early December

A beautiful sunset seen on the drive home from a gig with my group, Enigmatica. I am frustrated that it seems impossible to get back to the classic editor to keep my posts in the format I used for many years. If anyone has a hint for me, please let me know in a comment. In any case, wishing you a far better 2022 as we prepare to bid farewell to 2021.

December 31, 2020

New Year’s Eve– so different from our usual. No friends gather, but we try to celebrate by changing the evening up and end up being somewhat inadvertently hip– watching a few of the original Rocky & Bullwinkle TV shows, a DVD Christmas present, followed by Fellini’s 8 1/2, while sipping champagne. The juxtaposition seems curiously appropriate.

week 636 ~ stop being who you were

stop being who you were
change into who you are
miracles won’t occur
stop being who you were
throw out the furniture
go buy a new guitar
stop being who you were
change into who you are

December 30, 2020

The holly and the ivy– bits of green in the dull palette of our current snowless winter.

December 29, 2020

Watching this year of cancelled plans and isolation fade away. Hopes, from the vaccine, of a better 2021. Worries, from the heedless travel of so many, of a Covid surge to come.

December 28, 2020

Christmas card from my daughter– one of those serendipitous things you find and say “Wow-perfect!” A mandolin-playing hedgehog serenading another atop a mushroom. For those who don’t know my roots, I come from the Mushroom Capitol of the World, a small town in Pennsylvania. And, as most of you well know, I am a mandolinist. Fun to receive and to give!

December 27, 2020

Today we finish the puzzle! And play music, take a walk, and otherwise stay happily home.

December 26, 2020

Boxing Day! Traditionally, in my family, it’s a day to do “nothing” after the rush of holiday preparation. Today, we have a family Zoom gathering from California to France. Otherwise, a warming fire, delicious leftovers, and new books to read. Lovely!

December 25, 2020

I am not a baker, but for today I make a pie. Mincemeat, with hard sauce. Thinking of my mom and Christmases past. With calls and texted photos from my children, and the grandboys of Christmas present. Tradition is funny. Things don’t have to be the same for the annual joy to still percolate through the differences.

December 24, 2020

A day of so much pageant and ritual in years past, this year has faded in delight. But my son video-calls and texts fly with family and friends. And so we continue and celebrate, regardless of where we are, moving on to where we hope to be.