palace of winds

Sometimes, life aligns.

You get a big, fairytale year. You step off of a plane in Peru. Watch the first sunrays strike Machu Picchu. Speculate on the Milky Way. Eat tamales on a bus so crowded the front door won’t close.

Look up from the sea of Christmas gifts to discover a gentle white whirl of snow just beyond the window.

Pull open the stall door on Christmas Eve and step inside and hug your horse.

Honestly, I can’t even begin to think further about this year. I keep stalling out on the magic of a handful of moments. Overcome with thankfulness. The hope that everyone has their own place like the shoulder of a horse. Home for the heart.

If this new year is a tenth of the old, I’ll count myself blessed indeed.

This morning the world was white, white, white. I didn’t realize it until a few minutes into my commute — as I was approaching the 394W exit the veil of humdrum, of everyday, of the sleepwalking (sleepdeprived) life, lifted, and I discovered it was all sparkle and ice. One of my very favorite winterthings (tied with snowglobe days for number one).

There are times I bemoan winter — a lot of times, and loudly — often the times when I’m at the barn and my hands and feet are beyond numb, have turned into these dumb, stiff lumps of pain at the end of my limbs. And I repeat that tired old Minnesotan refrain of Why do I stay here, Why don’t I live somewhere warmer, What are we thinking. But I never actually consider it; it’s a reflex, like shivering. Because some mornings you wake up and every branch and every tiny twig on every winterbare tree is circled in frost, and Florida just doesn’t have anything that pretty.

1. Where did you begin 2007?
   At my parents’ house, with my fam and Bryce and Allison. Our family New Year’s tradition has always been to get loads of fun appetizers and stuff ourselves silly, and play games or watch movies, and then my mom falls asleep while we wait for the ball to drop and we try to cook up something silly, like setting off the fire alarm to wake her up.
2. What was your status by Valentine’s Day?
   I’m assuming this is a relationship question, so — single. More importantly, that was in the middle of that horrid cold snap when I didn’t go out to the barn for two weeks because I wanted to keep all of my fingers and toes. So I was pining for ponies.
3. Were you in school (anytime this year)?
   Nope. I did spend a week in San Diego at a work conference, where I did attend many of the educational sessions. And partake of much of the less-educational alcohol.
4. How did you earn your money?
   Sales Assistant-ing at an investment firm.
5. Did you have to go to the hospital?
   Yes, to visit my grandma. And play in the closets with Alex.
6. Did you have any encounters with the police?
   …perhaps.
7. Where did you go on holiday?
   Peru! And the usual visits to San Fran. And that conference in San Diego.
8. What did you purchase that was over $1000?
   A sofa & chair set — gorgeousness. A trip to Peru. A horse. I’m much more frugal than this all makes me sound!
9. Did you know anybody who got married?
   A cousin.
10. Did you know anybody who passed away?
    Distant relatives.
11. Have you run into anybody you went to high school/primary school with?
    Yes, weirdly! A few weekends ago, a guy I was in band with. Oh, and an ex-best-friend (who I hadn’t seen since ninth grade) over the summer.
12. Did you move anywhere?
    Nope.
13. What concerts/shows did you go to?
    Uhhh…
14. Are you registered to vote?
    Yes.
15. Who did you want to win Big Brother?
    Yes.
16. Where do you live now?
    In an apartment in a lovely little 40’s brick building. My living room is the most awesome red, and I have a little turquoise hallway. Thank you guy-who-lived-there-before.
17. Describe your birthday.
    I had to work, but my mom came to take me out for lunch, and brought flowers and a big platter of cookies (my great-grandma’s chocolate chip oatmeal recipe). Did the usual fam thing on the weekend — presents and dinner out. We went to Brenda’s, which was delicious. While we were there the light drizzle turned into a downpour, and we waited in the building’s lobby while my dad pulled the car up to the curb.
18. What’s one thing you thought you’d never do but did in 2007?
    Let it go (for the most part).
19. What has been your favorite moment?
    That? Is an impossible question for what’s been a really huge year.
20. What’s something you learned about yourself?
    I am really committed to this whole horse thing.
21. Any new additions to your family?
    Everett
22. What was your best month?
    September, if I have to pick.
23. What music will you remember 2007 by?
    “Hey There Delilah” - Plain White T’s; “Party Like a Rockstar” - Shop Boyz; “Umbrella” - Rihanna; “Rehab” - Amy Winehouse; “Breathe In Breathe Out” - Mat Kearney; “9 Crimes” - Damien Rice; Mika’s “Life in Cartoon Motion” album.
24. Who has been your best drinking buddy?
    Jo
25. Made new friends?
    Yes.
26. Best new friend?
    Everett (though what an unfair question!)
27. Favorite Night out?
    The night of my Investment Banker. You know, that’s another one for #18. I so should’ve called him. I also really loved the nights out on the boat — snugged up in the little compartment below-deck, still half-dizzy drunk, lulled to sleep by the gentle slap of waves.