The weather is taking a warm turn today, the predicted high temperature will be -5C. It to get even warmer in these few days before Christmas, so it is probable the little bit of snow we have on the ground will melt, and we will have a green Christmas. I now love green Christmases, after living in the north in the bush, where the snow had a definite personality of its own, a personality with a lot of attitude. Green is good.
We spend our Christmas Day with just the two of us, with a few exceptions, and have done since Terra left home in 2001. Our children and grandchildren spend their Christmas Day with the in-laws, as far as we know. At first it was distressing, after spending so many decades sharing a busy Christmas with my children. There is a lot of hype in the world, about Christmas being a happy “family” event. Really though, for tens of thousands and thousands and thousands of people, that is just not the case. And some of us, in spite of the hype, experience wonderful Christmases without a big happy family gathering.
Attila and I accepted reality, and moved on.
Now we enjoy our quiet Christmas Days. All the excitement of childhood has mellowed into a peaceful enjoyment of colourful lights and delicious food. We usually read, watch a few movies, and cook, cook, cook! And I feel peace knowing that the tradition of the warmth of animals, and the kindness of strangers, is alive and flourishing in this world, despite all that is desperately wrong with the present human condition.
It feels funny to write of these things, as I don’t know who is reading. Yes, I do know my Mom and sisters read what is written here, and some of my cherished friends read these words, many I have met here. But there are many who read these scratchings who I do not know of, and I cannot know how these words land in your world. But I do know that, no matter what you may make of this prose, I harbour goodwill towards those who are kind and compassionate.
Worldly
Weather
-12°C
Date: 8:13 AM EST Saturday 21 December 2019
Condition: Mostly Cloudy
Pressure: 103.5 kPa
Tendency: Falling
Temperature: -12.4°C
Dew point: -14.5°C
Humidity: 84%
Wind: NE 11 km/h
Wind Chill: -18
Visibility: 24 km
Quote
“There is something about the presence of a cat…that seems to take the bite out of being alone.”
Louis J. Camuti
1893 – 1981
“Louis J. Camuti was a New York City cat veterinarian who made housecalls on cats and their people for over sixty years. He was the first veterinarian in the United States to devote his entire practice to cats.””
We had Christmas with the grandkids yesterday. Today, we’re up at the cottage where the temp hit a lovely 8C and there is green grass in spots. At home, there’s about 3 to 4 inches of snow and the best we’ve done is -1.
We’re trying to get around to visit our cottage friends this weekend. It’s odd and sad, in a way, but I feel much closer to the cottage friends than DH’s family. The friends we’re making here are nicer and more kind, and more interested in us than the family, with the exception of DH’s older son. We will see him on Christmas Day. We have a tradition of opening presents, going out to brunch, and then going out to a movie.
The first part with the grandkids sounds somewhat like what you’re going through, doesn’t it?
And Christmas Eve, Tuesday, is our 13th anniversary. We’ll go out for an early dinner, since most restaurants close early that day.
Hope you have a lovely, comfy holiday, Maggie.
Merry Christmas Maggie and Attila. xoxox
Teri, your Christmas plans sound lovely! How wonderful to experience a small community of kind friends! The Grandkid thing sounds similar, and it is well within normal, so many people describe this type of situation.
Happy Anniversary! And Merry Christmas to you and DH and all your furry family members!
Merry Christmas to you Bex and Paul. xoxox
Merry Christmas to you and Attila!
All best wishes for the holiday season and for health and happiness in the coming year to you, Maggie, to Attila, and to all my fellow readers of your wonderful story.
Merry Christmas, health and happiness to you and yours Wendy. I hope you are having a peaceful and pleasant day!
Maggie, I got an elliptical for Christmas. I’m excited about it because I can’t walk any distance when we have snow and ice on the ground – but do you find your elliptical makes your knee grind?
I’ve got the tension as low as it goes but – wow – even one minute will be quite a work out compared to regular walking.
Hope you and Attila are enjoying your holidays!
Teri, I find that the elliptical does not bother my knees at all. I did not begin using it or any length of time though, at first it was only a few minutes at a time, which I gradually increased. Right now I use it in relatively short spurts, 10 minutes, which is all I can maintain before getting bored and moving on to doing something else, lol. Mine has no tension settings. I find that I need to use my arms as well, to push and pull, which is good for the upper body as well. “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, this is what I tell myself when I begin something new. “Slow and steady wins the race” is another saying that I often repeat to myself as well. Good luck with it!
Thanks for the good wishes, sending the same to you and DH!