December March(es) out

Despite the attentions and appetite of a certain lovable but unnamed blogger, it looks like there will be enough cookies for Santa and at least a few of his elves, although not necessarily all flavors will be equally represented. 

We’re close to confirming that the Christmas spirit isn’t dependent on snow but does have a lot to do with sharing good wishes with friends and family. Last night a friend dropped by and today the Granddaughter brought her parents to visit and inspect our tree and decorations. We’ll reciprocate on Christmas Day as we also celebrate our son’s birthday. There are two other family birthdays this month, which adds to the business and happiness.

a special snowflake for Christmas

Photo by J. Harrington

All the fog is making me extra nostalgic for Boston and the South Shore of Massachusetts, where I did my growing up and a white Christmas was less frequent than it has been in the North Country. This weekend’s weather feels more like we skipped winter and jumped ahead to March. So far this month there’s only been one day that hasn't had temperatures above “normal.”

The unseasonable weather and the seasonable visit from the Daughter Person, Son-In-Law and Granddaughter created the fortuitous circumstances of the S-I-L getting up on the roof and clearing an accumulation of branches and leaves left over from autumn’s storms. Having a now clearer landing space should make the landing and take-off for Santa’s visit easier for the jolly old elf. Heaven forbid grandparents having to explain that Santa didn’t get to Granddaughter’s chimney because his sleigh got caught on roof debris at Gramma’s and Grandpa’s.

It looks like next month we’ll return to cold temperatures and may catch up on snowfall. Then, again, maybe not. By the third week in February, we can almost smell spring equinox, which arrives as a belated, but much loved, Christmas present from Mother Nature. (What do you mean I sound like I don’t enjoy winter?)

Before Christmas

By Landis Everson

Almost

the first reindeer

shipped North by boxcar from Lapland   

but a toy model

got there first.

A dwarf invented reindeer on his own.   

He was Santa’s favorite. He

hadn't known

they already existed.

This discouraged dwarf

was close to taking his life but

Santa showed up

encircled by snow.

He said, “I will use the real reindeer for my sled

always in yoke

to your original invention.”

That night the gears that turned the Pole   

stopped

and began to turn the other way,   

so it be so.

My love is a toy model waiting

for a reindeer to carry me.

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