It's almost 2011. I'm already hearing shotguns being fired -- an old German custom here. I can remember my grandfather doing it, but I never quite understood why we needed to shoot the New Year. I'm sure there's a reason, though.

In any event, Happy New Year! (Remember to eat ham hocks, collard greens, and black-eyed peas January 1 so you'll have good luck.)

Snow...

It snowed at my house. All night and into the morning...

Christmas In The Foyer

I suddenly remembered that I had a little already-decorated Christmas tree and actually managed to find it amid the renovation upheaval. So here it is in the foyer being all cheerful and Christmas-y. I like it. This is much better than no decorations at all. I was considering going to Ace Hardware and buying an official "Charlie Brown" tree for $9.99, and I'm glad I don't have to -- though it certainly would have matched the decor.

Anyway, I'm feeling the Christmas Spirit now and sending it to all of you.

Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. Happy New Year.

(Now I'm off to assemble the potato salad...)

It's Time To Remember The Almost Christmas Stranger

It's almost Christmas Eve Eve again, the time when my mom and I remember our family's long ago "almost Christmas stranger." (My baby sister was too young to remember that night.)

Here's the link to the story if you haven't already read it. There is also the recipe for my late sister-in-law's wonderful Christmas cake.

Feeling Better...

I'm leaning more toward feeling "good" now, so I thought I'd show you something uplifting in case you're not.

Bluebirds.

In the birdbath.

I love bluebirds -- as you may already know. I had to work to ignore how very cold and windy it was when this photo was taken, though. There was ice floating in the birdbath water, but they don't seem to be wired to care as far as I could tell, keeping their eyes on the prize instead and focusing on the end result. (Clean feathers?) I must say they looked very fluffy and spiffy afterward.

I am so behind on all things Christmasy because of the "under the weather" episode. And the house is still mid-renovation. (Invisible shower leak rotted the floor.) I have no place to put a Christmas tree because of all the furniture and fixture relocation necessary to make room for the carpenter, et al. to do their work. There's a toilet in the bedroom, rolled-up floor covering, an unpacked shower door and sink in the hall. There's also a sink on the front porch (among other things).

But I'm not going to worry about it. I'll just make do with photos from "Christmases Ago." (see below)

I could put a bow on the front porch sink, I guess. Maybe a little greenery. Or a poinsettia. If the songs are correct, Santa already knows where I am without it. (I'm hoping he'll bring me somebody who'll want to "manga" my entire rights-reverted backlist.)

In any event, I hope your holiday preparations are going well, and I'm wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a decidedly Happy Holiday Season.