The one day of warmth is gone. Winter is back. It is in the 30’s. I’d complain, but that does no good; however, there is a saving grace, a gift from Mother Nature. Despite the cold, the morning is a marvel with its deep blue sky, lots of sun and the stillest air. It is just lovely.

Yesterday’s wind split the pine tree once standing just inside the backyard. One large branch fell on the gate but didn’t do any damage. The top of the tree fell outside the yard just beyond the fence. I didn’t even hear a thing. I only noticed last night when I let the dogs out just before we went to bed. I saw something lying in the yard by the stairs. I thought Nala had brought stolen goods outside, but she was wrongly accused. There were couple of small branches lying by the gate then I saw the big branch and the split tree.

When I was a kid, after the walk home from school, I was usually cold despite the winter coat, the pink long underwear to my knees, the knee socks, the hat and the mittens. As soon as I’d get home, I’d shed all the layers and get into my pajamas. I’d lie in bed under the blanket and read. The lamp on the headboard lit the pages of my book and helped keep me warm. I got cozy.

Every Christmas morning, I’d grab my stocking, sit on the floor and take out one gift at a time to give each its due. I remember a coloring book and crayons. I’d find hand games like Jacks and Pick Up Sticks nd sometimes colored pencils. They’d be a wooden paddle with a red ball attached by a long elastic. Sometimes there’d be a pair of Christmas socks. Chocolate Santas were usually at the bottom of the stocking. A small stuffed animal or cloth doll always poked its head out of the top. My mother was the queen at stuffing a stocking.

This entry was posted on December 20, 2025 at 11:51 am and is filed under Musings. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.