Snow Day - Revisited

We have our second snow day in a row and the sun is shining brightly. It is however, bitterly cold outside. The buses probably could not run and cars would have a difficult time. The wind is also whipping the snow around into drifts.
So, in we stay.
It gives me the chance to bake for the holidays. To listen to the newest CD by Sting. To sit with George and look at the tree and be quiet.
I think I like that best.

Snow Day!

It is snowing outside. The possibility of actual accumulation is exciting to me. Waking up and looking out the window to see what happened over night. A white world. All the dead flowers and plants, the bare trees, covered in snow. A truly wonderful sight!
That is until February hits. Then I want green grass, green leaves, flowers and fresh squash from the garden.
So until then, happy snow day!

My husband and I had not an argument but a strong discussion this morning. I say strong because our opinions differed and we needed to make ourselves and said opinions understood.
It was over an editorial in the local paper. George had taken offense and was stating how he felt about the matter and the author. He was wanting to write in to the paper and he wanted me to back him.
Here is where we differed. I couldn't back him.
Not this time.
Usually, I find the editorialist's work to be at best purile and at worst, horribly bigoted, exclusionary and incredibly isolationist.
This time I still didn't agree, but I could not back George. For once, the author had stated what I felt to be an opinion. Not one I agreed with, and it was stuck in at the end of an essay paying respect to the survivors of Pearl Harbor and World War II, which cheapened the whole thing. But it was an opinion.
I will argue and defend someone's right to state an opinion. Period.
It would be much better if they agreed with mine...

The Christmas tree went up today. Tomorrow will be the remainder of the house. Please note, this is the earliest we have ever put the tree up. A very auspicious occasion.
My husband has had a strong tradition of not wanting to put up a tree until after church on the 4th Sunday of Advent. States that Advent is a somewhat penitential season. A thoughtful season. A season of preparation and Christmas trees and other greenery are not part of that preparation.
I on the other hand like my tree up right after Thanksgiving. Gives me a full month of enjoying the greens, the reds and the glow of the tree lights.
So we compromise. The tree goes up a little later than the weekend after Thanksgiving but much earlier than the last Advent Sunday. We also keep it up for the entire 12 days of Christmas. It does not come down until Epiphany. Uh Uh. No way.
Keep in mind we have always had real trees. When Epiphany comes around we have kindling sitting in our front room. No sparks, candles or hot thoughts can come close.
So tonight we have Christmas lights glowing softly in the living room. Fresh pine permeates the air upstairs.
I think we are in preparation.

It has begun

I was confronted by a very nice person this morning. She had a ready smile, nodded at the right places and yet didn't seem to take in a word that was said.
It baffled me. I don't believe the woman to be lacking. Really. She just seemed to have turned her brain off and was going through the motions. How can a body do that for any length of time and why?
This is not the first time of late to run into this type of behavior. Has it become the norm?
Don't go beyond the "nice" barriers. Don't allow creative or individual thought to come in to play.
I can't live that way. I need to be thinking all the time. The brain just keeps trundling on with the what if's. Kind of fun.
I would like to encourage this woman to try it. It might be scary at first, but she might like it.

At a meeting tonight we discussed giving. Primarily Christmas baskets of food to families in need. One woman in the group didn't want to give too much. For fear it would go to individuals she sees milking the system because they go and accept commodities and frequent the food bank every month. Another was concerned about giving because someone in the past had not sent a thank you note. Yet another didn't want to give to a family where someone smoked or drank. Felt if they could afford those things they did not deserve a basket.
Ordinarily, these are good people. Truly wanting to help others. And yet this evening a whole other set of attitudes and views came out.
Why is that?
My family is not holier than thou. Far from it.
We have our moments of grumpiness.
Trust me.
Yet, we believe we have more than enough and what we have is to be shared if possible. Our door is open. Always enough to go around. Always.
Our kids believe that too and bring home every person they deem to have a need.
Sometimes we hold our breath.
Other times the lessons we learn are incredible.
So the attitudes tonight make we wonder. How can I and my family help make change?
It starts with us. And with those around us.
Christmas baskets will go out. But they may also go out in January or June or August. Someone's utilities might get paid. Not because they are worthy but because there is a need.
There is a need.

Winter

It is morning and it is dark and cold outside. Normally I like the cold weather. Even like cloudy days. But today, I look at the outside and feel like a total grump. Part comes from not sleeping and part comes from the wanting to stay home and not deal with the world.
I don't think it is too much to ask to have the occasional mental health day. It just can't be today. That feeds the grump.
State reports and church meetings need to be completed. The nap that would love to be taken, needs to be put off til another day.
Yup, winter is here.