Pansyiana: January 2004 Archives

Jeanetta Comments:

...I'm dreading going back to Siberia, er, I mean, Rochester. So cold!

OK, driving along the New York State Thruway, the Mohawk River looked like Siberia. It was frozen over with all these like ice chunks sticking out.

The weather is the main topic of conversation when you venture out. Someone mentioned to us that they get up in the middle of the night every few hours (just like we do) to run the water so the pipes do not freeze. Many people have mentioned that cold like this really borders on scary. You start to think not as much in terms of discomfort, but in terms of survival. My husband said, except for the break we should be getting on Monday, January is pretty much supposed to be this frigid.

The temp has gone up two degrees since 10 AM making it a whopping 5 below right now!! Almost ready for summer (not).

I went outside to get eggs from the barn to make cookies (no, no chickens yet, the fridge is in the barn because there is electricity in the barn) and I thought I would freeze on the spot. It's that nasty cold when you feel the water vapour in the air freeze as you breathe it in.

A serviceman from Agway told me this morning "I get the point, it's winter and all, but it doesn't have to be this cold!"

So where are we, January 9th? This is not good, I have already had it, had it, had it with darkness, snow cold and ugly, dull winter clothes that are not only boring, but take a bazillion loads to wash because it is all heavy denims, sweatshirts and sweaters. For as long as I can remember, I wondered by what freak of nature I ended up in a climate with winter and not somewhere more suited to me that has nothing but beaches, frolicking and pina coladas.

I guess I can look at the flip side. Winter offers a time of rest, hibernation and some down time. Winter offers, um, time for penance to offer up when you are miserable with getting the car stuck in the wind drifts-again. Winter gives you a chance to make things like roast beef you would probably never make in the summer. Winter helps you save money because you never want to leave the house and do money draining recreational activities because it's cold out, the roads are dangerous, your hair is always messed up from hat head and by the time you get everyone's mittens, hats and scarves on (after yelling at everyone for losing one glove) and pulling and arm muscles out trying to stretch the carseat straps over their snowsuits, you have no desire to go anywhere because you're tired and done for the day. Of course you also spend the money you save on Christmas and heating bills. Winter does give us the gift of fall and spring which are my favourite seasons next too summer. Seriously, until I moved to upstate NY where winter lasts nine months out of the year, I never appreciated the beauty of the other three seasons/months like I do now.

We attended our old Traditional Parish on Sunday. It was a most pleasant experience. Just about everyone asked where we have been and told us they missed us. The couple of families we have had problems with were not there for some reason or other and that helped with anxiety levels. I was afraid of going and being whispered about my immodest dress or my black lace mantilla.

I so missed the TLM. It has become comfort food for me and this diocese left so much to be desired regarding the NO Masses. We have not found a good NO parish yet. Not one without really bad folk music, or silly affectations. One Mass we went to spent 45 minutes inducting a nun in a white alb as the Parish Life Director. Another one had us sing and do hand motions during the Prayer of the Faithful. "Our hands, our hearts, our incense rising, we ask you Lord hear our prayer"-with hand motions! We had to put our hands in the air and wiggle our fingers at the incense part. So coming back to people kneeling and Gregorian Chants felt so much like home.

I wish I did not have to travel an hour for a TLM to be in a Church that felt truly Catholic, but feel blessed at least to have this Church here.

72% Snob

Good job Pansy, you're safely out of super-snob territory. But watch yourself-a couple more sun drid tomatoes here and a few more trips to Dean & Deluca there and you might be veering dangerously towards the stuck-up. Best go touch some grubby sick people to keep your inner snob at bay.