I have a love hate relationship with my sinuses. Normally, I think they’re cool. We breathe in and out and everything is good. I do my best to keep out the viruses and bacteria. But every once in a while, something gets in and we’re off to the races.

Dishes. I have dishes. It’s amazing the variety of dishes a couple can collect in 50 years of marriage while raising three kids. We have three sets of China.

The cold has come, and it will come again next week, except next time it will bring reinforcements. We’ll be in for a hard freeze. Okay, I’m fine with that.

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.

The wise men have come and gone. The Feast of the Epiphany is over. I can start taking down my Christmas decorations. All the colored lights will soon be boxed. The angels stored for another year. The Nativity Set wrapped and bundled. The winter season will officially be upon me.

The house is painted. Refreshed. We’re ready for another ten years. Maybe I should sell it. It looks good. But no. I’m going to paint walls on the inside. Do an accent wall, or two. Change things up.

Yesterday. Wow. … A storm was brewing. It hit when I got on Interstate Ten. I had just passed an exit … when the traffic stopped. As in still. All lanes were closed due to an accident that happened earlier that morning.

I’m entering year ten of my little blog. My output was down last year from the previous year because I started the year with the idea, I’d take weekends off. Couldn’t do it. Too boring. Still, I ended up with 294 entries. Output.

Happy New Year! My first steps into the new year found me hiking in Gaudalupe River State Park. We did about five miles over hill and dale. Sat beside the river. Stood on a bluff and looked at the view. Ate some grapes and snacks for lunch.

My life is a compendium of serendipitous events, places we’ve moved, people I’ve meet, paths I’ve crossed. Entire groups of friends are based on chance.

The approach to the new year has slowed a bit. It’s still two days away, and while I know I’m going to reassess my budget next year that’s about the only thing I know for sure. Today feels like a big pause…

Here comes the end of the year. The time for reassessment. This year I’m taking a hard look at my budget. Where have I been spending money and where do I want to spend it in the future. Not really fun, but it might mean a lot to my retirement…

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.

This is all about the blog and the email that has now started appearing in inboxes. A behind the scenes look at 21st century technology.

There’s a benefit to getting around. You learn things. You can learn about other people and their customs, and some of them are pretty interesting. Take Boxing Day. It’s today.

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.

Got my flu shot yesterday. Should have done so in October. I got sidetracked. But, better late than never. I even got the senior dose. Since I just had a bout of COVID I’m semi-protected on that front although the virus is proving highly adaptable with lots of mutations.

Did something yesterday I seldom do. Wrapped Christmas presents. Now, it’s not that I never wrap Christmas presents, it’s just that I procrastinate. Most years I would be wrapping on Christmas eve.

I’d be such a slug if left to my own devices, sitting home, reading, watching TV, piddling. But luckily, I’m covered up with friends who do things and often invite me along.

Kissed the kids goodbye yesterday and made the long drive home. I’ll see everyone again on the 23rd when we gather for the family Christmas.