Ok Manette, I hear and I Obey...

So, seeing this comment from my friend Manette back in America about not posting enough on the blog, it got me to thinking that I probably should write a lot more. Trouble is, when things go along without a ripple, I tend to not write anything. I guess no news is good news, as the old adage states. In honor of Manette, I am writing 2 blog entrys back to back, so she will be comforted by my electronic presence. Here you are, my friend.

On January 19th I found myself with my 9th form English Club students down at the lake, watching people go into the cold water for "baptism". It was Orthadox Epiphany, which signals the end of the Christmas season here. It must have been 20 degrees this day and I was impressed by the number of people wading slowly into the area where the cross was. The cross was made of wood and was adorned with greenery. The people would go in alone or sometimes with their small children, stand at the intersection of the cross, and dip themselves 3 times. When the ritual was completed, they ran like crazy out of the freezing river! One of my students is seen here taking the plunge.

January 19-Orthodox Epiphany

Miss Mouse is thriving. We are very happy together here in Novomoskovsk. She has no way of knowing that she could be living outside, rather then inside, of this apartment. She loves hanging out on the balcony when it snows and scares the crap out of me when she walks across the railing. We are 5 stories up and it's a long way down.  For those of you who have ever lived with cats, you know those moments when you can't locate them anywhere? You look everywhere...in closets, in the tub, under the tub, and in drawers, all to no avail. (I live in a 2 room apartment here folks...) So someone tell me, why is it that everytime I lose Miss Mouse I forget to look...up?

On top of the Coat Rack



I lost her on this day as well.....

 Laundry Bag Kitty




One more thing I'd like to mention. I had a hair cut when I got home and decided not to color it. I had a few incidents with hair color in Ukraine so I thought I would just let it be. So, here I am, officially salt and pepper, and I actually quite like it!

Back Home?

I've been back in Ukraine for a few weeks now and when folks ask me how my trip to America was, I tell them it was good, but that it is also nice to be back home. I guess it's true that where ever I hang my hat, I now consider home. Ukraine will never be my true home, but I am comfortable enough to call it home for now. Visiting my family for Christmas was great. My brother and nephew and mom were so happy to have me home and I was equally as happy to be with them. I missed my mom the most though...and I am missing her still.

I got together with a few friends while in RI. I played some cards with Barbara and Danny, I visited my boys (Eric and Joe) at the studio, as well as Manette and Lisa. My studio is still standing empty and we were all speculating as to whether Len was keeping it for me for when I come back to work. I keep wondering if my work table is still in the building? The artist who adopted it has left the building and it's speculated to be still adrift somewhere at the mill. It too heavy for one person to move and you need a large truck to do so, so chances are it's still there and I would be please to take it back for my own again.

So, what would a visit stateside be without a trip to the beach in my city with BFF Katie?  It was freezing cold and there was no one about when we walked on Conimicut Point...just how I like it. The tide was out, exposing the sandbar near the Lighthouse.The air was so crisp and clear that I could see both the Newport and Jamestown Bridges off in the distance.

It will be at least a year before I can go home to America again, and this makes me sad, but I have some wonderful memories to sustain me for now.