/art/barrington/
outsiderartist@excite.com
Slow dancing in the snow, tonight, January 16th, the first snowfall of the season. He likes to walk, late at night, in the Midwestern cold. He looks like Russell Crowe, only better, same deep at-the-movies baritone voice though. I guess you could say that I am one fortunate, charm-laden girl!
He held me like a china doll as we toddled gingerly across the black ice on the deck. Navigating the sidewalk was easier, less slippery, mostly thanks to his snow shoveling skills. Together we hit the asphalt, the blackness solid footsure, salted totally clean, and my arm slid into the crook of his arm, his hands in his pocket, and my heart in his throat. Our legs march in unison like we are a four-legged, two-headed Janus on patrol.
Snow is all over everything, solid white glitter reflecting the world back into itself.
John and Kathy are snuggling on the couch watching the bluelight of the teevee. Their youngest son, Brant, 28, just moved out this week. They are finally free. All four of their sons sprung out into the world to make lives of their own. Kathy already has plans for that spare bedroom…an Ebay-aquisition room!
Dear Martin, my friend forever until the planet dries up, is upstairs behind a mini-blind window. I'm sure he is working on some new crazy-as-amazing idea. He is very clever, brilliant, and such a good friend, even when I am not. He is patient and I am learning. Say I must return those plastic food-storage containers to him.
A tiny tabletop Christmas tree is shining in the bay window of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon. I can see their live-in nurse sitting in the chair where Mr. Gordon once was a fixture. I would extend Christmas too if I thought it might be my last year.
Lights out at the Bergen's, Manchester's, and Braddock's. They all have young children, tennis courts, and two-family incomes.
Wow! the torchere at Sally's is extremely bright, but she is not in the room, so I guess it doesn't matter. She has motion-detector lights that flash on as we pass making us jump. Shoo!
The river park is next. No one lives here in the pitch-blackness. Wait. I see the shadow of raccoon waddling up the side of our river birch! The piers are all empty. The river stilled by a tight cover of ice.
Tim did a MAJOR renovation on the Wilson house. It now has a HUGE double deck off the living room and a smaller deck off the upstairs master bedroom. Hot tub anyone? I like it when a single man decorates for the holidays. The lights aren't on now, but it sure looked swell during the holidays.
Blane and Merry still have lights everywhere. They are devout Christians and like to keep the lights burning. You would love their house if you were into Natural History. It is like a museum with arrowheads and other, more rare Native American collections in lighted glass cases. I like their so-blue pool!
We swing back into my driveway. Opening the backdoor, we are greeted by a whoosh! of hot air. The cold air sticks to our clothing, not us. It is nice to be home. I am happy. He never let go of me once.
