“Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.”
The morning was lovely. I had to be up and about early, early for me, not the rest of the world, and be in Hyannis by nine. When I went outside to leave, my windshield was covered in frost. The air was wonderfully crisp the way a winter morning should be. It wasn’t cold, but there was a chill in the air left over from the nighttime. The sun was just gearing up to warm the day. It’s already 45°.
After my appointment, I did a bit of last-minute shopping. I needed a few small gifts for Colorado as I’m sending their packages tomorrow. Tonight I’ll wrap what I bought then off the boxes will go wending their way westward. I stopped at a couple of more places before I came home, but I saved one for later so Gracie can come for the ride.
I always send Christmas cards. For me, they are a way of staying in touch and of telling people you’re thinking of them during this wonderful season. I buy special cards for my dearest friends and for my sisters. The other cards I send are also special but in their own way as they are cards illustrated by Edward Gorey. They are amazing drawings far different from the usual cards filled with snowmen, holly or trees. The Gorey cards always make me smile, and I think of them as my Christmas trademark.
My mother had a green metal file box with snowflakes all over it. Inside were index cards alphabetically tabbed and other individual cards were filed by name. On each card my mother kept track of the two columns below the name: one was labeled sent and the other received. In those days we got so many cards the mailman came twice, once in the morning and later in the afternoon. We’d take turns opening the cards, and once in a while a card would come for each of us. We were thrilled. My mother would sometimes put those cards in the middle of the tree. They served as decorations and also hid some of the bare spots. The rest of the cards were taped around the inside doorways and around the picture window.
Some of my friends still send cards but it is a dying tradition. I’m saddened by that. I love going to the mailbox and finding the red or green envelopes and knowing I have some cards to open. I still have a couple from when I was a kid. Those go in the middle of the tree even if there isn’t a bare spot.
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December 13, 2011 at 12:50 pm
You have the same weather we had here on Sunday, now we’re having a new storm with mostly rain but some snow every now and again. Thnakfully I don’t live close to any bigger river because they think most of them will flood tonight.
I had a dip in card sending a couple of years but now I’m on the track again 🙂 I always use one of my own photographs and none show any signs of winter 🙂 I still get some cards though but it isn’t like it used to be and like You I think it is sad.
Have a great day!
Christer.
December 13, 2011 at 10:14 pm
Christer,
We’re also due for rain later in the week. It will be in the 40’s but will be much colder at night. I hope to here here, safe and warm.
It was too late when I thought of using one of my African shots, maybe next year.
December 13, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Mrs Hedley and I were having exactly this discussion yesterday.
Long gone are the days of Christmas cards. Four arrived yesterday and that doubled the number that we received for the season.
Growing up, we had a card Christmas tree which held the seasons greetings and provided a colorful annual decoration. My Grandfather kept meticulous records of who had and had not sent a card. I think that the rule was two years and then was the end.
I guess today our Christmas greetings come in a box from amazon.
December 13, 2011 at 10:16 pm
My Dear Hedley,
As with reading the actual paper, I will not go easily. Each year I will continue to send cards. I enjoy doing it and I enjoy staying in touch.
My mother and your grandfather had meticulus files in common. I don’t remember her number of years grace before the index card was removd.
December 13, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Cards are slow coming this year and I suspect less because of email and the economy. But your photo gave me an idea. Six of the 14 or so we’ve received are cat photos, some of their own cats, mostly from followers of my blog and Ann’s. I think I will copy them and use as a post on my blog. PhotoShop experts have even dressed their kittehs for the Christmas cards. Is that where we’re heading? I always enjoyed catching up with lifelong friends at Christmas through cards but as I get older the cards comments are mostly about health matters. Good post today, Kat!
December 13, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Z and M , are cats considered festive? Like Rudolph the Red Nosed Moggy ? Here comes Santa Cat ?
Salutations from Hedley and the Westie in Michigan
December 13, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Z&Me,
Thanks, Z&Me. I am only newsy about what I’ve been doing or what’s been going on. Health is never part of it.
I have seen many cats and hats pictures. Even though they’re PhotoShopped, the cats still look unhappy.
I’m for keeping those cards coming.
December 13, 2011 at 8:08 pm
You really outdid yourself this year with the card. I SO enjoy keeping up with Mike, Eleanor, Mindy and Kat. And such penmanship!
December 13, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Thank you so much, im6. That was my hope. Only the right card will do for you. When I see it, I know it and so did Mike, Eleanor and Mindy!
December 14, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Keep the cards coming? Is that another name for a blog?
December 14, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Z&Me,
I hadn’t given it thought, but I do like the sound of that name.
December 14, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Hi Kat,
I think the US postal service and Hallmark would love for everyone to send Christmas cards every day of the year.I personally love sending electronic cards instead. I still like paper books.
I am in southern China in the city of Zuhai. The weather has been very nice with high temperatures in the low 70s and low temperatures in the upper 50s. Zuhai is in mainland China next door to Macaw and is just an hour ferry ride from Hong Kong. The place is a very large, modern, crowded industrial city. Lots of high rise buildings and apartment towers. The provence contains many factories that produces many of the goods that we buy in the US.
Chinese food here is different from that which is avaiable in most US cities. I tell my hosts that I will anything as long as it doesn’t bite back or bark. If you want to eat very good Chinese food in the US and avoid the 15 hour plane trip just travel to San Francisco. The Chinese food is very close to what I have had here in China.
Before returning I am going to spend a couple of days in Hong Kong to see the sights and buy some Chanukah gifts. I will keep you all informed of my adventures.
December 14, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Bob,
I usually send e-cards for holidays other than christmas. I really like getting cards in the mail, and I know several of my friends do as well. It must be a throwback to our childhoods.
That weather sounds perfect. If I had to invent weather for every day, it would be much like Zuhai’s. I used Google images hoping to see Zuhai, but there weren’t enough pictures to give me a good idea of it so I’ll just imagine from your description.
I’m with you on Chinese food which doesn’t bark or bite. San Francisco is one of those cities on my list I do want to see.
Enjoy your time in Hong Kong. I’ll be waiting for the next chronicle.
December 14, 2011 at 8:00 pm
My wife and I wrote our Christmas cards last night at our big dining room table while listening to ‘The Santaland Diaries’ by David Sedaris. In the middle of our work we heard a considerable amount of thumping from upstairs, which turned out to be Ella with a freshly caught mouse. She’s a 1-year-old indoor cat and it was her first catch. Sadly, we weren’t able to release. We’re sending about 60 cards this year.
December 14, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Mark,
Ella was doing her job and helping with family responsibilities.
Recently, the only mouse I ever saved was one the dog had cornered in the backyard. Years ago I did use my have-a-heart trap and caught 17 mice, but I heard them so I knew they were in the house. I don’t hear them any more. Once in a while I do find one which has passed. It’s usually in the hall. I always assume it is Maddie doing the hunting.
December 14, 2011 at 11:32 pm
I never send e-cards. And, I never open them.
I’m sorry to offend anyone, but an e-card is not a thought. It’s an afterthought. An easy, no work, no bother, afterthought.
December 14, 2011 at 11:57 pm
John,
It is certainly easier to send an e-card. At Christmas I sent all real cards. For the other holidays I send my family cards but e-cards to others. I actually like going to the store and finding the right cards. For Christmas, my sisters always get musical cards from me. My favorite this year was one which, when opened, played but only when you moved the needle to the player.