“Santa knows Physics: Of all colors, Red Light penetrates fog best. That’s why Benny the Blue-nosed reindeer never got the gig.”
Last night the wind started. I was with Jack in the cat room when a wind shook the house. All three animals looked up. I looked at the walls. That was the strongest wind of all. It was scary.
My tree is still unlit, but that is only because I stayed away; now, however, I am ready again to brave the unlit lights except I have a plan. If they don’t get lit, I’ll just replace the strands. I have more.
We used to hang our stockings on the tiny bannister on the way upstairs. Mine was on the top. I was the oldest. I remember that stocking and my name in glitter. Over time it started to unravel. That’s when I lost touch with my stocking. I figure it must have been tossed when my parents moved, and I was in Ghana. My sister, the youngest of the four of us, still has hers. I think because she and her stocking moved together. What a wonderful thing to have!
I gave each of my sisters’ kids, a niece and two nephews, their Christmas stockings. I even needle-pointed my niece’s, and my mother backed the stocking. I think it has immeasurable value, my mother’s handiwork. I also gave my niece and nephews’ kids their stockings. My sister told me it was a tradition. My last grandnephew was born a year ago. He got a different sort of stocking, one knitted by a woman in England. I found her on Etsy and have used her talents three times for three different stockings. She never disappointed.
I used to think that traditions came from way back. Some do but others are new. I used to fill three piñatas, one each for my niece and her two brothers, my nephews, to be whacked on Christmas Eve. It was a Christmas highlight. Now, my niece and my nephew filled piñatas for each others’ kids. It is an aunt and nephew thing.
I send gingerbread houses to be constructed and decorated to my niece and nephews. I started sending them to my sister’s kids when my oldest nephew was three. The houses are sent to their kids now. One of my favorites pictures of one year’s completed construction was the Star Wars encampment my grand-nephew built, the one who is now 16. Walls were still walls, but his walls circled a rebellion camp. He used his Star War figures to protect his people behind the walls of his gingerbread house. It was a grand design.
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December 23, 2022 at 3:53 pm
Hi Kat,
We finally warmed up to a cold 25°. The sky is clear and the sun is shining but it’s still very cold.
My spouse likes to keep the thermostats at like 65°. I wear sweaters all the time and sleep under three blankets. So far the power grid held and almost everyone has electricity. Some folks were without power yesterday when the wind was blowing and some power lines went down.
When your nieces and nephew gets older it gets harder to buy them gifts. I don’t know what my wife gave my son for Chanukah, but he told her he doesn’t like it. Although, he is 25, sometimes he acts like a five year old. I’m one who hates receiving gifts. For one thing no one ever gave me a gift I wanted or liked or used. Many gifts I received in the past stayed in my closet until I had to give someone else a gift and I would regift the gift. The entire idea of giving gifts is sort of stupid anyway. Why not give people money and let them buy what they want. That way the stores will still have the money which keeps our economy going, and let people buy what the like or save the money for something they really want.
December 23, 2022 at 4:39 pm
Hi Bob,
We are actually at 49° which is warmish for this time of year. The cold, though, is coming.
I keep my house at 68° and then 65° in the nighttime. I wear a sweatshirt or a log sleeve shirt. Sometimes the cold comes in the dog door so I have to close it sometimes.
I never give money. I work hard at finding the right gifts and my friends and family liked what I give them. They get good gifts and fun gifts. I think gifts carefully chosen show an appreciation of the person to whom you are giving the gift. The stores will have the money regardless of gift cards or presents. I shop at many stores on line. I do need help when choosing a gift for my 16 year old grand-nephew. Teens are tough/
December 23, 2022 at 11:46 pm
Hi Kat,
Just wanted to check in. I don’t have really any Christmas memories, of course. Many think that is Hanukkah is comparable to Christmas, but it’s not. It is a minor holiday. Maybe (grin) I’ve been naughty ( my T.V. blew out ) maybe I’ve been nice ( I’m always nice except when I’m not. The tune Santa Clause is coming to town hit an earwhig.
I wrote a letter to Hanuclase, and my list is within reason.
May the holidays be wonderful for you.
Peace,
Lori
December 24, 2022 at 10:17 am
My Dear Lori,
I don’t believe for one minute that you TV is anything but age or faulty equipment. Everything has an end point.
I know Hanukkah has gifts and dinner. Probably it being around Christmas time a connection was made. Who knows?
Santa Claus Coming to Town was one of our concert songs for my uke group. Our last concert was Wednesday. Next week the music changes.
You have wonderful days!!
Love,
Kat