A quiet Christmas is fading into daily living once again. We didn't lose our power during the cold winter blast but we are always thankful to have the generator as back up. Our electric bill will be through the roof but thankful we will be able to pay it. I enjoyed the week of not preparing a Sunday School lesson but this morning I am anxious to begin the process for this coming Sunday. Last week held a few projects to take care of and the smallish projects are done. Those were the ones bugging me the most.
We didn't make it to the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services at church. The cold temps were the biggest hindrance, although Sunday morning was probably more do-able. The quiet Christmas theme prevailed as we read the Christmas story and pondered these Christmas words. I watched the original Miracle on 34th Street for the hundredth time but came away with some spiritual insights that I had never noticed before. It seems the quieting down has been restorative this season. Although, we live a rather quiet life most of the time. An article about the holidays, our state in particular, mentioned the population is one of the fastest growing state populations. It is a beautiful state with different landscapes, diverse cultures and history. The quiet season for the mountains will be happening soon, where local businesses close for days, weeks and sometimes months at a time. If someone comes for a winter visit, it is always good to check and see what is open during this dormant season. If we let it, we are reminded that rest and quietness is needed, a lot for some and a little for others.
The state of the economy, big jump for me and unusual, really showed around the fall. Businesses and produce stands ended up giving away pumpkins before the end of October. Several Christmas tree businesses around here ended up giving away trees a week before Christmas Day. Lots of discounts, significant discounts happened sooner than later so that merchandise continues moving. Several newsletters have advised holding off on any big purchases until we see how things play out financially in the new year. Several articles on Google are talking about food shortages for 2023 because of weather related loss as well as the high price of fertilizer cost. This is the first year we haven't had our grass fertilized. Mike the Mower Man couldn't find much and what he found was super expensive.
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The temps got above freezing yesterday afternoon. A welcomed event for sure. The garage hotel will probably close down this afternoon and will reopen when the temps drop in a dangerous range again. We saw a few more of the cats taking advantage of the sunshine yesterday.
Another small project got checked on the list yesterday. In the midst of it, found some pictures of Christmases long ago and a few pics from Pageant days at First Baptist. For some reason, well I know the reason, we procrastinated on taking care of these little chores. When The Boys came into the house in June, getting them healthy and acclimated to living inside took a lot of time. Then came Willie and we have him out of the play pen and introducing him to the rest of the house.
I am almost finished with the non-fiction book I've been reading the past month. An interesting look at NYC, Mademoiselle magazine, women making their way out of small cities, and The Barbizon Hotel and the role that it played to make the way possible. The author looks at the famous college edition of Mademoiselle magazine and the college women chosen from all over the country for a month of internship there at the magazine. Several famous people, Grace Kelly, Sylvia Plath, Joan Didion lives during that time are looked at and the effect this experience had on their lives.
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I finished up the book last night. Very interesting read. One of the women of the 1953 group, who didn't fit the mold that the magazine was looking for became one of the more successful and famous of that group. A noted restaurant column in New York Magazine. Googled her up and she passed away in November of this year.
We have punted our plans for today until tomorrow. Fine with us, of course. We are rejoicing over the forecast of temps being in the 40s today with bounteous sunshine. Time to uncover those tender plants.
The mist is hanging around in the valleys and hollers this morning. Truly one of the most beautiful sights in the mountains. I think the neighbors across the way are getting thinned out since they are there most probably for tax reasons. It is a joy to watch them and check in on them everyday. Looks like the land work has been done and the house is being built on the smaller track of land.
Well the day awaits and although easing into the morning has been happy, it's time to get some stuff done.
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