Austin is Weird!

It has been rainy and overcast in Austin for the past few weeks. It is funny how people here react to it- saying it is so cold (it has been in the 60s), and that they can't believe hardcore people are out biking in this. Yes, Austin bikers get major cred for biking in the rain.... which is just a part of daily life in Bellingham.

The house I am caring for is near Lake Travis. When I first saw it, I couldn't believe they called it a lake. Then I learned that it lost 55 feet of water during the drought this past year. YIKES!

So while I want to complain about the rain, I really can't. They need it. And if I want to complain, perhaps I should just go somewhere that is an actual desert and not just a beautiful forest under drought.

On a lighter note, the sides of highways are covered with decorated trees. At first I couldn't believe it- look at all the matter out of place (moop!) The tinsel and ornaments can blow away in the wind and create crazy litter! Agh!

Then I realized.... ornaments seemed to be staying put, and this is actually a really green way to celebrate the holidays. Rather than cutting down a tree so that you can decorate its decaying corpse in your living room, these folks are letting the trees live. I have seen so many families decorating "their tree" by the side of the road. I'm sure they drive past it pretty much every day and admire its beauty. I hear folks are good about retrieving their ornaments. We shall see.

This is my first holiday away from my family and friends in Washington state. I am not a huge fan of Christmas. It always has left me feeling empty and sadder, likely due to the commercialism and weird gifting practices in our culture. However, I do love being with my favorite folks and eating way too many christmas cookies. I am hopeful of finding an orphan christmas here, but if not, I will celebrate by enjoying a day with sweet pets and continuing to envision and create the life I want to live.

NamasDaisy