Author: Rene

…my mother would be figuring out the meal for Christmas Eve. It was usually soup. I don’t think there were many surprises or deviations on that menu. Christmas Day? That was always at both sets of grandparents, running up and down that well-trod alley between the homes. I don’t know which side dish she claimed, but it could easily have been a jello creation.

Anyway, if my mom only had to figure out soup, I’m wondering why my list is so long?

It’s time to put the armor on and prepare to do battle with grocery store parking lots! Either early in the morning, or late at night when all of the super-speedy high school checkers are employed – that’s my strategy.

Since it’s already cup ‘o coffee time, I guess I’m going late at night.

It begins…looking ahead to Christmas Day.

When I was a child, Christmas was spent visiting the grandparents, both sets who lived on the same block in a little village where my parents were born and raised, and I, too, was born. We ran up the alley from one house to the other. It was predictable and anticipated. So much fun to be had with the 50 cousins we met that day. (We saw them more than that, but at Christmas we usually got the full count. And frankly, I haven’t stopped to accurately count, but I have more than 50 first cousins.)

Now, I’m planning meals and figuring out schedules. Of course I enjoy it, but I’m pretty sure my grandmothers had the same menu and the aunts brought the same sides year after year. All I know is, as kids we were ignored and had the run of the house and the town when we were all together. And my grandmother with the most grandchildren gave the unmarried ones two dollars each year. Finally, when I turned 30, she was relieved of her duties and invested elsewhere. (I may have held the record for latest marriage date in her clan.)

Ah, I miss the grandmothers. Their spirit lives on through my hosting efforts, which include good food, family and friends, and of course, music.

The music part is a story for another day!

Well, the razzle dazzle of the day was a fox seen at 9 pm in the evening on Tuesday night. It took all day, but I saw the unexpected. After that, it was necessary to fly to Florida for some more interest.

Lest you think you are cold and could use a good dose of warmth, do not come to Florida. You are going to have to fly further south for that need. If you are looking for sunshine – stay home. It’s far sunnier there than it is here. However, nothing beats the company of good friends, so if you have good friends in Florida, by all means visit.

I’ll be wearing my red winter cape to dinner, but that’s what I would have worn rain or snow. I guess it doesn’t matter where I go, the unexpected is always to be expected!

Why would I awaken with the words, “Heavens to murgatroyd,” being delivered in Snagglepuss’s slow drawl? To what depths did my subconscious sink in dreamland?

I had to look up the spelling and the meaning of the idiomatic expression which conveys surprise.

So, with that in my addled brain, I shall seek and relish the surprises in the day, or as my mother-in-law would say, the “razzle dazzle.”

My neighbor across the street has a big white fence around his property – the kind you imagine in the Kentucky equine vicinity. He has it decorated with strings of white lights, as well as having trees shining with red and white lights. It is beautiful. I was inspired.

I put my usual fare out for the year, adding to it with leftover strands, hoping to create a masterpiece. It was looking better than before…until my neighbor decided to unearth every strand of lights she owned and adorn her fence, retaining wall and porch. Next, the neighbor behind me installed lighted strands from the top of his flagpole to the ground. It can be seen for miles. Both displays are stunning.

How to keep up? The obvious answer – I’m going to have to install a fence and a flagpole to provide me with more options for embellishing the property! I’ll just put that little note in with my lights when I store them, in case I forget this great idea.

I know I didn’t post for a few days. That’s okay. My sister and I were enjoying the time with the future generation and keeping up with our own lives. At the same time we were reminiscing and missing our third compatriot – the “fun” sister.

Our middle sister was the spark of the family and she is sorely missed. As with many people, December is a bittersweet time. We are bombarded with joyful commercials touting giving and gifts, and yet we are well aware that something is missing.

So, we forge ahead, with love and memories to guide us. And I swear, this evening, my sister was behind me, touching my shoulder, giving me courage.

Peace and love spur us on!

So true. Thanks to my son and bro-in-law for a lovely evening and therapy session. The laughter chases away the worry and sadness we could cling to if we didn’t have each other!

Looking forward to more remedial treatment today.

…and I’m not talking about my favorite nuns, though I have had a few! Going to have fun frolicking with babies and a toddler!

Sometimes I think writers live totally “out of the moment” on the journeys they compose. Whatever they are creating is a recollection or a prediction or a wish. Really, no matter what you think though, you are always “living in the moment.”

Don’t ask me how we got here. Perhaps it was the road sign? Perhaps the meme. Perhaps the coffee is extra strong and the scarf around my neck is obstructing blood flow? Whatever the cause I shall be intent on living in the moment, sword and shield in hand.

Watch out, Thursday, here I come!

We had a blast yesterday entertaining a little two-year old. The park, a restaurant with a booth, a lollipop after nap, riding her motorcycle outside in the glorious weather, and of course, the “bouncy house.” She was properly returned to her parents with enough sugar and energy to sustain her through dinner.

It will be hard to top that fun today!