Yesterday was a fairly quiet, restful day for which I am thankful. Given Mamie’s youth and inquisitiveness we decided to get a much smaller Christmas tree this year—about four feet tall—and put it on a table, well out of her reach. That’s it in the picture above.
It was a very consumables Christmas. I gave my wife tea (about two pounds of it) and cheese from Cowgirl Creamery. Coincidentally, she gave me some cheese, too, as well as a couple of shirts and a Braun handheld mixer.
In the evening the daughter of some dear old friends and her fiancee joined us for dinner. I made a cider-glazed ham, a sweet potato casserole, collards, blackeyed peas, and cornbread. I was feeling nostalgic and reflective, as I generally do on Christmas.
As long-time readers of this blog may recall Christmas is my birthday. I have outlived my father, both grandfathers, and both grandmothers. I have outlived one great-grandfather, one great-grandmother and am catching up with my mom and my other great-grandparents. Although well past what most people think of as retirement age, I’m still working and plan to continue to do so as long as I can find an employer willing to pay me.
I still have a full head of hair, thinner than it used to be, I have all my own teeth, and I’m still in my right mind, more or less. As has been pointed out to me, I’m stronger and fitter than colleagues a decade younger than I. I take no medications other than a couple of Advil every now and again. My blood pressure is fine (even with the new guidelines). I have lots of aches and pains and a considerable amount of pain leftover from my recent bout of shingles. All in all not bad for a guy one of whose grandfathers was born 140 years ago.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all who pass by here. And may your have a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year.
Happy Belated Birthday!
Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas! Sounds like you have a lot to be thankful for this year.
Since we are now nomadic, we had Christmas in the most Christian city in the US – Sin City. My in-laws flew out to meet us and it’s been nice and relaxing. I cooked a beef roast (sous vide) along with mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and roasted green beans. One disadvantage of nomadic life is the lack of a proper kitchen and a proper oven, but we manage alright.
I hope everyone else here had a good holiday.
Merry Christmas! Ate too much, had a bit too much champagne, then watched the Eagles try really hard to lose, but failed. All was well. (I just can’t do collard greens, but do like black-eyed peas. Any special recipe?)
Steve
Happy belated birthday!