general
Opłatek 2021
Jasełka 2021
It was to be his biggest performance yet: the Boy was set to play "Przybieżeli do Betlejem" on his guitar for this year's jasełka performance.
His guitar teacher had been working with him on the piece; he'd been practicing it at home (with some encouragement, it must be admitted); he was ready.
And then the amp would not cooperate. No sound. At all. The adults thought fast, put a mic in front of the guitar, and the Boy was off. He was disappointed, but pleased with not giving up.
"It's what Tommy would have done," I reminded him, referring to our hero Tommy Emmanuel, who plays no matter what. Technical difficulties? Guitar issues? Venue problems? Nothing stops Tommy.
"Yeah, I guess."
Previous Years
Jaselka 2019
Jasełka 2017
Jasełka 2016
Jasełka 2015
Six and Jaselka
Jasełka 2013
Jasełka
Performance
Jasełka
First Preparation
The beets are starting to work their fermentation magic for barszcz z uszkami. And the first baking (though not strictly for Christmas) is done.
One Picture Tells the Whole Story
15
And just like that, fifteen years have passed.
We have a daughter who's thinking about college, wondering what she wants to do with her life, realizing she just has a few more years at home.
We have a daughter who now possesses a learner's permit and a strong desire to learn how to drive.
Christmas Card
K wouldn’t let me publish it until we had sent out some of the cards.
First Steps
Martial Law
Forty years ago today.
Had martial law not been declared, what would have happened? Would the Soviets have intervened? If they’d intervened, would that have hastened or delayed the fall of the Warsaw Pact? Would I have met K?
Winter Exploring
It’s been a while since the Boy and I went exploring behind our house. I can’t recall the last time — I don’t know that we did much exploring during the summer if any.
When we got to the place we first cross the creek, we discovered that our normal method was impossible: the bricks and stones we’d set up to step across were gone, washed away by one storm or another. We had to improvise. We had to make a plan. We had to find materials and rig everything together.
“You’re a scout — this is just up your alley!” I suggested.
In the end, we pulled several sticks together to spread our weight out and used another stick for balance. It gave us both a little sense of accomplishment, but I was just enjoying spending time with him.
When we got to the spot we have to cross for the second time, we discovered it too had washed away. Fortunately, there was a log nearby, and we simply had to put it in place.
At the end of our route, where we always exited the sewer easement (that’s essentially where we explore) into an empty lot, we saw that the house begun earlier this year is nearing completion, which means we might not be able to do this much more — at least exit onto the street and walk back via streets.
In the evening, some cards with K.
