The Caregiver’s Tales
Tiny essays on life, nature, grief and other things that catch my fancy in the Texas Hill Country. Here’s how it all got started.
Tags
- .River 1
- 290 1
- A Resolution 1
- AAA 3
- AC Unit 1
- ALS 1
- ASCII 1
- Abandoned 1
- Abundance 2
- Abyss 1
- Acceleration 1
- Acceptance 2
- Accomodation 1
- Accomplishments 1
- Aches 1
- Acid 1
- Action 1
- Activity 1
- Adjusting 2
- Adoption 2
- Adrift 1
- Advice 1
- Again 1
- Agarita 1
- Age 7
- Ageless 1
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- Aging 6
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- Aircraft 1
- Alexa 1
- Aliens 2
- Alone 3
- Alpine 1
- Alvin 2
- Ambition 1
- American 1
- Amnesty 1
- Ancient Seas 1
- Anderson Fair 1
- Android 1
- Angels 5
- Anger 3
- Angles 1
- Animals 1
- Ankle 1
- Anniversary 3
- Anticipation 6
- Antiviral Meds 1
Party Planning
The house is unadorned. All remnants of Christmas are packed and in the attic. All except for the gifts, I received. I have a soft Christmas blanket, a fine new backpack, a lovely set of glass storage dishes, clothes, and memories, lots of memories -- music, walks, talks, food, fun, laughter.
Shifting Currents
Almost bought an angel. Did buy a Santa. Angels were my wife’s thing, until they weren’t. One Christmas she said no more angels. I guess we were full up. Santa’s just appeared, irregularly. So, it wasn’t very strange for me to buy a Santa.
Deep Breath
It’s a day of rest as we get ready for Christmas day and the little parties that go around it. And there’s time to think of the missing, of course, some of whom made all the parties possible.
New Thing
Take note. I’ve started my Christmas shopping. It began at Trade Days, when I realized I had found a goldmine of fine, odd gifts.
Party Day
I finally did it. Bought a cheap, hang on the wall, outdoor thermometer. It’s on a porch pole right outside my kitchen window. This morning the little red column of mercury stands at 10. That is shiver my timbers cold.
Missed Opportunity
The Christmas cards are arriving in a fairly steady stream. I left space for them on the pie safe with the angels. We used to have fancy hangers to display the cards, but they’re long gone. I know not where or why.
Wrapping Lesson
Sorry if I seem obsessed with present wrapping, but it seems a critical component of a merry Christmas. And I mean, merry, in that I’m happy getting stuff done.
Cold Day
It’s in the 30s. I know some of my readers will think, oh to be there, but to be fair, it’s still cold. So, it’s sort of a shared experience. Except no snow.
Randomness
Baby, it’s cold outside. Random song line to describe today’s weather. No point really. It just seemed the thing to do. This tendency toward randomness often happens when I get a good night’s sleep and I got one last night.
Doctor, Doctor
I’m wondering what next year will bring while feeling good about the possibilities. And that’s good medicine…
Feeling Good
Boom. The Christmas cards are done and in the mail. On the last day in November. He shoots. He scores. Now it’s present buying time. I already have some. I feel as though this may well be as pressure free a Christmas as I’ve had in a long, long time.
Sending Cards
I’m nearly halfway through addressing my Christmas cards. Two boxes down, two boxes to go. My rough count stood at 60. I don’t get that many cards in return. The custom seems to have fallen out of favor.
Get It Right
Here we are one day before Thanksgiving and my home is nearly completely decorated for Christmas. I’m going to bring down the tree today. I was going to wait, but decided, what the heck. In for a penny, in for a pound.
Party Time
Started stringing Christmas lights yesterday. I put up the hard ones. The icicle lights that hang from the gutters. They require a ladder. Boo.
Decorations
Handed out candy to kids last night. It was fun. Had to drive to a friends house to do it. But it was worth the trip. Got a good meal. A nice drink. And plenty of camaraderie.
A Plan
The outside Christmas lights are down, boxed, and stored back in the attic. Score one for me.
New Town
It’s me. Again. I’m back. I had a nice time off. Christmas went well. Spent a great day with the kids. Played music. Realized how lucky I was. Am. How lucky I am.
Looking Ahead
Ah, suburbia. Home to extravagant Christmas light displays. I love it.
Christmas Time
My Christmas cards went out yesterday. While I was lying in bed last night, however, I realized there were a few people I wanted to add to the card list.
Pasture Light
I entertained yesterday afternoon. Had two people over. There was wine, cheese, and some wassail. It was fun.