“In Indian glades the tiger sighs,/The siroc whirls the desert sands—/Love touches all, all climes”

[larryhammer]

The common era new year started a couple days ago, but it’s only now that we’re finally back to the school-day schedule. Things introduced to and enjoyed by Eaglet during their 2½ weeks of winter break included:

• sledding on sand
• sledding on snow
• sleeping in past 6:30 am
• Yotsuba&!
• that new* local ramen shop
• Doctor Who

Starting that last with Season 8** wouldn’t have been my first choice entry point, but Capaldi’s prickliness apparently hasn’t been too off-putting. Least favorite was sledding on snow—only one thumb up, being greatly enjoyed until their lack of decent snowsports clothing caught up with them. (Cold-weather clothing they have, though reluctantly worn, but nothing resembling, say, ski pants.)

A successful break, all around.

How have you guys been?


* For values of “new” that include “since the start of the pandemic.”

** Yes, janni and I are that far behind.

---L.

Subject quote from I Love My Love in the Morning, J. William Lloyd.

Comments

[asakiyume]

I was so intrigued by the notion of gypsum sands and of this park that I visited the website you linked to--and then felt cowed by the potential dangers (both heat stroke AND hypothermia, sandstorms, etc.) But what a cool phenomenon! Now I want to find out more about gypsum and gypsum sands.

Also, I love the lines you quote for a subject line. Beautiful.

[larryhammer]

There are three places in the world with enough gypsum sand to form dunes, all in this corner of the continent, and White Sands NP is by far the biggest patch of dunes. They can only form when the water table is near the surface, and the sand gets waterlogged. (It’s not potable, though, being very brackish.)

When we visited, the north sides of dunes had frost throughout the day, and several slopes were frozen solid not far below the surface. Contrariwise, in high summer, the water makes the sand cool enough to walk on barefoot (though the reflected sunlight is still quite dangerous).

Amazing place.

[karanguni]

One day I will get to the White Sand Dunes! I've been to the Great Sands, and the Coral Sands, but not that one!

[larryhammer]

Whereas I still haven't been to the Coral Sands, heh.

[dragongirlg]

I too have only watched up to the end of Season 7 of Doctor Who. I think I had some kind of access issue starting with Season 8 and never bothered to look for an alternative.

A new poem for me to learn, thank you!

[larryhammer]

We were about a year behind, at the start of Season 7, when parenthood hit us. We've been slowly clawing forward, especially these last few months.

[dragongirlg]

Ah, come to think of it, I think I moved house around that time! I'm interested to hear what you think.