It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

The beginning of anything signals the opportunity to get rid of the old. Thus, I am cleaning the refrigerator today, and of course, the fine cuisine of our leftovers will garner a place at the table. In the spirit of the new year we shall not waste, yet not hold on to the things that must go.

Years ago I wrote an amusing piece for a little known publication – the school newsletter. I offer this excerpt, simple in its thought.

”The Refrigerator as LIFE”

I was sifting through my refrigerator and came up with this highly intellectual analogy. “Life is like the refrigerator…”

Look at your fridge. (Life.) There is some stuff sitting in there that just plain needs to be tossed out! It is old, you’ve been hanging on to it for a while, it stinks, and it serves no purpose. There is some stuff in that fridge of your life that has a long shelf-life and is valuable once in a while…some stuff can be used right away and is handy to have in a pinch. (Refrigerated “sense of humor” and “flexibility.”). Some of the things in our refrigerators are unhealthy and should be tossed promptly. (Refrigerated “negativism.”) Some things are healthy and we need to use or buy more of. (Friendships.)

What is in your refrigerator that is moldy, waiting to be used and never will be, being held “just in case,” or really good and should be used now? The greatest thing about the fridge (life) is that you can toss out the worthless, make use of the current items and create great dishes, mix and test ingredients, create new recipes. Possibilities!

Yada, yada, yada. You can see my style has changed a tad over the years, yet I still remember that silly analogy from 23 years ago. Perhaps I should take my own advice and toss this article, clean out the files of yesteryear?

One day at a time. The refrigerator is first. Happy 2025!

Only two days left to consume the rest of these treats. Yes, they are cheap and rather crappy, and I love them. My daughter remembered this year.

I used to hide them so no one else could swipe one, until I realized no one else really likes them that much. Notice how they “may contain pits or pit fragments.” They are truly the best in fine chocolate.

However, the new year and continued resolution to decrease that sugar intake looms. Thus, today’s diet will include about four of these cordials. They do complement the coffee quite well.

It hardly seems like winter with the squirrel out there munching on the buds of the pear tree and the furnace not kicking in because it’s so warm. Thus, I am staring at the Christmas tree and tempted to take it down on this fine, balmy day.

When my mom was still around, it was impossible for her to bring the artificial tree up from the basement and stand on a ladder to decorate it. My brother and his wife often did that. However, as soon as Christmas dinner was finished and the festivities over, we swiftly disassembled that tree for her, making a game of it.

We would form a “bucket brigade” with one of us throwing the ornaments to a kid to put in the bin. It was efficient and fun, and nary an ornament suffered. It is quite tempting to begin that process as I bask in the warmth of a December day, dreading the continuation of watering trees. There is no bucket brigade here to help me – which might make things go faster?

Alas, I’ll continue the Christmas season and await the Kings arrival before I dismantle things. Maybe by then we’ll have some moisture from Mother Nature?

For many years, many, many years, my spouse would sleep on the floor in front of the fireplace with the kids, trying to catch Santa. Santa showed up around 2:00 a.m., after she had spent a few hours at church singing for Midnight Mass. Santa was tired.

Much to Santa’s dismay, the very first year of this “tradition,” a little pipsqueak woke from a dead sleep to query, “Mom, is that you?” “Go to sleep.” “Mom?” “We’ll talk in the morning.”

Morning came and that little girl remembered all too well and Santa had to think on her feet, hoping to keep some semblance of belief in a generous and goodly fat old man for at least a few more years. Santa was still awfully tired.

”Yes, it was me.” A few moments of silence. “Does that mean you are the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, too?”

Sigh. “Yes. But now do you know what that means? YOU are now the Easter Bunny and Santa’s helper. You can’t say anything to your brother!”

There must have been some delight in that response as my daughter took that task to heart for many years. Also, Santa learned to run a fan on Christmas Eve, drowning the noise of her clomping down the stairs and placing crinkly wrapped packages on the fireplace.

Sending Christmas smiles and joy to you and your families!

There were five errands on my list, and I wanted an early start. I dreaded my trip to the local mall, however, I was first in line at both stores I needed to visit! I was also first in line at the McDonald’s where I consumed an ice cream cone for my breakfast dessert. Somehow shopping and ice cream go hand in hand – thanks, Mom!

Most everything on the list has been accomplished. I’m back to watering trees…a Christmas tradition it seems. Three presents to wrap, and then voila!

Wishing you serenity as you prepare to welcome the Lord.

The temps are 65 degrees, buds are on the trees.
I feel the need to water all I’ve planted in degrees. 

Personally, I hate it!  Why is it so warm?
Reminds me of my college days, too hot in the dorm!  

Alas, I do my duty, cherishing the earth, 
doing my best to spread the joy…and substantial mirth.  (Obviously!)

I truly wish it would snow!  I hate this brown display.  
It’s Colorado and  December - what else  can I say?  

The star is falling off my tree, and half my lights are lit.
The wind destroyed my outdoor decor, it really took a hit.
A stack of Christmas cards awaits, perhaps to send next year?  
Though I could start addressing them, with perhaps a glass of cheer?

Alas, I’d rather write a poem, an ode to this crazy time.
It’s way more fun to sit and ponder, finding words to rhyme.
The cooking and that cleaning?  It can all be done tomorrow.
Oops!  I need some crockpots, I know just whose to borrow!

Maybe I’ll just make a list of what needs to be done,
It will feel productive and sounds like much more fun. 
Christmas nears and so do fears that I will miss a beat.
It’s time to focus on the peace, let worries take a back seat.

And so I’ll put my jammies on, watch the football game.
Take a break and check my mail, just do something lame.
In the end it all works out, on that my hope depends!
Of course, I couldn’t do it without the help of family and friends.

Apparently there were drones flying all around us, as well as the annual world-wide Santa-thon happening right in the heart of the city. Thousands of red figures supposedly blanketing the city. I guess we were too focused on watching where we stepped and avoiding Thoreau’s “mass of men.” It was a tad over-crowded this holiday season.

Imagine my disappointment upon returning when I read that Milan’s Via MonteNapoleone has claimed the title of the world’s most expensive retail destination? Here we went to NYC just to shop on Fifth Avenue, the now former world title holder. It rankles the nerves.

We have all alighted upon our separate abodes, luggage perhaps a little heavier than before, but not enough to set off alarms. The people we elbowed and followed like a raft of penguins crossing the ocean were all in good spirits, most laughing at the absolute absurdity of so many humans waiting in lines for bag checks at venues, restaurant reservations, banana pudding. It did give us a feeling of warmth being packed so tightly – literally. It was cold. Have I mentioned that before?

And then – I return to 50 degree plus weather – and the internal thermostat has to reregister. I’m like the pear trees. They shed all of their leaves a week ago in the cold, only to begin budding again yesterday. Thank you for the reversal, Mother Nature. I would have hated to have missed it!

Of course we wanted to have banana pudding at Magnolia Bakery, who wouldn’t? I was game for a bite to eat and a spot of tea. We had just enjoyed the MOMA and were ready to sit a bit, even if we had to wait in line outside of the famous bakery and enjoy more cheerful banter with the non-locals itching to eat some banana pudding, too.

”Stay out! You have to keep both doors closed until you can enter without holding one door open!” “Get in this line if you want banana pudding only. Order a drink here and then go in the banana pudding line and pay and then come back here.” I think the banana pudding lady enjoyed barking the same thing over and over, even though I helpfully suggested a sign would go far in maintaining her vocal health. Well, who wouldn’t feel welcome in such a fine establishment approximately six feet wide by 12 feet in length, accommodating two lanes of banana pudding traffic? Our crowning achievement was the request for water – at the cash register. The money girl sent us back in the pudding line to get water, offered for free. “Do we have water? Where?” “You have to put ice in the cup and then add the hot water, that’s all we have.”

We got our waters and left the pudding line for good, only to have to find an outdoor dining table. Al fresco in December in New York. How refreshing to sit on a cold metal chair while the Salvation Army Santa danced and played “Feliz Navidad” ad nauseum. We scarfed banana pudding and headed to our next cultural event, buoyed by the cheerful and thoughtful people at Magnolia Bakery.

Tonight the Addams Family dined by us in the corner of our Irish pub, and Severus Snape was the seating host. New York City is so interesting.

We are intent on spreading good cheer everywhere we go, and my niece is so good at thanking everyone we encounter. They are thrilled to be noticed! The guy cleaning the table, the person seating us in the theater, the ignorant pedestrian bumping into her…she is so polite and kind! Guess what? Everyone else responds likewise.

The city is filled with carbon copies of us…people here to enjoy the Christmas displays and shows, thus, people who are in good spirits. We are happily joking, making friends, inviting others to sit by us, in general, being decent human beings.

And even though this city never sleeps, we are desperately hoping to do that tonight. It takes a good amount of ambient noise to drown out the city sounds.

My app should do the trick! That and the beer I had at the performance this evening.