boston!!! You need to visit during late May/June or September/early October!!

The cold weather in Boston is like England's cold weather, but much colder (more like Scotland's). You can imagine how Housemate (now a citizen, but born in Medellin, Colombia) responds to it, even after having been here since the early 90's!

I've never been to the Royal Mount, but I've visited Quebec City during high summer of a wet, cool summer ('96). I still remember how weird I found it to arrive during a rain storm and dry off in my hotel while watching people walk down the street in winter parkas during a rain storm in August! (Fortunately the rest of the week was much nicer, with high temps. in the 70's.) Long ago I decided that I very much doubt I could be a Canadian ex-pat. I think the only city of size where I could stand the temps. would be Vancouver, but then I'm not at all sure I could stand the maritime climate, with its endless winter drizzle/rain/wet snow/ice (& likewise I very much doubt I could stand Seattle or Portland, OR).

[Sir Charles]

Hey D. Merry Christmas!

Montreal is lovely. It's been too long since I've been there.

oddjob,

It's pretty drivable from Lynn -- shorter than to DC. Go in the summer though.

[oddjob]

Go in the summer though.

Money has since been tight. When circumstances permit, Housemate & I will visit!

[Delicious Pundit]

It's still Christmas here in LA, and the house is quiet and the world is calm. My family from Upstate NY got off the plane today and marveled at the weather. "Oh," I said. "We think it's chilly."

So, as 1970s-era Christopher Guest might have said, have a Kung Fu Christmas (actual song starts about :48 in).

[big bad wolf]

at my house, we usually play earle's copperhead row for christmas:)but i really like this song too.

[Sir Charles]

It seems seasonally appropriate to listen to a record that, among other things, celebrates the home made making of liquor. After all, Jesus's first miracle was to turn water into wine. A bold pinot noir I am told.

[Sir Charles]

DP,

Thanks for that. I haven't heard Kung Fu Christmas in about thirty years. It's brilliant. It also sounds eerily like mid 70s Hall & Oates.

[oddjob]

Totally OT:

Oops!

;)

[minstrel hussain boy]

hate to burst ya'll's bubbles 'n' stuff, but today was clear, warm (72° ), with just enough breeze to keep the feedlot smells off the town...

i spent most of the afternoon outside taking a sturdy knife to a bushel of fresh oysters from the gulf of california.

next month...malibu, another sunshine ghetto, biggest question of a malibu day is pool? or ocean?

of course there is the odd brush fire, flood, and earthquake to contend with from time to time, hey, it ain't my place.

although when i did a spit take hearing my malibu friend talk about a fire he had been through and say "that's just part of the hardship of living here..."

i reminded him that malibu is a chumash word. it means "don't fucking live here white man."

truffle shipping is tomorrow. you have my permission to get all giddy and shit.

[minstrel hussain boy]

the first time i heard steve do this number i told him "pete's still with us, and he's as brave as truth."

steve said "that's a great phrase, i might have to steal it."

i said "i already did steal it, it's from vachel lindsey."