HLN is running a “West Wing” marathon this week. I don’t remember being reduced to tears so often when I watched it the first time. I’m older now and more sentimental. I now cry every time I hear Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” I believe everyone should watch it once a year.
And I think Donald Trump should be locked in a cell with it running 24/7 as a life sentence.
When I was a little girl, all we had was a Christmas tree. Nothing else. Not even a wreath on the door.
Later on, I wanted more. You know me. And Mother encouraged me.One year, blue and silver must have been in style because I remember that she and I changed out our multicolored lights and baubles to all blue and silver. I’m pretty sure Daddy just didn’t get it. His participation in Christmas decorating consisted of bringing home a tree and nailing a little cross of one-by-fours to the bottom to make it stand up.
We always had lots of magazines in the house. One year, “Better Homes and Gardens” started publishing a special holiday edition called “Christmas Ideas.” It cost a lot. $1.00 the first year and soon it went up to $1.25. This was very extravagant, but Mother indulged me.
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After that, the house was pretty much a mess with candle wax melting in a coffee can on the stove and flour paste sticking paper cutouts together.
I particularly remember making a big candle and when whipping up wax in the mixer until it was fluffy and covering the candle with it. It was supposed to look like snow.
Saw this year’s issue in Freddy’s the other day. I didn’t buy it. It is $12.00. I am not that extravagant.
You have to admit that Stewart Rhodes is a cool name. And that he looks like an action-movie/hero/thug. And then you find out, that besides being a seditious conspiracy felon, the reason he wears an eyepatch is because he shot himself in the face with his own gun. All righty then.
Several years ago, I made a conscious decision not to watch TV news. I do like to be informed, so I read several newspapers online.
But I actually have a certain pride in not knowing some things.
I have no idea what a kardashian is. Or who Taylor — or is it Tyler? — Swift is.
I do follow the NFL, but I have no interest in the players’ private lives. I know who Tom Brady is because he grew up in my neighborhood. I love Patrick Mahomes because he is my homie.
I don’t really remember what a cocktail is. I have some memory of frozen daiquiris and margaritas. I’m pretty sure it is a mixed alcoholic drink and that being able to offer them to visitors requires keeping an assortment of hard liquor in your pantry.
I grew up drinking nothing but iced tea and in recent years having people over for wine before going out to dinner.
With that, of course, one must offer charcuterie.
I can do that, but It seems a little silly to me. Lots of time required arranging things on a wooden thingy which looks a mess as soon as anyone dares to eat from it. I read this week charcuterie is what you serve up when you are out of bread.
I do enjoy soccer and beer, but I am sorry I couldn’t avoid learning this week the there is a strong connection between the two.
I think I am finally feeling some progress in regard to a very stupid thing I did a couple of weeks ago when I ended up cracking a couple of ribs.
Yesterday morning, Maria, the marketing employee who became my friend (She is everyone’s friend.) came to 2086 for a visit and to see how everything is coming along here. She is such a treasure and is so much fun.
In the afternoon, our resident MacGuy volunteer stopped by to figure out why all of a sudden, my MacBook could not “find” my printer.
I had too many ripe bananas the day before, so I made muffins and gave some to Maria and some to John. I have always wondered just why we feel we cannot waste ripe bananas.
It was a beautiful, sunny day, so I had a visit with Barb on her front porch before walking down to pick up my take-away dinner. I think it was my favorite dinner so far — BBQ ribs and scalloped corn.
Barb is leaving for road trip with her daughter to the redwoods. And yes. I am jealous.
Judith will be here for a walk and lunch today.
And then I sort of fell into having six people here for a glass of wine before walking down for dinner in the Magnolia Room. I actually sort of know a couple of these people.
It’s also the evening when staff’s kids and residents’ great-grand kids come through trick or treating. I’ll mostly be out for dinner when they come, so I’ll set my basket out front. I have it at the ready:
Also my costume:
So basically all is good. On one level, I am as happy as I seem. I do love my tiny house. It is filled with my favorite things and is very charming and comfortable, and everything at CM is very convenient.
Yet, to be truthful with you, my safe cohort, I will admit that there is a place in my heart where I am homesick. Not especially for 1880 and my trees and neighborhood, but actually because I have graduated to another phase of my life and left the last one behind.
I am remembering this feeling from when I graduated from high school and I realized that we would never be together again, or in those hallways or the band room.
I know all of you have had to move when you didn’t want to, so you get it. But I see you carrying on and looking to the future with optimism. I am very proud of you — and actually of myself too!
HLN is running a “West Wing” marathon this week. I don’t remember being reduced to tears so often when I watched it the first time. I’m older now and more sentimental. I now cry every time I hear Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” I believe everyone should watch it once a year.
And I think Donald Trump should be locked in a cell with it running 24/7 as a life sentence.
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