The car windows are covered in frost. The morning air is cold. It is only in the mid-30’s, but the weather prediction is for the low 40’s, and, with no wind, it will feel warmish. I have some outside chores today. I need to clean Nala’s mess in the backyard. I also need to connect the new timers for the front lights. I found a set of white lights yesterday in the cellar so I’ll add that set to those already on the deck. My chores won’t take me long so I’ll also finish decorating the house. I did a bit yesterday, but I have more to do. It will be a busy day.

When I was a kid, we started the countdown to Christmas a week away from the big day. Usually we were out of school on the 23rd. That heightened the excitement. On the 24th we stayed around the house. A few wrapped presents were always under the tree taunting us. In the late afternoon, we watched the New Hampshire Santa Claus make his good-byes before he took off in his sleigh. We didn’t know his route so we didn’t know how long it would be until he got to us. We just knew we needed to be asleep. I remember trying to go to bed as early as five, but my mother knew better so we were stuck downstairs. Sometimes A Christmas Carol was on so that whiled away the hours. Bedtime just never seemed to come soon enough for the first ever.

I always thought mass on Christmas Day was the worst. Having to leave all our new stuff seemed inhumane though I didn’t know that word back then, but I knew the feeling. My brother and I had to walk by ourselves to church because my parents had gone to midnight mass. I remember it was usually dark when we left for the earliest Christmas morning mass. Only the street lights were on. I remember at mass one year it was my brother and I and a few old ladies bundled in heavy coats and scarves. Mass was at the site altar, no altar boys and best of all, no sermon. It was my favorite Christmas mass of all time.

The rain stopped for a bit, but more rain and even snow are predicted for today. It got cold over night, and the cold lingers. The sky is grey and getting darker. Then wind is getting stronger. I have already been out this morning. I met with my surgeon. He was both pleased and surprised by the progress of my finger. He did say he was going to extend therapy for another month. He also said it would be at least a year before my finger would be at its best. He said again how terrible the injury was, and how lucky I am to have my finger. I figured he was trying to mitigate his announcement of a year. It didn’t help.

When I was a kid, a Saturday like today would mean staying home probably watching TV or reading upstairs in the quiet of my bedroom. My bike would be in its winter storage in the cellar by now coming out only on a warmish day. I do remember riding to the white store on Christmas Eve one year. My mother needed bread and milk. It seemed to me such an ordinary task on such an extraordinary day.

Like most kids, I really wanted a white Christmas. I knew Santa’s sleigh flew, but it had runners so it needed snow. I was always disappointed by a clear or a rainy Christmas except for one year. That was the year of the bike. I got to ride it on Christmas Day. I felt so proud sitting on my new bike and riding up and down the street. I hoped all the neighbors noticed.

I have a concert today. Originally I wasn’t going, but a spot opened up. It is in Orleans at a magnificent chocolate store. Last year at the concert I bought bagfuls of chocolate Santas and reindeer mostly for other people, but I did sneak in a few for myself. Tis’ the season for chocolate reindeer!

My backyard is filled with Nala trash, the remnants of her pilfered goods. This morning I noticed my bread was gone. It had been in what I thought was a safe place. I need a lock box. Nothing is safe. I really wanted toast this morning.