It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

Sitting on the sofa after dinner, I just couldn’t take it anymore. Done with television, tired of being cold, in need of accomplishment. “Let’s go to Home Depot.”

Monday night is the primo evening for errands. No one graced the home improvement giant, and we were waited on in every department by people who seemed genuinely happy to have someone to assist. (I did learn that 45 minutes is apparently my limit there.) We left with an appointment for a flooring measure and a package of sawtooth picture hangars, $2.90. Rather satisfying.

Upon leaving, my husband noticed my fuel level, which is once again approaching the danger zone. (Apparently I can’t fuel up with more than 45 miles left in the tank either?) We decided to continue the fun and fill ‘er up, which was conveniently located by the grocery. We additionally piled on the excitement by purchasing eggs, bread, butter, milk, and that other staple in life, cream of tartar.

Leaving the lot, I suggested we drive through the housing development with the ostentatious lighting display set to music. It’s always such a festive and fun thing to do – sit in your car and watch the lights dance in rhythm with the Christmas tunes. However, my driver said, “We can’t have all the fun in one evening.”

I can’t wait to see what tonight brings!

The outdoor nativity I own is supposed to be illuminated. I vowed to display it nearly three weeks ago. I got as far as setting it out, but getting an extension cord apparently was beyond my abilities. Perhaps I should have opted for this less taxing display?

Oh, I just wanted to wait until there was snow on the ground, freezing cold temps, and a chance to run the cord across ice. Everyone needs a little danger in their day, right, Sis?

The squash at the grocery store probably shouldn’t be a friend. However, when you find yourself chatting to the squash bin and informing one of them that they shall be coming home with you, well, you realize you will have new habits to relinquish upon unmasking. You really can’t promise every fruit and vegetable a home. Additionally, we don’t eat our friends.

My neighbor is contemplating a dog after she attempted to converse with the television set. Looking at my plants, I long for the days when all I did was ignore them. Now I am attempting to win their friendship on a weekly basis, with actual water and cheerful banter. This is setting them up for a fall when I return to “survival of the fittest” mode with them.

True friends are still true friends though, and hanging with them in person is my wish for Christmas.

Last Thursday I was bemoaning my weight gain with my sister during our daily phone call. “I just need a piece of equipment with which to exercise,” was my repeated lament. The next day, my neighbor mentioned during our weekly cantina, that she was putting her elliptical on the Nextdoor neighbor app. Voila! 24 hours and I had my answer.

Thankfully my son and son-in-law were able to transport the beast to my basement where I have been having a daily chat and workout with my sib. This is necessary as the following Pinterest pin aptly describes my exercise plan thus far.

So far, I’ve only gained two pounds this week!

Some of you actually read what I write, and take the appropriate opportunity to gently correct me, as has my friend, “Pacie.” As she prompted me to investigate, I offer this notation:

…Why are bananas berries but strawberries are not? They are derived from a single flower with more than one ovary, making them an aggregate fruit. True berries are simple fruits stemming from one flower with one ovary and typically have several seeds. … But no, they’re actually considered a berry, too—with one, giant seed. So, bananas are berries and raspberries aren’t.

All I know is that I have to reconfigure my artistic representation. I shall remove the banana, leaving two citrus fruits to vie for attention. This sounds like a call-back from an audition of yore.

I’m just going to assume I got the part.

Now I’m considering becoming an artist, painting beautiful still life with oils. Why? Because, by sheer chance, I created this stunning pose with my fruit bowl. It captured such an incredible moment in time. I was taken back to London and the Courtauld Gallery with Paul Cezanne’s work. My ethereal display was so invoking of the beauty of fruit, I wept.

Although I haven’t taken the brush to the canvas yet, I share the display which captured my imagination. Maybe you can spend some time arranging your fruit and enjoying the calming sense of peace it delivers.

Decorations are completed…packages will be sent later today…Christmas card letter is in progress…haven’t done any baking yet. I might attempt this new recipe I found on Pinterest.

It looks doable and could provide a sense of accomplishment!

Watching this series like everyone else…wondering how the royal family feels about the whole Hollywood portrayal…totally understanding why Harry and Megan left England…thinking people probably believe all of this stuff…needing something else to do!!!!

Thus, going through my tiara collection and choosing one for the day. I guess I’ll be the Queen today. Someone has to?

My coral hoop earring is singing this one. “I once was lost, but now am found.”

An interesting, albeit unsurprising fact, is that I have lost many earrings over the years. There was the green glass heart earring from Italy which went astray at Barnes and Noble. I checked back there for a couple of years to see if anyone had found it. A wonderful green earring from India resides in the front meadow, lost after a mowing episode. Former neighbors have another earring in their backyard, green in color, unknown origin. One of my neighbors has me searching the ground for her lost earring after the wedding reception we held here.

There are many, many more victims, of course, but the loss of an earring which wasn’t green in color, was disheartening. Of course, it became unhinged whipping that mask on and off. And who in their right mind would wear hoop earrings with a mask, thus creating this constant problem?

Lost at some point yesterday afternoon in my travels, it was found upon disrobing last night. Thank goodness I chose to wear supportive undergarments! Now I can keep wearing my hoop earrings.

My Christmas tree is decorated – thanks to my daughter’s nudging and encouragement, and her actually doing the job. However, I claim responsibility for the ornaments.

Since we haven’t been hosting parties, my martini glasses and other stemware have seen no action. And they’re so pretty! Thus, a little ribbon and creativity, and voila!

My ornaments merely reflect the upside-down year we’ve had.