Lovely Lichens of Oregon, Xanthoria Candelaria & Thelomma Occidental

........

........ Finley Wildlife Refuge 

Autistic Movies, The Reason I Jump

I've watched this three times now. It isn't enough. I love this movie, the I sight into Autism is phenomenal. 

I don't like holidays, homemade greeting cards of Dark & Twisted theme

Restless Hands, Restless Mind

Aspergers and Holidays

Last year, I sent cards and easily, readily said the traditional verbal greetings.

This year, nope.

Don't think I said a greeting once, even after someone said it to me.

I don't do things by rout.

I'm not a mimic or a mynah bird.

I felt no holiday cheer so I didn't fake it to blend in.

There are many societal rules that I adhere to. Repeating holiday greetings is not one of them.

The Willamette Winter 2021-2022

My 5th Oregon winter is proving to be my greatest discontent. We have received more snow and had a greater number of freezing temps than my first four winters here combined.

I left Michigan due to her six month seasons. Six months sun. Six months snow. I have awakened the past three weeks to the smell of Michigan snow. The one odd scent missing? There is no odor of salt. Unlike Northern Michigan were salt need be laid thick like a protective blanket, the Valley uses crushed stones sparingly. The whispers of salted snow are nowhere to be found. How unique that I notice it gone.

Layered in clothes, I cannot feel the depth and breadth of warmth from my core to fingertips. My hands are perpetually cold. I find my self drawn to handwash the dishes more. I believe it is the allure of warm water and temporarily warm hands that is my reasoning.

One thing I've noted in my daily, mandatory barista chat, is that the people here rarely complain. They may say words such as "I wouldn't mind if it was warmer" or "the daily rain is good for the trees" or the drought. They phrase things positively with rarely a negative spoken. I kid you not.

Pacific Northwest is a kind and caring way of life.

But me, the recent transplant? Well, I wouldn't mind if the snow decided to stop and the Sun thought about showing herself again.