THIS WEEK, I don't like myself much. No specific reason and dozens of reasons — nothing new for me. So, I thought I would distract myself by scanning and preserving old photos. They've sometimes made me smile. Today, I've shared a photo from each of our three Christmases when we lived in Georgetown, Washington DC.
In December 1985, I hadn't yet begun treatment for (or finally been diagnosed with) clinical depression. That would come four months later. Still, Christmas was an extravaganza. Most of the gifts on the table came from San Geraldo's mother Alice. We drew names in the family and each person was supposed to buy only one gift. Alice sent another dozen or so — from Santa, she said.
In 1984, San Geraldo is bagging up the trash after another goodie-filled holiday.
In 1983, we battled a blizzard to get to Pierre, South Dakota, to spend Christmas with the family. The windchill was –81F (–63C), real temperature was –61F (–52C) when we spent two days stranded in Sioux Falls. But there was a heat wave our last day in Pierre and the real temperature soared to –5F (–21C). I have no idea what was going on in that final photo.
ESTA SEMANA, NO me gusta a mi mismo. Sin razon específico y docenas de razones — nada nuevo para mí. Entonces, pensé que me distraería escaneando y conservando viejas fotos. A veces me han hecho sonreír. Hoy, he compartido una foto de cada una de nuestras tres Navidades cuando vivíamos en Georgetown, Washington DC.
En diciembre de 1985, todavía no había sido tratado (o diagnosticado) por depresión clínica. Eso vendría cuatro meses después. Aún así, la Navidad fue una extravagancia. La mayoría de los regalos en la mesa vinieron de la madre de San Geraldo, Alice. Recopilamos nombres en la familia y se suponía que cada persona debía comprar solo un regalo. Alice envió otra docena más o menos — de Papa Noel, ella dijo.
En 1984, San Geraldo está empacando la basura después de otra fiesta llena de regalos.
En 1983, luchamos contra una tormenta de nieve para llegar a Pierre, Dakota del Sur, para pasar la Navidad con la familia. Con el frio del viento era -81F (-63C), la temperatura real era de -61F (-52C) cuando pasamos dos días varados en la ciudad de Sioux Falls. Pero hubo una ola de calor nuestro último día en Pierre y la temperatura real aumentó a -5F (-21C). No tengo idea de lo que estaba pasando en esa foto final.
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| 1985. YES, THAT'S REALLY ME. 1985. SÍ, ESA SOY REALMENTE YO. |
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| 1984. YES, THAT'S REALLY SAN GERALDO. 1984. SÍ, ESA ES REALMENTE SAN GERALDO. |
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| 1983. CABIN FEVER IN SOUTH DAKOTA? 1983. ¿FIEBRE DE CABAÑA EN DAKOTA DEL SUR? |
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| AND DUDO IS STILL WATCHING THE SKY FOR SANTA. OR A BIRD. Y DUDO TODAVÍA ESTÁ MIRANDO EL CIELO PARA PAPA NOEL. O UN PÁJARO. |
Oh my God,guys you look so great, can hardly tell who is who :) It's fab to look back through photos, they help us recall fun times that we sometimes forget. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteJa ja! We look great? Then or now? I LOVE seeing old photos.
Deletephoto #3 - uh, hmm, what the what, egad!
ReplyDeleteHNY 2018 to you and SG and the kitties!
anne marie,
DeleteThird photo.... I have no idea! Wishing you a great 2018.
Wonderful pictures, great memories of good times past and good times to come.
ReplyDeleteWe all like you for lots of wonderful reasons,
Travel,
DeleteAw thanks. Sometimes I feel like I need a personality transplant. I’ll try and take that to heart.
I've had cabin fever and it never looked like that. It was more Jack Nicholson The Shining, I think.
ReplyDeleteOy, that Dudo is a most handsome fella.
HNY to you and SG and The Boys!
Bob,
DeleteSending love to you and Carlos. You inspire me.
Beautiful photos and am I right in thinking the cabin fever has been reenacted many times over?
ReplyDeletemistress maddie,
DeleteYep. Cabin fever... or just childish behavior.
I hope 2018 brings you the ability to like yourself. Mrs. Chatterbox struggles with this also. I know I have many flaws but I still like myself and enjoy my own company. I wish others could find it in themselves to find peace and happiness, which is my wish for you in 2018. Take care, my friend.
ReplyDeleteStephen,
DeleteThere are days that I like myself. Not recently but it’s a new year. Tell Mrs C I really like her!
Love these blasts from the past. And Dudo couldn't give a monkey's! But if we spent as much time grooming ourselves as I imagine he and Moose do, then we too would all look as photogenic as they ever do. (Not that you DON'T here, I stress!)
ReplyDeleteRay,
DeleteYou’re right about Dudo and Moose. So vain.
I'm sorry you're feeling bad this week. I've noticed that there's a lot of that among the blogs I read right now, and I'm experiencing a low mood myself. I think this time of year is just difficult for a lot of people. I hope you feel better soon. Hugs to you my friend. ❤
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
DeleteThanks. Wishing you so much happiness this year.
Sorry, Mitch (my comment, two above). The photos distracted me from your text at top. I do hope you'll soon be feeling more positive - towards yourself and to life generally. Your well-being is paramount to us all. Thinking of you and wishing you every success in your ongoing struggles. Much love and comforts to you for 2018.
ReplyDeleteRay:
DeleteOh, I'm just a whiner. A visit from you is all that's needed.
Your house was plant-filled even then. Some things never change and that is good. On the other hand, some things never change and that is not so good. Wishing you peace, happiness, and only good changes for 2018.
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteWe have always filled our homes with plants. The place in Georgetown had a huge sunroom. It was glorious.
Love the last picture! I need to scan ours, so many bloody photos and so little time.
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteWe started scanning photos (hundreds of them) while down-sizing for our move to Spain. We still have 25+ albums!
'Giddy up' by the look of that third photo!! Hey....gotta stay warm!
ReplyDeleteThe serene Dudo.
Jim:
DeleteSerene, no. Patient, yes.
Some great pictures. I hope you get past the blues.
ReplyDeleteKirk:
DeleteOh, there'll be a good day one of these days. I at least DO have many good moments.
I now understand why you chose Spain to live in.
ReplyDeleteThose below zero temps are unbearable and down right ridiculous.
Our power went out on Xmas Day as the temps were well below zero too.
Mother Nature ain't a happy creature lately.
So glad to hear that the C D was diagnosed and BTW ~ humourous, kind are but the beginning of a long list of superlatives I/We have for you. Now how could someone not like themselves with these weighing on their shoulders.
Happy 2018!!
Ron:
DeleteThanks to you and Jim for the moral support (and inspiration) you share. Chuck told me yesterday it was 11F in Brooklyn... and he was "stayin' inside"! Around 70F here today!
Wishing you guys a happy 2018 with more then enough to keep smiling all year around.
ReplyDeleteJan:
DeleteThanks so much. Wishing you the same.
Old photos can be fun! I'll raise a glass of bubbly in your honor later today. :)
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteI love being surprised by what I find. I don't remember that last photo at all and it makes me smile. Thanks for the glass of bubbly!
Well, weren't you two sexy young pups in those days! And man, I thought it was cold in Manitoba a couple of days ago with -45C windchill, but it was positively bikini weather compared to the bone-chilling cold of your South Dakota Xmas!
ReplyDeleteDebra:
DeleteMy friends referred to Jerry as "The Hunk" when they first met him. I look at these photos of myself now and think, "Well, you were kind of cute." Of course, it's always past tense! I had never experienced cold like South Dakota cold. We told Jerry's family we would never again come for Christmas. His grandmother, father, and mother all died in winter. The day his father died, there was such a huge storm that ever single road in the state was legally closed. We were sure they were laughing at us from (as The Kid Brother would say) "up there."
You both still got it!
ReplyDelete