On Winter Wind

I came across this poem that a friend sent to me several years ago. It's called "On Winter Wind" and was written by Bertha Wilcox Smith.

A chestnut mare on a snow-filled road
Pushed on toward the rider's far abode;
Scourged by the gale, in the dark, unsure,
Stung by the ice on flailing boughs
She carried one who would not arouse.

From the somber sleep that claimed his form
As she reached a shelter from the storm;
She had borne him on, a well-loved weight,
And entered at last by a barn's wide door
To stand and grieve on a strawy floor.

Epics are sung on winter wind,
Tumultuous, undisciplined;
In silent, dusky-shadowed woods,
Where lean and ashen trees reach high
To scrawl dark runes on a parchment sky.

I don't know anything about the author, but thought that I'd share it here. I wonder if the sender, who is one of our readers, remembers sending this to me?

Sights and Sounds from the Holidays

This is not exactly timely, but thought that we'd share nonetheless.

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Ryan: (At bed time) Don't spread the cold blankets on top of me. I want to hold them! The cold blankets are his two favorite blankets. They are "cold" blankets because they feel cold to the touch when first picked up.
Mom: Okay here are your cold blankets.
Ryan: (He holds the blankets up to his face.) They smell like ojiichan and obaachan's.
Mom: Is that a good thing? Do you want me to wash them?
Ryan: No, I like them that way.

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Ryan: Let me whisper it to you Ethan (leans in to whisper to Ethan).
Ethan: Okay, but you don't have to spit in my ear.

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We were at a restaurant over the holidays in Seattle. It was one of those restaurants where they serve drinks with straws with only the top of the straw cover intact. I looked over at Ethan drinking from his straw. He had only removed the top of the paper straw cover so that he could get his mouth on the straw.

Dad: What do you have there?
Ethan: What?
Dad: Did you know that you're suppose to take all of the paper covering off the straw?
Ethan: (slightly embarrassed) Ohhhhh, Daaaad.....

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Ryan Anderson in the NBA

Video clip of former Cal Bear Ryan Anderson who is a reserve for the Orlando Magic.

Ryan Anderson (Jan 2 & 9) from ieeeBear on Vimeo.

Cal Bears Holiday Wishes

Holiday wishes brought to you by Jamal Boykin (the artist), Brandon Smith (the freshman), Patrick Christopher (the starting guard by way of Compton, CA), and Markhuri Sanders-Frison (the junior college transfer by way of Portland, OR).



* Patrick does apologize for the red jacket at the end of the video.

Homemade Family Photo Shoot

We decided to make our own family photo this year. It took a few takes to get an acceptable shot. Here's what the shoot looked like with a few fun captions added for good measure.

2009 Holiday Season in Pictures

Hope that your holiday was a good one. Ours was a lot about being with family. We did a little cooking and baking. Had a few laughs. Exchanged a few gifts. No snow this year, but no complaints here.

"Hey Soul Sister" by Train

Hopefully, like the character in this video, 2010 has all the right moves.