Is it Just Me?

I don’t know about you but I can’t believe it’s November– the end of November, to be clear, and in 27 minutes it will be Christmas…it will just come that fast. Sweater weather came late this year, but there was no lack of Halloween or Christmas decor in the stores from the time the kids went back to school in August. Capitalism at its finest. Does this make people crazy (or just me), or do folks really enjoy gift shopping when it’s still bikini and speedo beach weather and 104 degrees?

Thanksgiving is seemingly a big deal here in the Americas – perhaps even bigger than Christmas – which to a die-hard Christmas fan, is almost sacrilegious, but like any good immigrant, I have adapted to the local customs and traditions of the land. With turkey shopping underway, finding the best recipe for brussel sprouts gentled covered with pecans and brown sugar, and college kids heading home to do their three months of laundry, I know the minute the clock strikes Black Friday, all the land will be jingling with “pantookas, dafflers and wuzzles.” And voila, “The Season” shall be upon us.

Back home in the motherland, Christmas Eve was always lovely, and it was really the only night of the year that I actually appreciated the white wonderland of my last few years living there. It was snowy and cold, and I was on a two week holiday, so I was perfectly happy to stay up late with my hot toddy, and reflect on life. The world, it seemed, for one night, was still. Every year after Mackenzie had gone to bed, and Santa came and went, I would stand by the window, and just for one quiet moment, close my eyes and wish the world was always that peaceful.

2024 has been a blur really. The B&B has been lovely with steady business and oh so many nice folks came to stay this year. If I think back to January, I can’t really remember much about the beginning of the year till at least May, other than we had a whole lot of rain and too many cloudy days and I read a whole lotta books. Once the heat of June came I was off to the pool and happy as a clam and the gloom of the spring long forgotten.

I assume my no memory means I am getting older and they say the first thing to go is one’s mind.

Notable achievements this year was saying goodbye to the handyman, having to buy a new AC unit as old faithful decidedly gave up on freon and cold air, and then most recently the cast iron pipes that I had paid handsomely to be replaced (and was told they did in fact replace…) when I bought the B&B, you know, the ones that carry all the good sewage under the house– fell apart. Apparently this particular company just charges to replace but doesn’t in fact do the work.

So I could happily share with you which company not to hire and the name of a good lawyer, but I would rather send a shout out to the wonderful crew at Clear Water Plumbing on Boat Club Rd, who came to the rescue of my plight. Those boys spent an entire week under my house in the 25 foot tunnel dug by three lovely souls who played their mariachi music, and whistled while they worked.

So for a week in October there was a barrage of plumbers and excavators digging and chipping, buzzing and sawing underneath my house. I too, for snorts and giggles crawled under the house into the tunnel just to see what all that looked like. Nary a snake in sight so that also helped my bravery in the underworld. I did think the tunnel was impressive. Hats off to that profession, most notably Bryson, Issac, and Tim (AKA ZZ Top). So I think my best next move is to start figuring out how to date a plumber.

I also was introduced to the health care system with a nasal surgery with a spiffy ENT surgeon named Monty Trimble, and now like millions of other Americans I know what it feels like to see medical bills in the mail. We are not in Canada any longer Dorothy…. No free health care here. But dang I can breathe like a champion now.

So a few surprises to finish off the year, but my gratitude gauge remains optimistically and continuously high. I love the Season of Christmas and there is not much that can get me down for the month of December. I love my decorated house, the nine foot Christmas tree, the unique smells in the kitchen of the cookies I only make once a year, and homemade baileys.

I will turn another year old on the 8th, and as my daughter reminded me– “ 58 is pretty close to 60 Mom.” Math was always her strong suit.

Heck, I have a new nose, some new pipes (not to be confused with a new rack) and some good ol’ cool air to enjoy come next May. 58 is looking relatively golden as far as I can see.

And so, Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Don’t forget to take the turkey out of the freezer before Thursday morning. Enjoy the fellowship and the crazy aunt, the drunk uncle, the kids running around and the inevitable turkey coma.