I am completely into working over the house for the
Christmas Holiday time. I finished the small tree yesterday and the large
one is down from the attic and set in place. A table and a footstool and my
large rug hooking basket have been carried out of the living room to give more
room for people and I have finished the mantel. For the season, my deer rug hangs over the mantel rather than the Oliver Cromwell ship rug. Wreaths and garlands and
ornaments and sleds and pine cones and on and on must be found. From year to year I am never sure I can
gather myself enough to do all of this, but so far so good. It is further
complicated by the fact Jackie died at Christmas, all the while telling me he
wanted me to go on living fully after he was gone. Friend Ruby Lee called yesterday and said
what are you doing? I said I am decorating the tree, and have music on, Manheim
steam roler’s Fum fum fum comes on and I dance fast around the room til I am out
of breath and then Auld Lang Syne comes
on and I cry some. Either way I am still living life fully and passionately.
Cold damp weather makes it less easy to work but I expect to
have the major decorating done soon. The sun porch is used as a
staging area and is a jungle right now, but must be tamed to handle overflow guests
on party days. I plan parties on Dec 6th 8th
and 13th. I will also be cooking a lot this week, which is something I do very little of normally. I will have company over the Thanksgiving weekend. The town expects 25,000 visitors this weekend so it is impossible to eat out and I must have food here for some of us about four days. Daughter Beth will have 20 of us in on Thanksgiving day itself.
My van will be away from me being
worked on during some parts of this, a bummer. I was run into
by a fast running deer last Monday evening right here in my neighborhood. She ran off fast so I hope was not much hurt. But my dear Vanessa that I have had 14 years had never had a dent before.
I enjoy the bustle of the Holiday season and love our little town decorated for Christmas. Downtown buildings are outlined in light and it is a wonderland. We have banners across the street saying Merry Christmas and a crèche in the center of town. We don't have reindeer in our Christmas parade but we do have llamas! My little grandchildren love them! e
