Post Christmas

Sarah and I always enjoy The Elusive Cow bar/restaurant in Bellevue, with its cozy feel, good draft selection, and ease of vegetarian ordering.  I know the picture is a little overwhelming, but you can pick our a table inside, car parked outside the door, and a nativity at the church across the street.  We shared portobello fries and nachos and we each had our own beer.  Perfect.

Sarah stayed an extra day because she picked up a cold.  Germs are everywhere, no blaming it on any one person.  She started on her way back today, stopping in Berea to run to the top of the East and West Pinnacles outside of town.  Neither her cold or the cold temperature seemed to bother her too much.

And now the house is once again too quiet.  The front door stays shut.  The refrigerator door stays shut.  The washer isn't washing.  There are no tv video games and no hockey equipment here and there.  The piano lid is closed.  No one is asking for a charging cable.  Sigh.

Celebrate!

Merry Christmas, everyone!  Celebrate!

On December 23

Yesterday was the annual visit to the REAL Santa at Macy's.  Santa's visiting hours began at noon and there was no sneaking into his chair for Santa.  He showed up at the back of the line and greeted families along his way.

Hathaway's Diner has been in Carew Tower since 1956 and has become part of our Santa experience.  Comfort food, sandwiches, and breakfast all day.

Carew Tower is a wonderful art deco experience.  Sometimes, when the weather is nice, we go to the rooftop observatory and look down on the skaters and shoppers below.  This wasn't one of those days.  There was a cold breeze and rain, which did nothing to detract from our day.

The grands spent the afternoon at my house in the traditional waiting-for-Aunt-Sarah holiday tradition.  She arrived just in time for us to go to Bridget's for a lovely evening.  Bridget had a great  pasta and salad bar, thanks, Bridget.

Back at my house, Aaron stayed up until midnight so he could say, "It's Christmas Eve."

Winter Solstice

On the day of the Winter Solstice, I went to the car wash.  Along with lots of other people.  Last time I went to work, I was briefly behind a salt truck on the interstate.  It wasn't a pretty outcome.  The other cars in line looked quite clean compared to mine.

Today, when I woke up, I could be happy that we are going toward the light.  Almost like yesterday, but it feels different, it feels hopeful.  

Perhaps today, if I take one room at a time, I can prepare for Christmas.  Lots undone, but nothing big.  Just spread out.

Most of you know that I worked at Berea College for many years and am so passionate about Berea and its mission of providing quality tuition-free education for its low income students.  If family income is too high, students aren't admitted.  So, the tax that will be placed on its endowment is hard for me.  If you're interested, google Berea College tax reform.

That View . . .

The Baby Quilt Group had lunch yesterday at the home of one of the members.  I love, love to go to her home and look at her view.  In all seasons.  The houses and buildings in the front are in Kentucky and the taller buildings in back are in Cincinnati.

It was lovely to sit with these women for awhile.  And so fun to pick out fabrics donated by the family of a quilter.  A quilter with a huge and beautiful stash.  I tried to stick with fabrics in a similar color palette.  There are some generous people in this world.

I wonder whether Amazon is getting tired of me ordering those last little things, a bit of this and that.  Probably not.  I think that many of the items come from the warehouse close to the airport, not far from here. 

Camboni Mission Nativity

It's a family Christmas tradition to meet our friend Bridget at the Camboni Mission on Beechmont Road to see their animated nativity.  Bridget's mom used to take her when she was a little girl.  This is the nativity's 70th year.

The nativity is in its own room and stays set up year round.  People gather, the room dims, and the recording begins.  Always the same, that's part of the tradition.

There is also a small museum at the Mission, and the display includes some long African knives.  Aaron, when he was small, was quite verbal and combined the two, calling the total experience "Baby Jesus and the Night of the Long Knives."

The building also houses Aaron's beloved Garden Montessori School in the back of the building, so some remembering always goes on.  As in, "when the playground mulch was too wet, we would come to this big driveway for recess."

Admission is free, but they do suggest canned food donations.  It's open 6 - 9 p.m. December 15 - 30, Christmas Eve 4 - 6 p.m., closed Christmas Day.

Waiting and Anticipation

Last Sunday, there were two candles lit on the Advent wreath.  Today, there will be a third.

The first Sunday in Advent, this banner was a plain dark blue cloth.  Last Sunday, the sparkled overlay appeared.  Today, there will be shiny silver discs, not too many.

We started with a few votives in jars, sprinkled here and there.  Today there will be lots.

Waiting and anticipation.  This is my favorite season for putting those feelings into visualization.