A Quiet Birthday

The rainy season has descended upon northern California. It's about time, too. November was mild, gorgeous and moisture-free, a repeat performance of beautiful October in these parts. Mid-December brought us temperatures of degrees in the high twenties that reminded me of mornings back in New Jersey. Frosty mornings, crunchy lawns, scraping ice off wind shields and temperatures rising to no higher than 50 degrees during the day felt quite chilly to me. After living in California for over 29 years my internal thermostat has changed radically. Fifty degrees in a New Jersey winter would be cause to drag tee shirts and shorts from summer storage--almost. I've become quite thin-skinned over the years. These days, I freeze to death while shopping at the local Safeway year round. Admittedly, it feels good when the temperature outside hovers around the 100 degrees mark but I digress.

Today is my husband's 55th birthday. This blows me away because he was about a month shy from turning 19 when we began our relationship. We're not doing anything terribly special to celebrate. A birthday two days after Christmas is not the best time and more often than not, my darling dear gets sick just in time for Christmas and his special day. This year is no exception. He's been in far worse shape in previous years, however, so relatively speaking, he's doing okay. It's been a soggy day outside and a cozy, lazy day within. We've been enjoying a nice fire, reading and recovering from the Christmas swirl of parties, merriment and lack of sleep. Miraculously, I got Christmas Day and the following two days off from work. My husband called in sick to his work today and wisely so. I took the Christmas tree apart in the afternoon because it was literally raining needles. For the first time in our lives, it crossed our minds--fleetingly--that an artificial tree might not be such a bad thing after all. Merely thinking such a thought is sacrilege in my house and it was only a fleeting thought but...

I prepared a birthday dinner (with husband's help because he couldn't stay away from the kitchen helping with dinner if his life depended upon it) of Cornish game hens, stuffing, gravy and asparagus. It all turned out beautifully and the truth of the matter is that my husband has evolved into a superior cook and I often think some great, deceased chef has taken over my husband's cooking abilities...yes, he's that good! Back in the days when we were young and carefree and never gave a thought to what kind of food we ingested, I always made a German chocolate cake from scratch for his birthday. Ah, how time alters that which we ate in a blissful, guilt-free state. This year I made him a sugar-free, trans fat free, cholesterol free pumpkin pie. Are we getting old, or what?! It was good though and one does what one must.

It's back to work for the both of us tomorrow morning as we wend our way towards the end of this year. I wonder what the new year will hold for us, our family and beautiful planet Earth in general? I can think of lots of wishes I'd like to see come true. It will be here soon enough and time will tell.

Haven't Played in a Long Time

http://patricksweekender.blogspot.com/

1. Which of the following generally costs you more: a normal trip to your barber/hairstylist, your usual lunch at your favorite restaurant, the most recent amount you paid to fill up your gas tank, or your biggest single contribution to a single charity in 2005?  A normal trip to my hairstylist; cut plus tip

2. What drink -- alcoholic or not -- do you drink entirely too much of?  Wine, particularly red

3. Did you receive a Christmas card from anyone you didn't send one to?  Alas, yes  Did you send them a belated card in return?  Alas, no

4. Take this quiz (if you haven't already!): What is most important in your life?

Love is most important in your life.


A high love concentration indicates that you want love in your life. It is very important to you and something that you strive to attain.

5. Before taking the quiz, which of its categories (career, love, money, health, family or fun) would you have said would be your answer?  Love

6. Do you believe in soulmates?  Yes  Do you think that there are at least one out there for every person, that there is a single "true" soulmate for every person, or that there aren't soulmates for everyone?  I believe there is more than just one soulmate for each of us.  Some people are not blessed with finding even one.  They're out there somewhere but you have to cross paths at the right time.

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Sounds of Christmas

"How can you and Dad stand listening to Christmas music day after day?" my son asked recently. "They're the same songs over and over again." My answer was simply, "because I love to hear them." He's right, of course. Christmas music is repetitive and predictable and there lie the secrets to their enjoyment. The are the same; unaltered and constant and I look forward to hearing them all over again at the end of each year. They are so familiar to me that listening and singing along to them gives me great comfort and a source of continuity of Christmases past and present.

The key element to appreciating carols and holiday songs is knowing the words. I have been part of choral groups on and off ever since the fourth grade. I've sung in many Christmas concerts and practiced hundreds of carols again and again. They are indelibly ingrained in my cerebral folds. My son has never been in any singing group. We do not attend church where seasonal hymns are sung at Christmas. He never learned any carols or holiday songs at school either. God forbid he should learn a Christmas song there! How quickly times change; school was where I learned all my Christmas music.

As my mother did before me, I start playing Christmas music in our house on December 1st. I suppose my son has been listening to these songs for so long that he hears them but doesn't really listen to them and probably tunes them out for the most part. For the first 42 years of my life, my family gathered around the piano to sing songs before or after dinner (sometimes both) on Christmas Day. My mother sat herself down in front of our old upright and played one song after another. This wonderful, much looked forward to custom died ten years ago when she did. No one else in the family plays and we haven't sung together since. My son was only seven then and just beginning to be part of this joyous, good-natured raising of voices. This was one of my favorite parts of Christmas and I've missed it a great deal.

Christmas is a time to envelope and cherish one's family. It's a time for special meals, fancy desserts and gifts from the heart; an opportunity to let everyone in the family know how much they are loved. I have always loved Christmas and married a man whose enjoyment of the season transcends mine. I don't believe Christmas is just for children. I enjoy gift giving and receiving as much now as I ever did as a child. Do presents, Christmas trees, glitterydecorations and perhaps eating and drinking a bit more than usual have anything to do with the birth of Jesus? No, they don't but all these things are very much parts of a whole of what is still important to me to continue to experience and celebrate the Christmases I knew and loved as a child. I realize, of course, one has to be blessed with happy memories of past Christmases to feel this way and I have been. The holiday is more of a familial experience for me than a religous one. Is that so terrible? I think not.

Welcome Christmas! Bring your cheer!
Cheer to all who's far and near!
Christmas Day is in our grasp!
So long as we have hands to clasp!
Christmas Day will always be!
Just as long as we have we!

"WELCOME CHRISTMAS" Dr. Seuss and Albert Hague

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I send you my wishes for a happy and healthy new year.

 

 

Oh, So Very Thankful!

For the first time in over 20 years, the Thanksgiving feast won't be devoured at my house. For almost all of those years my husband and I have singlehandedly planned, purchased, baked, chopped, mashed and roasted the entire meal for as few as nine (this happened once) and as many as 26 people. Over the years our guests have always volunteered to bring a dish to help lessen our load but it's been only recently that my husband agreed--at my insistance--that some help would be most welcome. True, the items offered may not taste exactly the same as we make them but there comes a time when one needs to recognize the need for help and accept it. That time had long since passed and thank God my darling husband finally came to his senses.

I know our Thanksgiving feasts have been very popular, much enjoyed and happily anticipated by my family. For the last couple of years, we've hinted in a not so subtle way that we were ready for a break and wouldn't someone else like to host this holiday dinner? This was the moment when the clinking of silverware against fine china and the general atmosphere of bonhommie came to a crashing halt; however, no one spoke up to volunteer. The gaiety resumed, the subject was dropped...or ignored...and that was that. I believe we were trying to generate some interest among the younger generation of our family. You know. I'm referring to all those people who used to be relegated to the 'kid's table" but have long since grown up into adults ranging in age from 26 to 30.

The ball of indecision about who was going to do Thanksgiving this year rolled about aimlessly for some time before my daughter and son-in-law picked it up and announced Thanksgiving would be celebrated at their home this year. Hallelujah!  I feel as though the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. It is for these two wonderful people I feel most thankful this Thanksgiving.

I originally intended this to be my contribution to the current Weekend Assignment.  That, however, asks for an entry about someone we're thankful for who won't be with us this Thanksgiving.  Sure, I could've written volumes about very special people who are no longer of this earth for whom I'm extremely thankful and love dearly.  I wanted to go in this direction this time so this entry will stay right here.  Thank you my darling daughter and dear son-in law.  I am looking forward to this Thanksgiving so very much!

"Survey Like None-Other!"

Well now.  Journal Land is in an uproar and aside from all the obvious annoyances and indignities, I really miss the question/answer games I've come to look forward to during the week that disappeared overnight because everyone is so angry.  Thanks to Tina, http://journals.aol.com/onemoretina/Ridealongwithme/ I found something to fill a Major Gap in my journal, such as it is at the present time.  I want to post something and my problem lately has been lack of time, inspiration and a sparkle in general to produce anything so this will have to suffice.

The goal is to have this in every single AOL Journal. What do you have in common with others? Do you like the same things? Post this and put the title of your entry "Survey Like None-Other!"  This is a great way to introduce yourself to new readers!  

1. What sign are you?  Leo

2. What is your favorite color?  Green

3. How many waffles could you eat in one sitting?  One

4. Can you touch your tongue to your nose?   No

5. If you had to choose between cats and dogs, which would it be?  At this time of my life, a cat.

6. What is something you have learned recently?  That I'm doing well in my new job and need to stretch myself to learn more.

7. What is your favorite quote?  Check out my profile, it's there. 

8. What is your favorite entry in your own journal?  Too many to mention.

9. What color is your bedroom?  Powder Blue (not my choice) and I just haven't gotten around to changing it.

10. Where is your favorite place to visit?  The Springs.  For more details, check out my other journal http://journals.aol.com/springsnymph/MusingsofaNaturist/

11. What is one thing you want to accomplish this year?  To officially achieve Menopause...I think I'm going to make it.

12. Why do you write in a journal?  I love to write, it's a great catharsis.  It's an excellent format to record memories.  I enjoy the interaction/comments/feedback from others.  I wanted a hobby and this option presented itself at the right time and a hundred more reasons.

13. What is your favorite joke?  These two Irishmen left a bar... it could happen.  I love jokes; I'm a terrible joke teller and don't even try.  If I do try to tell a joke, I always mess up the punchline.  I'm married to an Irishman and he is a master joke teller.  I'm a great audience and, therefore, we are a perfect match! 

14. Do you like the city or the country?  Country

15. What style is your house decorated?  Early American Attic

16. Who is your favorite artist?  It's getting late and I need to go to bed.  I have several but if you really want to know, start reading my journal, get to know me and then we'll talk.  I'm very fond of Maxfield Parrish, I enjoy Dali and well, there's many more.

17. Can you pat your tummy and rub your head at the same time? Yes

18. Are you a night owl?  If I lived alone, yes...I would be.

19. What is something you love in your house? (If you have a picture you get extra credit!)  My family and my beautiful cat.

20. Do you believe in God?  I believe in a Supreme Being

21. What hobby could you never give up?  Never say never

22. What color makes you think of Hope?  White

23. What color makes you think of Love?  Red

24. What is your favorite flower?  I have a lot but I love daffodils and pansies.

25. If you had one wish for the world, what would it be?  Peace it is.  Can't we all just get along?

26. Whats the best surprise you have ever received?  A visit from a friend.  (and I don't know why I couldn't get rid of the underline.)

27. What can you cook like no-one else?  Too many things to mention.

28. What do you think about most?  My world.

29. Who is your favorite poet?  Don't have one.

30. And last but not least, if you could wrap yourself up in one word...what would  that word be?  Luscious.

 

Sunday Seven - Episode 11

Ever thought of changing careers?  This week's "Sunday Seven" will show you the Top 25 jobs for 2005, as defined by Fast Company. 

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Of the Top 25 Jobs for 2005, list, in order, the seven jobs you'd least like to have, with #1 being the job you think you'd absolutely hate the most.  All seven should be jobs you wouldn't want.

1.  Actuary

2.  Financial Mgr.

3.  Management Analyst

4.  Personal finance director

5.  Securities Sales Agent

6.  Postsecondary education administrator

7.  Airline pilot, copilot and flight engineer

Hmmm...I think I detect a distinct theme of dislike here; not that I ever for one fraction of a second of my life entertained the idea of doing any of the above-mentioned jobs.

Saturday Six - Episode 83

http://journals.aol.com/pattboy92/PatricksPlace/entries/1341

1. You are invited to spend a night, alone, in a large house that is believed to be haunted. A close friend of yours whom you trust tells you of his or her own experience, and you have sufficient reason to believe that there may be a genuine haunting going on there. Without promise of any kind of reward for staying the night, would you agree to do so? If a select group could join me to keep me company and I would be free to leave at any time, I would agree.

2. What do you most enjoy about your job? I work at a very large lifecare, adult community. During the morning hours I deliver medication to many residents at their homes. This takes me about 1 hour and 45 minutes depending upon how my morning goes. I enjoy being outside and walking from place to place at my own pace which I am free to do.

3. Who was the last person you had a conversation with? My husband What was the main topic of the conversation? The sky and the beautiful sunset before us as we were driving home from spending the day with friends. It was spectacular.

4. Take this quiz: What kind of "smart" are you?

All-Around Smart

You are all-around smart. Essentially, that means that you are a good combination of your own knowledge and experience, along with having learned through instruction - and you are equally as good with theoretical things as you are with real-world, applied things. You have a well-rounded brain.


5. What was the last food that you totally ruined -- to the point that it was inedible -- when trying to cook? I had to consult my husband on this one and all he could come up with was something I made long ago as an experiment which, evidently, tasted so bad we threw it out. Neither of us can remember exactly what it was but I don't think it was because I ruined it. My track record, cooking-wise, is pretty good.

6. STRANGELY-OBSCURE QUESTION #1: If you had to do over again, would you change anything? I don't think so. I don't dwell on "what might've been" because I believe very strongly that things happen for very good reasons.