We're just past Christmas, and what have I Done?

Memories assault us at Christmas, and the current year never seems to be as good as Christmas Past. I tried to honor those memories; I baked my mother's sweets, and other things, starting before Thanksgiving. Decorated sugar cookies, spanakopita, baklava, chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies. I took out ornaments out of starte from my grandmother's including a turkey family I painted, and home made ornamednts of tinsel, cloth, and bits of glass. I found a few things I did when I was eleven. Each year, I sitll send cards; this year, I sent a couple to old friends I'd not heard from in years, but who are close to my heart. Occasionally, I get a card or letter from someone I haven't heard from, and this is better than a present to me.

Record snow, injuries and illness stopped me from hitting all the after Xmas sales; of course, everyone starts before the holiday, even holding Xmas sales in some places at Halloween. I tried to paint and make a few ornaments, another tradition. Whenever possible, I listened to or played on the piano, Christmas songs and carols, espeically the Harry Simeone version of The Little Drummer boy. During our California Christmases, we may have had roses blooming, but the house smelled wonderful from all the baking going on, and the air was filled with carols, traditional carols, my all time favorites. 2024 has begun with crippling snow, and the usual sadness created by those we love dying before their time. I go into a kind of hibernation till late August brings the promise of turning leaves, cool crisp air, and hte rpomise of The Holidays.