Gemuetlichkeit
Not that I could spell it without help, but it's a German word that means something like "That cozy happy feeling of company and fires and food and cheer." It's a good language that has a word for that feeling.
I was first introduced to the word by the profoundly literate mother of L.
Last night I got to hang out with L and her parents. Mom had made a hearty turkey stock soup with hunks of bacon and chicken thighs and veggies and giant dumplings. There was a fire. It was a "just come and hang out" evening, so I brought my laptop to get some work finished. Highlight of my night was holding L for a long while while she settled down to get ready to sleep. She's so damn adorable. I typed, L snuggled, we were happy.
I got to hear for the first time L working on talking. Definitely very prolific pre-verbal behavior. Long, half-sung streams of "da da da da da." Very cute little voice.
I drove home thinking, "Fatherhood would be quite nice." Of course, my experience was totally made possible by all the caretaking done by L's mom. I get all the snuggles and none of the diapers. And I don't have to find baby sitters. Nor did I have to cook. Though I did share my tiramisu cake, which got good reviews.
Up this morning for a sparsely attended rowing practice. To make the numbers work, I took out a single and did about 10 miles. I'd have liked a long row in the 8+, but the single is fine. It was low 40's. I wore the new hat L's mom knitted for me. I like it, since it keeps me warm, but still breathes so I don't cook. The single moved well. I did a little square blade work, to keep the skills sharp, but mostly cruised around the creek, chasing larger boats (4x's, 4-'s). I got to use some new oars, and they were cool. Vortex edge blades, light weight, narrower handles and rigged a little heavy, which I prefer.
Inspired by thanksgiving discussion, and feeling cold from the row, upon arriving home at 9 I made oatmeal with nutmeg, brown sugar, cinnamon and banana. I vacuumed the apartment while it cooked. The oatmeal was outstanding. Took me back to my college days when I made it in my room in the mornings during the arctic New Hampshire mountain winters. My friend Frode would come up for breakfast from time to time. He was really cool. I hadn't had oatmeal for a long time.
I've showered, have on one of my wool sweaters from Ireland, my fleece socks, and a load of laundry running downstairs.
The last 24 hours give me much Gemuetlichkeit.
I was first introduced to the word by the profoundly literate mother of L.
Last night I got to hang out with L and her parents. Mom had made a hearty turkey stock soup with hunks of bacon and chicken thighs and veggies and giant dumplings. There was a fire. It was a "just come and hang out" evening, so I brought my laptop to get some work finished. Highlight of my night was holding L for a long while while she settled down to get ready to sleep. She's so damn adorable. I typed, L snuggled, we were happy.
I got to hear for the first time L working on talking. Definitely very prolific pre-verbal behavior. Long, half-sung streams of "da da da da da." Very cute little voice.
I drove home thinking, "Fatherhood would be quite nice." Of course, my experience was totally made possible by all the caretaking done by L's mom. I get all the snuggles and none of the diapers. And I don't have to find baby sitters. Nor did I have to cook. Though I did share my tiramisu cake, which got good reviews.
Up this morning for a sparsely attended rowing practice. To make the numbers work, I took out a single and did about 10 miles. I'd have liked a long row in the 8+, but the single is fine. It was low 40's. I wore the new hat L's mom knitted for me. I like it, since it keeps me warm, but still breathes so I don't cook. The single moved well. I did a little square blade work, to keep the skills sharp, but mostly cruised around the creek, chasing larger boats (4x's, 4-'s). I got to use some new oars, and they were cool. Vortex edge blades, light weight, narrower handles and rigged a little heavy, which I prefer.
Inspired by thanksgiving discussion, and feeling cold from the row, upon arriving home at 9 I made oatmeal with nutmeg, brown sugar, cinnamon and banana. I vacuumed the apartment while it cooked. The oatmeal was outstanding. Took me back to my college days when I made it in my room in the mornings during the arctic New Hampshire mountain winters. My friend Frode would come up for breakfast from time to time. He was really cool. I hadn't had oatmeal for a long time.
I've showered, have on one of my wool sweaters from Ireland, my fleece socks, and a load of laundry running downstairs.
The last 24 hours give me much Gemuetlichkeit.
posted by Kenneth at 11:30 AM
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