Shortest Day Just Past

It's officially winter! For a soothing solstice website, visit Candlegrove.

In a week or so, the setting sun will catch me in the eye at my office. Soon thereafter, I'll be going home before the sun makes it to my window.

Childless, Childfree, or With Child...

I posted a somewhat sharp comment on Raul's blog yesterday, and got not only a response from Raul but from another reader. I was taking issue with Raul's use of "childless," being somewhat hyper sensitive to the word and the negative connotation I was hit with.

I'd love to have kids. I'd love to be confident that I was stable enough and my meager income and partner with a disability could provide every positive moment possible for even one child in our home. We had dreams of children, but current circumstances scream NO KIDS to us right now. We're 38 and 39, and we struggle. Being a gay male couple, it's more than just a matter of not using birth control. Much more.

What do you think? Does "childless" fall into the same house as "homeless" and "tasteless"? Is "childfree" too far in the other direction, as if children were a burden to be avoided, like sugar in sugarfree gum? What about "non-childed"? What about me growing thicker skin?

I deeply admire Raul's blog and his writing, but I just had to comment honestly.

You know it's Christmas in Lufkin, Texas...

...when Oil Pump Rudolf starts his annual celebration!

Lufkin's Rudolf is one of those childhood memories I'll always cherish. He's been pumping every Christmas for 40 years, lifting his antlers 45 feet into the air. When I was young, Rudolf was assembled about 3 blocks from my house, on Lufkin Industries property. Now he greets people from the Lufkin Mall parking lot, guiding the locals and travelers as they make their way around the loop.

Um...

...it's been a while, meaning I haven't been in much of a sharing mood. Holidays aren't what they once were before I began claiming my self and examining connections and relationships.