The worst is behind us

We're emerging from a rather amazing coldsnap. Wednesday the mercury fell to -23º F at O'Hare, making January 30 the second coldest day in Chicago history.

This is the spot where the Chicago River joins Lake Michigan. They were both frozen as of 8:15 Wednesday. And that bridge? How can it possibly be so empty during a weekday rush hour?

From WGNTV.com

My office was closed Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday we had a little excitement here. Our elevator got stuck between the third and fourth floors, with my neighbor riding it! The hydraulic fluid froze and so the car was unable to move. The local fire department rescued her, and once the temperature rose above 0º, it was operational again.

We were advised to keep our faucets running at a trickle to stave off frozen pipes. Reynaldo enjoyed going from sink to sink to tub, investigating the drops.

Note his happy wet head

I ventured out to see my chiropractor on Thursday. It's incredible how warm 6º can feel! And it was good to be out in the sun again.

In all, we had one and a half really bad days. That's why I'm ignoring my Florida-transplant aunt, who has been rejoicing in her decision to leave Chicagoland.

I could have responded with what I always say to Henry and Reg, and that is that when the snow and cold goes away, our homes are still here. I could reply to my aunt that I've never had to evacuate, leaving my home and taking refuge in a motel for a week, the way she did because of Hurricane Irma. I could also mention the wildfires and mudslides my oldest friend in SoCal has dealt with. But I didn't.

Instead, I was just grateful that all "Chiberia" gives me to endure is a day and a half of cocooning. I'm grateful that I have a job that allows me to "work from home" with pay. I think we Chicagoans have a pretty good deal, weatherwise.

Odds are good that I don't like you

It's been one of those days. Which is really unfair, because it started out so well! The coldsnap seems over -- for now, at least -- and we cranked out a lot of work.

But after lunch -- a delicious solo lunch in my beloved Pittsfield Building, first time this year -- just about everyone I interacted with annoyed me.

First, there's Elvis. Yes, The King. I wrote a rather sweet and certainly well-intentioned post in honor of his birthday (below), and someone actually responded that I need to "get informed" about his drug use. Oh, give me an ever-loving break! Just a cursory search of this blog provides evidence of how "informed" I am about Elvis' life and career. And besides, this blog is my cyber living room. When you stop by, exhibit good manners or don't stop by.

Then there's my officemate. We were talking about movies and the Golden Globes so I mentioned All the Money in the World. Turns out she knows nothing about J. Paul Getty and claims to have never even heard about Claus von Bulow. And, she said, "I don't care." Well excuse the fuck out of me. Give me a list of approved movies and topics and I'll stick to it.

Then there are the unit owners in this condo building. This coldsnap has taken its toll on the plumbing. Is this the responsibility of the unit owner or the board? Now this is something I would admit I need to "get informed" about, except that we have a lawyer on retainer. Hey! Here's an idea! Let's ask the lawyer to do his job!

Then there's my oldest friend. She's owed me $100 from my birthday trip since late November. She asked me, while we were still in Vegas, when/how I wanted the money. I told her a check would be fine, and I'd like it before I left for Key West on 12/22. She agreed, and then never delivered. OK, she's broke, she's embarrassed. Trying to be sensitive to her situation, I never mentioned it. Today she sent me a breezy pair of emails, detailing how relaxed and happy she is to be laughing with her cousin. How this move is exactly what she needed. And oh yeah, doesn't she still owe me money? Yes, girlfriend, you do.

Oh well, now I've put it all in a post and I can move on. I'm going to settle in front of the tube, cuddle a cat, and try to appreciate the here and now.

Hanging in there!

I saw Napoleon and his human, Randi, today!  They were sitting on their usual street corner. Cold, very cold to be sure, but she reassured me they were OK. The diarrhea that plagued Napoleon before Christmas is now a thing of the past. The shelter they have been frequently, which usually charges $23/person for a shower and a place to sleep, has lowered their price to $15 during this coldsnap. On the worst nights, Randi and Caleb and Napoleon have stayed there.

But here's the thing: colder weather means fewer people out on the street to help them out, so if they can bear it, they still sleep in their tent. She explained to me that it's really not so bad, except in the morning they find themselves uncomfortably wet. Their breath turns into condensation. I don't have any extra blankets -- this condo runs to the warm side -- but I do have some nice, serviceable bath towels to share. She enthusiastically said they would be most welcome and sort of explained how the towels would help. I didn't really follow, but didn't ask her to elaborate, either, because I know she doesn't like to just talk about her situation. She appreciates it when I relate to her as another woman, not as a "homeless woman." So when she asked about my Christmas, I told her about how my Florida bug bites swelled up and I ended up in Immediate Care last week. I also mentioned that I prayed for them in church on Christmas Eve. It had been almost three weeks since I'd seen them, and I wanted her to know they'd been in my thoughts.

This evening I packed up the three bath towels and gave them a spritz of Downy. After all, they've been in my closet for years and I don't want to give them anything musty for their enclosed tent. I also tossed in an Ann Rule paperback I found at the Little Free Library, since I know Ms. Rule is Caleb's favorite author.

It feels good to get out of myself and my own head a little bit, and think about Napoleon and his peeps.

How is Napoleon?

Tomorrow I go back into The Loop for the first time in two weeks. For the last week or so, it's been frigid here. It's not predicted to get up to bearable until this weekend ... and then it will snow.

I can't stop thinking about the homeless, both human and furry. Specifically, I've got Napoleon on my mind. This cat's humans -- Caleb and Randi -- can't possibly have raised the $450+ it would take to stay indoors for 10 nights at their preferred shelter, which both offers shower facilities and welcomes pets.

So where has Napoleon been? Is he OK? As my own Reynaldo and I battle over his prescription, chicken-flavored cat food (more than $2/can!) I worry about Napoleon. He had on again/off again bouts of diarrhea before I left for my holiday vacation. That could be serious, that could be nothing. I recommended repeatedly that they should take him to see a vet, but I know that the vet who is familiar with both Napoleon and their situation requires a $45 cash payment before he'll see the cat.

I wonder if Napoleon would be better off at the Anti-Cruelty Society. They don't get that many young cats this time of year, and if his health is sound he may be adopted quickly. But what would that do to Caleb and Randi? They love that cat so much. I am haunted by the memory of her, sitting on the sidewalk in the rain with Napoleon in her lap, crying in the chilly night because she was sure he was ill. Caleb has told me that rescuing Napoleon has given their lives meaning. So while I'm sure Napoleon would do well by being put up for adoption, I'm not sure his humans would recover.

Last time I went to church -- Christmas Eve -- I started to cry, thinking about Napoleon and Caleb and Randi. My darling friend, Henry, usually so compassionate, just kind of glazed over when I told him what was wrong. One of my coworkers has made it plain that she doesn't approve of my relationship with them. Either it embarrasses her that I drop to my knees to talk to them on the corner outside our office, or she thinks they are con artists (or maybe both). My oldest friend doesn't want to hear about them, either. I suppose she has so many of her own problems that this is just too much.

And, I guess, there's the fact that I haven't actually helped them in any lasting way. Over the last

six months I've probably spent just over $100 on them. Not enough to make a real impact on their situation. I have learned that they appreciate being spoken to as people, not "homeless people." Caleb loves talking books, Randi loves talking about Napoleon and hearing about my cats. So I suppose my friendship matters. And I did help Caleb get his teenage shoplifting conviction expunged (though it took too long to help him get that job he was counting on).

I don't know what the point of this post is, really. My heart is full and rather heavy and I thought it would help to get it down. If you're still reading, thank you for listening.

A good day

Saturday was just fine, and left me feeling tired but happy.

I slept well and didn't wake up with a headache for the first time this week. I think the overnight headaches have been triggered by allergies, recycled air and the relentless heat that's being forced into my condo because of the coldsnap. I was glad to start the day without that stuffy head/pressure feeling.

I got a good haircut. Good hair = good mood.

Had lunch with my nephew. This is the first time we've talked at length this year. He's interesting to converse with he grows up. He's sensitive and smart, and it was fascinating to get his 14-year-old opinion on real issues of the day -- Charlie Hebdo, the death penalty, Hillary Clinton. He's enjoying school and missing Stephen Colbert. I enjoy him.

Got laundry out of the way. I hate doing laundry.

The only dark cloud on my personal horizon is that I didn't do any "Clean Me" activity to improve my personal environment. But, as Katie Scarlett used to say, "tomorrow is another day."

Right back in it again

Back to the old grind after two weeks away from the office. Life in the real world is a mixed bag.

I skipped my workout yesterday because I figured the gym would be filled with newbies whose resolution is to lose weight, but I did brown bag my lunch. YEA! That's an easy moneysaver  I resolved to do at least once each week.

I brought one of my more troubling coworkers, Blondie McBlonderson, a souvenir from Key West. It was a tiny thing -- just a postcard of Robert the Doll -- but it seemed to make her happy. Being more positive with her is something else I'm working on because it's compassionate and decent and because it may make my own day go easier. So that gets a YEA!

When I got home last night, I was exhausted and had a headache. I think part of it was being back to the old routine. Part of it was dealing with the commute in 0º. Consciously I kind of dig it -- after last year's subzero January, it didn't feel bad at all. But I think it depleted me physically all the same. So instead of dejunking my house last night, I napped. BOO! 

But today I worked out. First time in 2015. YEA!

The impact of life in Chi-beria

"Chi-beria" is what people are calling home during this past week's historic cold snap. I hear the technical term for the snow followed by the cold is "polar vortex." I continue to think of it as, "not so bad."

 The cold brought about two unexpected results ...

•  My Sporto boots -- which retailed for less than $50 more than five years ago -- have begun to crack over the toes. The fake leather just couldn't take the extreme cold. I'm looking for another pair. I think they were a terrific bargain.

•  My health club suffered a water main break yesterday. Day after day of running all that hot water through frozen pipes finally took its toll. I was halfway over there to workout when I got word. I compensated by having a salad for lunch and felt quite virtuous.

It'll be in the 30's today. Life is back to normal.

Here's what I learned this week

A Thali is a necklace, given from groom to bride in Indian marriage ceremonies, and worn like a wedding ring.

One of my coworkers, an amazingly adorable girl, got married last month in India and she showed me hers. She wears it on a cord with three knots -- one symbolizing her respect for the marriage, another for her parents, and one her allegiance to God. The Thali design is unique, like a coat of arms. If she has a son, my coworker and her husband will reproduce the pendant for her son to give his bride some day. (The pendant shown here is merely representative, not hers specifically.)

Because she and her husband live in Chicagoland, they both also wear rings. Hers is a tiny diamond chip, his is a simple band. At first he was resistant because he's not comfortable with jewelry, not even a watch. But she said she doesn't want other women looking at him like he's available. I think it's charming that she thinks he's so hot.

It's also important to note that of all of us, she complains the least of this week's record-setting cold. Growing up in a hot climate, she things -15º is exotic and exciting.

I have enjoyed talking wedding with her. This is one of things that makes us lucky to be Americans -- all different cultures in this together, and the opportunity to learn about the rest of the world, all at the same time!

Hello, Gorgeous

Isn't this lovely? It's the view from the back windowpane, out onto the alley. Believe me, it's normally not a pretty view. But look how lovely it is when the windows are covered in ice. I want to remember this day when it's 90º and hot and humid and everything is scorched and brown.

I don't recall this ever happening before

Today was called because of cold. I phoned the main switchboard and heard that the office would be closed today because of the extreme weather. Because it snowed so much last night, the trains are all messed up. Very grateful I don't have to go out in this.

As I write this, I've got Rey on my lap (making keystrokes difficult) and Joey beside me and Charlotte behind me. My heart aches for the strays who aren't as warm, dry and uncomfortable as these three felines.

3 days

That's how long it's been snowing off and on. I don't know how much has fallen, but it's a lot. Yet it's not an epic storm, like 2011's SNOtoriousBIG. No schools have closed, no drivers have been stranded on Lake Shore Drive. Just lots and lots of the white stuff. Enough snow and cold to make me grateful for the city's network of pedways and my own stocked larder.*

In short, it's winter in Chicagoland.

At least it's gotten people off of Obamacare and that ignorant douchebag from Duck Dynasty. Sometimes I think Mother Nature just does stuff to make us recalibrate when we get too far away from what really matters.

*So I don't need to venture out into the elements for the essentials (Coke, cat litter and Bailey's Irish Cream).