I have an approach to family holiday gifting and follow my own model every year. There is always one big gift and a bunch of small ones. There is usually something playful and very often a gadget or two. This year, everyone was gifted a set of herb scissors and an electronic measuring scoop. Seemed fun for my foodie children.We have also started leaning into experience gifting. Tickets to a show or a concert are always a hit.Then there are the staples – socks, dreidels and chocolate.What is your gifting model?
My very close friend’s daughter got married last Friday. It was a Friday afternoon reception in a beer garden/hall in Staten Island. I had no idea, at all, what to wear. Another friend of mine lent me two beautiful dresses. I tried them both on but felt that they were a bit too dressy for the venue. I looked into my closet and found a classic style dress that I have had for, at least, fifteen years. I tried it on and sent a picture of me wearing it to my biggest fashion critics, my daughters. They both pronounced it as “perfect.”
In advance of celebrating each New Year, my blog traditionally shares my verified (meaning all the links work) Songs to Ring In The New Year playlist to herald New Year’s eve. In the process of re-checking all the links on YouTube (32 songs) and updating two links there I noticed the list now approaches a dozen years. Time does fly.
Christmas morning used to start by searching for batteries so the toys and gifts could work right away. Now, most electrified presents are quiet at first. They need to be plugged in with a USB cable and charged before they can be used. So we sit and wait while the devices power up, learning that some fun doesn’t happen instantly anymore with all of the phones, games, and toys sitting together by the outlets. Christmas is still exciting, but it has changed a little. The fun is still there, it just takes a bit of patience before it begins.
I have kept a diary/journal since 1/1/70 and, somewhere along the way, added a "Year in Review" entry. Such entry is mostly comprised with personal highlights and lowlights, with a few earth shaking world events spiced in for the sake of history. As I began the year end process I thought "That's a blog subject" and here it is: On balance 2025 was a good year, as I fight the good fight against aging and irrelevance. My shining light is my mantra "It's better to give than receive and what goes around comes around"!Happy happy NewYear!
This is the season of traditions. Visiting, gifts, acknowledgement of thanks.We have a Christmas Cactus. It is nature’s embodiment of tradition. Always flowers at this time of year. Nature’s tradition.Let us enjoy the traditions of this season — whatever they may be.
It's that tim o f year again. In the hustle and hustle, I forgot to post earlier today. My apologies to all. Like so many others, I am ttraveling to be with famiy.The trip here was uneventful for a change. The weather here in my home town of Amarillo is unreasonably warm. I understand New York is looking forward to some snow in my absence! Regardless, I hope all who are celebrating, regardless of which holiday are full of lover aND ldaughter. Cheers!
It is that time of year when my house is full. The children come home and the house gets chaotic in a melodic sort of way. Lots of activity, coming and going, laughter, food and family. This is, simply, my happy place. In recent years, my happy place has expanded to include extended visits with Hudson, our grand puppy. Hudson is a beautiful, loving, anxious, and sweet 4-year-old chocolate labrador mix.