Musings

New geographic term: where was the Roman Province of Pannonia? Turns out, if the info I have is correct, that my grandfather came from what was at one time Lower Pannonia.

The Latin term was from their predecessors in invading and record-creation, the Greeks. Turns out that the people living in the grandfather-area were not the Pannoni (probably), but Illyrians, according to the records (depending); the material culture is more difficult to sort spatially, showing some occupations of one and some of the other.

That is, this area was a cultural and political edge, frontier, or boundary for millennia, as it is today.

Posted at 10:22 PM | Comments Off on Spatial boundaries

This fungus appears to host an assortment of other life—maybe some are fungi?

Posted at 9:12 PM | Comments Off on Life upon life

This is just some of the cardboard and packing materials from the two boxes that the table was packaged in. Fortunately, we can recycle the cardboard and paper.

I tipped past the pre-productive state of paralysis and the Guru and I “made” my new desk. In IKEA-ese, it’s a high table (bar height). The Guru adjusted his hand-me-down computer, so I have new technology (bigger! faster!) set up on my new desk. Interestingly, I’ve adjusted the screens up, then down a bit, then down a bit again (in D-2 tape box increments), I think in part due to my trifocals. (We’ll see if I adjust again tomorrow.)

Report to date: loving it!

Posted at 6:42 PM | 1 Comment »

The weather lifted; our schedules opened…and we finally celebrated my FIL’s 88th (think: piano keys and counties in Ohio).

Lady N brought dessert—the cake had gorgeous blue roses.

We dined well. Fêting happened.

Posted at 10:22 PM | Comments Off on Blue roses

While this is a true capture of a moment here today, it is from mid- not late-afternoon, and it’s from the shady side of the house. Still. The snow does persist. Otherwise, the street is almost dry, and the car is snow-free.

Posted at 7:01 PM | 2 Comments »

My morning began late, I think because it was so quiet (aka city paralyzed—NOTHING moving right around here). The big noise came from giant snowflakes landing everywhere. Maybe a bit more than an inch accumulated here, atop the sleet deposits.

Before noon, the warming trend hit, with above freezing temps. Then came serious sun-warming, and action moved to the gutter, as the accumulations flowed downhill.

By the time darkness arrived, a full-blown melt and a bit of a breeze made dry (!!) spots in the street…. Whatta turnaround!

Now the wintery action is up the East Coast from here; feeling for those millions….

Listening to that hoot owl again—early tonight….

Posted at 7:57 PM | Comments Off on Sledding’s over

We did venture out for a short walk, temps around freezing (conditions: partly melty and mostly frozen), wind not strong but biting. Sleet most of the day, just started picking up. We still have power and internet (rah!).

Hoping overnight temps don’t plunge, nor do any nearby trees and large branches.

A few icicles, but pretty short, as icicles go. Increase in precip means things will get icier, so, holding breath.

HB from afar to my FIL. We’ll fête you in a few days!

Couldn’t decide on photo so am presenting still life two ways.

Posted at 5:29 PM | 1 Comment »

A bit of tropical vegetation (from Sunday) as we await freezing temps. Should be nasty by dawn. Probably worse south and east of here, unusually.

I’m trying not to fall into the anxiety-raised-by-contemplating-the-future trap.

Posted at 7:05 PM | 1 Comment »

My ignorance is vast.

Today I worked on improving my knowledge about the Roman Empire’s eastern provinces—specifically those of the Carpathian Basin. And their post-Roman history….

Posted at 10:26 PM | Comments Off on Vast

No Colonel in the conservatory*, just masses of eye-catching orchids, in the new winter display.

* At the ABG—Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Posted at 4:37 PM | 1 Comment »