February 9, 2013
It's the eve of one my favorite holidays of the year, Chinese New Year. We are entering the Year of the Snake, a significant year for Gena, Georgia, Larry, and Ellen. I had never considered what it meant that they are all snakes. Here's what my book says about the snake personality: Philosopher, theologian, political wizard, wily financier - the Snake person is the deepest thinker and enigma of the Chinese cycle. S/he is endowed with an inborn wisdom of his/her very own; a mystic in his/her own right. Graceful and soft-spoken, s/he loves good books, food, music, the theater; s/he will gravitate toward all the finer things in life. The most beautiful women and powerful men tend to be born under this sign. So if you are one of the Snake people, you are in good company. Gena is the fire snake and shares this sign with Schubert, John F. Kennedy and Indira Gandhi. Everyone else is a water snake, a sign also claimed by Brahms and Mao Tse-tung.
We have come through the double blizzard that gripped the northeast corridor last night into a sunny, brilliant blue sky afternoon. During a walk to get the last fixings for a New Year's hotpot, the 12-18 inches of snow on the ground was the perfect acoustical cushion for the unusually active congregation of birds chattering up in the trees. The blanket of snow everywhere reassures me that my recent obsession with crocheting all the yarns leftover from projects or purchased because I just couldn't resist the touch into blankets is simply a seasonal inspiration. Eventually, the snow will disappear and I am sure that along with it my urge to crochet will disappear too. I'm on my third blanket.
In preparation for New Year's eve dumplings, I have been reading Grace Lin's Dumpling Days. It's her childhood story of visiting Taiwan to see what her parents refer to as "our homeland." Of course, Pacy, the narrator of the story is not easily convinced since she is an English-speaking, American-born Chinese girl. The story is filled with details that remind me how much we loved our few years in Taiwan.
To all the Snake people a special Happy New Year. 新 年 快 樂!
