Relax and enjoy! That's the spirit for the rest of the holiday season. Fort Worth is one of my favorite places to indulge the holiday senses. I love Sundance Square with all the festive decorations and the lights at night. This year construction is all around the cental square and the TREE...oh the poor treeee! Rumor has it that some damage delayed it's arrival, then efforts to "repair" it left gaps not evident at night. During the day, the big bare places show and now those dismembered, reattached branches are dying. Oh dear! I just cannot bear to look!
We'll go east to the other side of the metroplex today to indulge a bit of Christmas spirit with daughter and her family. Son and Daughter-in-Law made the trek North with us last night. Traffic was awful but no road rage was erupting from either of our vehicles. The trip may have taken an extra hour but we were none the worse for it. Calm...that's the mood for this season. Yep, we'll just relax and enjoy!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Chance?
I suppose it's time to go to "page 2" of the Mayan calendar. One could wonder if that second page is hidden in the depths of a lost cave, perhaps along with the third and subsequent pages. I've laughed and often been horrified at the serious speculative planning for the "end of the world". My favorite comparison was a side by side photo of the calendar and an Oreo cookie. Some clever soul determined that the Oreo stamping instructed us to Be Happy, Don't Worry...or You have nothing to fear. My family has always suffered a fondness for this simple cookie. It's been a difficult month and focusing on the ridiculous has provided a bridge over the hectic painful days.
Dysfunction as a normal state is not pleasant. Awful events in the news, plans at home seeming to run awry daily, items ordered and lost in transit, treasures stored so well as never to be found and a general feeling of unrest have dampened my joy. Christmas decorations are displayed and outdoor lights are hung around the eaves of the house. It looks festive, but under it all lies chaos.
Yesterday I strolled into a coffee shop in the neighborhood and was greeted warmly by the proprietor. She whipped up my order with a smile and a bit of lively conversation. I left with my warm latte and scone feeling much lighter. The remainder of the day progressed smoothly and all my planned errands were completed easily.
This morning the urge to repeat the treat to my tastebuds was strong. The barista greeted me with a smile and asked if I'd like my same order repeated. She called each customer coming in by name and offered to whip up their usual morning beverage. As she chattered away and produced wonderful aromas I talked with other customers. It's a happening place and my sense of comfort seemed to be shared by those awaiting their order.
Next stop was the post office where I was told my long lost package was on the carriers delivery today. Oh glory be! A call from Ol' Abner confirmed the delivery of the package as I pulled out of the parking lot. The package had been damaged and rewrapped. My heart sank. Back home, I looked at the shambles of the wrapping. Strangely, none of the contents evidenced a trace of damage. Relieved, no...thrilled at this twist, I headed for the mall to finish my last bit of shopping. A full parking lot with cars circling frantically for an empty berth would normally be reason enough to turn around and go home. I drove the first row of cars slowly almost passing a car backing out. My car was just far enough to need to reverse if I wanted the parking spot. Another car was a distance behind that I could have forced the issue, but for some reason I felt like being polite. I smiled as she waved after I moved forward allowing her to park. A lady with a load of shopping bags met me at the end of the lane and motioned to me. She told me she was about to leave and if I would circle around she would wait to get in her car until I could return. My benefactor had provided me with a spot at the end of the row directly in front of the store entrance. Every crowded store had an open cashier just as I approached with my purchases. Two items on my list were the last on the shelf when I arrived to collect them.
I may stop in for another latte tomorrow!
Dysfunction as a normal state is not pleasant. Awful events in the news, plans at home seeming to run awry daily, items ordered and lost in transit, treasures stored so well as never to be found and a general feeling of unrest have dampened my joy. Christmas decorations are displayed and outdoor lights are hung around the eaves of the house. It looks festive, but under it all lies chaos.
Yesterday I strolled into a coffee shop in the neighborhood and was greeted warmly by the proprietor. She whipped up my order with a smile and a bit of lively conversation. I left with my warm latte and scone feeling much lighter. The remainder of the day progressed smoothly and all my planned errands were completed easily.
This morning the urge to repeat the treat to my tastebuds was strong. The barista greeted me with a smile and asked if I'd like my same order repeated. She called each customer coming in by name and offered to whip up their usual morning beverage. As she chattered away and produced wonderful aromas I talked with other customers. It's a happening place and my sense of comfort seemed to be shared by those awaiting their order.
Next stop was the post office where I was told my long lost package was on the carriers delivery today. Oh glory be! A call from Ol' Abner confirmed the delivery of the package as I pulled out of the parking lot. The package had been damaged and rewrapped. My heart sank. Back home, I looked at the shambles of the wrapping. Strangely, none of the contents evidenced a trace of damage. Relieved, no...thrilled at this twist, I headed for the mall to finish my last bit of shopping. A full parking lot with cars circling frantically for an empty berth would normally be reason enough to turn around and go home. I drove the first row of cars slowly almost passing a car backing out. My car was just far enough to need to reverse if I wanted the parking spot. Another car was a distance behind that I could have forced the issue, but for some reason I felt like being polite. I smiled as she waved after I moved forward allowing her to park. A lady with a load of shopping bags met me at the end of the lane and motioned to me. She told me she was about to leave and if I would circle around she would wait to get in her car until I could return. My benefactor had provided me with a spot at the end of the row directly in front of the store entrance. Every crowded store had an open cashier just as I approached with my purchases. Two items on my list were the last on the shelf when I arrived to collect them.
I may stop in for another latte tomorrow!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Winter of Life
I always love the winter holidays. From the candy dispensing of Halloween, on to the feasting in November, followed by the National Day of Shopping. By the first week of December, I'm filled with spirit and joy and ready to hang the garlands and drape the tree. Addressing Christmas cards by hand and including little personal missives makes me feel like I'm visiting with friends and relatives not seen in years. Oh yes, this is a joyful time of year and I'm not anxious to see it over. We'll soon celebrate Christmas, plan to ring in the New Year, then love a little Valentine treat. I'll be ready to start looking forward to spring!
Throughout the year, we remember birthdays that arrive during all seasons. Just before we arrived at winter, Ol' Abner's mother marked her 85th birthday. She was in "Memory Lane", the Alzheimer's unit of a nursing home. We tried to have flowers delivered to her, but were told that leaving them in the room was not allowed as some of her "guests" often ate anything colorful. A telephone conversation was very unsatisfying as she had difficulty talking. Her breath was ragged and I could barely hear her whispered words. She seemed to be in pain. This would be her last birthday. Our niece notified us that it was time to move her to hospice when she was hospitalized in respiratory distress. We visited on Saturday, and said our goodbyes. It was clear that life was slipping from her. On Sunday, with two of her granddaughters and her eldest grandson present, she quietly passed away.
Ol' Abner was her firstborn and by law is responsible for final decisions. Unwilling to make decisions alone, he proceeded to try to reach his three younger brothers. The oldest granddaughter had been the primary caretaker for the last three years and he was so grateful for her input as he completed paperwork and gave necessary permissions. She and the oldest grandson took charge of planning the memorial service. I helped with calls to other family members.
Memories of many years have been revisited by telephone these last few days. We will honor her life with a celebration this weekend. I will rearrange the results of the Christmas decorating to dig through some boxes and albums to find pictures of the feisty little woman who gave birth to the love of my life.
Throughout the year, we remember birthdays that arrive during all seasons. Just before we arrived at winter, Ol' Abner's mother marked her 85th birthday. She was in "Memory Lane", the Alzheimer's unit of a nursing home. We tried to have flowers delivered to her, but were told that leaving them in the room was not allowed as some of her "guests" often ate anything colorful. A telephone conversation was very unsatisfying as she had difficulty talking. Her breath was ragged and I could barely hear her whispered words. She seemed to be in pain. This would be her last birthday. Our niece notified us that it was time to move her to hospice when she was hospitalized in respiratory distress. We visited on Saturday, and said our goodbyes. It was clear that life was slipping from her. On Sunday, with two of her granddaughters and her eldest grandson present, she quietly passed away.
Ol' Abner was her firstborn and by law is responsible for final decisions. Unwilling to make decisions alone, he proceeded to try to reach his three younger brothers. The oldest granddaughter had been the primary caretaker for the last three years and he was so grateful for her input as he completed paperwork and gave necessary permissions. She and the oldest grandson took charge of planning the memorial service. I helped with calls to other family members.
Memories of many years have been revisited by telephone these last few days. We will honor her life with a celebration this weekend. I will rearrange the results of the Christmas decorating to dig through some boxes and albums to find pictures of the feisty little woman who gave birth to the love of my life.
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