2. I'm staying in secret motel for Christmas and New Year's. I thought about going to my mother's, but I am still recovering from my Thanksgiving visit. She has nothing good to say about my father or anyone else, here or departed, in our family. I imagine she says negative things about me, too. I took her out to a restaurant the day after Thanksgiving. She gave me grief for ordering a beer with my dinner. "Just let me enjoy myself a little bit, will ya?" I told her. I don't understand how anyone is expected to spend significant time with her and remain cold sober.
3. I keep putting off visits to R. in Utah. Maybe this spring. She wants me to stay at their house. But I am an awkward house guest. I think it would be fun to stay at a really nice hotel in SLC. I just hate the idea of flying anywhere and having to deal with the American security apparatus. I should just swallow the discomfort and go. It would be so nice to see her again. She is the brightest distant light in my life.