Monthly Archives: December 2024

Contrasts This Christmas

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I did some Christmas shopping last night. Actually, I mostly browsed because finding things that I actually want to buy in a brick and mortar store has been kind of difficult. The people in my life are becoming increasingly difficult to buy for and there’s nothing I really need or want either. I’m on the verge of asking my parents for a gallon of paint for redecorating a room because there’s just nothing else.

I had this conversation with a cashier last night. She nodded, leaned across the counter and said in a conspiratorial voice “everyone feels that way this year. People just aren’t happy. They can’t find anything they want to buy so they’re panic buying anything they can find so they have things to give. They’re not very nice either.”

What a sad state of affairs that we would rather spend money on things we don’t care about just for the sake of buying something – whether the recipient wants it or not. On the one hand, I felt better because I am at least trying to be thoughtful in my gifting but it mostly made me feel discouraged. After all, how much of this stuff will end up returned, donated, stuffed in a closet, or just thrown away?

Earlier this week, I had a conversation with an older man who told me all about his grandchildren. When I wished him a Merry Christmas he said “oh, I intend to have a wonderful Christmas!” He went on to proudly tell me about his youngest great granddaughter. Her middle name is Rose. Everyone else calls this toddler by her first name but he uses her middle name. “Rose. She’s my beautiful little Rose,” he said proudly. “Yes, I will have a wonderful Christmas.”

It made me hope that little girl remembers when she’s older how much she was adored by this sweet man.

The holidays can be hard for some folks. Maybe you’ve lost someone important or have suffered the loss of income. If you’re empty nesting, adjusting to the new dynamic can be lonely. My parents are facing their first Christmas without their Christmas loving German Shepherd and it’s hard. Money is an issue for many as is the consumer burnout we feel. How much stuff do we really need?

There are lots of reasons to be sad, frustrated and angry.

There are also good reasons to reach for the light, joy and goodness around us. It’s there if we look. That cashier is surrounded by people engaged in the blind commercialism of the season. That older man only cares about the youngsters who will make his season bright.

It’s a stark contrast, isn’t it?

Perhaps we can find some middle ground.

Thankful Thursday

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When life is busy and stressful, as it has been lately, I like to dig in when it comes to practicing gratitude whenever possible. That’s usually easiest early in the morning.

Today I am thankful for yesterday’s beautiful sunrise which is pictured here. It was well below twenty and so I could see my breath as I carried out the trash and readied to leave for the day. I was grateful for an effective defroster in my new car and for the sturdy scraper that allowed me to clean my windows efficiently.

I’m thankful for the book I’m reading – a fascinating piece of non fiction gifted to me by my fella – which I will write about soon. If you enjoy book culture and history, you may find it interesting as well.

I’m thankful for grilled cheese and tomato soup and for Pillsbury refrigerated cookie dough which make warm and happy companions on a cold, windy night.

I’m thankful for twinkle lights and Christmas trees, for warm throws and for colorful pjs.

As always, I’m thankful for the good job that allows me to have these creature comforts and that helps me give my cat the life he believes he deserves. His tastes are rather refined for a former street urchin.

Your turn! What are you thankful for today?

Sleepy Eyes

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Look at those sleepy eyes. I disrupted his slumber by pulling back the covers on Thanksgiving. As he laid there blinking and stretching, it occurred to me that we all can benefit from channeling our inner feline.

We all should listen to our bodies, stretching often and snoozing as long as possible. We should get some Vitamin D by seeking out the warm, sunny spots. We should hum loudly when we’re happy and take another nap just in case the first one didn’t help us feel rested enough. Most of all, we should be satisfied that we are enough and that we are purrfect exactly as we are.

And if anyone tries to make us feel bad, we should hiss and put them in their place!

But first, that nap…..

Local Art In A Busy Place

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Where in central Ohio do you find the largest collection of contemporary art by local artists? It’s all on display at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

This is such a fabulous and fun surprise because,  whether you’re local or visiting from out of town, it shows off the incredible talent of local artists and gives people something interesting to see in an unexpected place. 

There were several pieces that grabbed my attention but I especially liked this one of the Drexel Theater in Bexley, Ohio. It’s a large mosaic tile piece made of LEGO by Amanda Cook and Alexander Jeney.

The colors and realism are striking enough that it called my name from across the hallway. I had to cut through a busy crowd of people going in all different directions and none of them appeared to be looking at the art.

I got to thinking later about how people who are too busy and preoccupied to notice their surroundings are the ones who desperately need some art in their lives. It’s interesting and can be beautiful and thought provoking.

I am grateful to be the weirdo cutting through the masses to gush at the things those crowds don’t even notice.

A Serious Question

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I have a serious question, friends. Really. I need someone to explain something to me. What in the name of Pete happens to our taste buds as we age? 

Friends, I chose pumpkin pie over chocolate cake on Thanksgiving. This has never happened. Yesterday at the store, I chose grandma cookies over holiday Oreos. What are grandma cookies, you ask? It’s a broad category that includes nilla wafers, fig newtons and oatmeal raisin cookies. Well, not the oatmeal raisin. They are one of life’s cruelest jokes and something I would never eat voluntarily. 

This weekend at Aldi, I walked right past all the fun Christmas candy to buy a bag of little German butter cookies. They come in various shapes, are not too sweet, and some have little bits of dried fruit pressed into them.

Remember when you were a kid and you wanted everything to be nice and sweet? What happened to those good old days anyway? Welp, sign me up for the crusty butter cookies.

At least I still don’t eat oatmeal raisin!

Deck The Hall at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

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If you’re looking for some festive fun in Ohio this year and are near Akron, consider Deck The Hall at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. This historic mansion is open for tours year round but is decorated to the hilt for a special Christmas event that runs through December.

I went for the first time last year and enjoyed it immensely. 

The home was built by F. A. Seiberling, co-founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. He and his wife Gertrude built the home which was completed in 1915. The Tudor revival manor house is 64,500 square feet and has 65 rooms. The estate has five historic buildings and ten restored historic gardens across seventy acres. It is massive and gorgeous. 

I arrived well before dusk so I could tour the manor house before it got too busy. The self guided tour at that point was already well populated so I was glad I didn’t wait. In fact, there were places where it felt like guests were expected to just keep moving in an endless line rather than stop and study the surroundings. I would like to redo that house tour on a less busy day.

All the same, I enjoyed the experience with the gorgeous decorations and Christmas music to set the mood. 

Outside, Christmas lights of all colors glowed bright against the dark December sky. There’s a conservatory to explore as well as a good gift shop and places to enjoy snacks. I had a cup of hot chocolate and a delicious cookie that night as I walked the property and stopped here and there to enjoy some of the more unusual displays. Santa visited with children and there were other holiday things to see and do that night. 

This event does sell out so it’s important to get your tickets in advance. One more thing. It was impressive to see how ready Stan Hywet was for the crowd. Every employee and volunteer seemed extremely well trained, courteous, friendly and excited for every guest to have a good experience. In a world where customer service is lacking in some areas, it was delightful to experience such good service. I think it’s important to give credit to these folks for a job well done. 

Want to go? Click here to visit their website. Also, visit Make the Journey Fun on Facebook for more pictures!