Well, here we are… December 2nd. I guess it’s officially Christmas season now. We had a nice, though busy, Thanksgiving weekend over here. Thanksgiving Day my MIL came up for dinner. Saturday was my parent’s 50th anniversary, so we drove up to Western Mass. and met them and my brother’s family at this wonderful German restaurant Munich Haus for a celebratory lunch. It was super fun catching up with everyone and because we were at a restaurant I think everyone could actually relax — no stressing about how clean the house is or cooking for 11 people. 

After that Drew headed out to our condo on the Cape (since he was just about halfway there already) so he could work on a few projects and go to the cable store today to get our service set up. Yesterday was back to college for Mr. Music, so most of my afternoon was spend on the highways of New York and Connecticut. And now it’s back to work.

I was able to get just about all my Christmas shopping done this weekend, and while all the kids were home I got a photo for cards, too. I’ll try to get those mailed out next week. This year I definitely feel like everything is just an item to be checked off a list. Actually, a lot of people I know feel similar. Not sure if it’s because Thanksgiving was so late this year or what, but I know for sure I’m not alone. 

Nevertheless, I do have a lot of holiday activities coming up:

• my daughter’s winter band concert
• the town tree & menorah lighting
• baking 4 dozen (!) anise cookies for the Friends of the Library cookie sale
• gingerbread house program and cookie sale at work
• staff appreciation lunch

Tomorrow Jake has an interview for a job he really wants so I am crossing my fingers and toes. It’s at a hospital in NYC, which is perfect. Close enough to hop on a train to visit, but far enough for him to be on his own. Public transportation. And it would be great work experience in his field before applying to grad school. His goal is to be a credentialed LCSW (licensed clinical social worker), and CUNY Hunter has a great program so any positive vibes are appreciated.

I have some crochet projects on deck, so I am looking forward to starting those. I’m also trying to find some lighter books to read this month, to try to get my mind off, well… everything. I’m almost done with Exit West, which is for my Global Lit book club. After that I am putting aside all of my history and political non-fiction until next year. So, I downloaded The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore for my Kindle. I figure it is probably cutesy and won’t take a lot of brain power to read. Plus it sounds like the main character has my attitude problem, LOL! Lesser Ruins by Mark Haber also just came in for me as a hold, so hopefully those will keep me occupied.

Well, I guess that is about it. On to another busy week!

One of my favorite quotes is “Silence is the best reply to a fool.” It is attributed to Imam Ali. I’ll see if I can take this advice to heart over the next few days. Godspeed to those of you who have to deal with, shall we say difficult relatives. And if you feel like you really can’t stay quiet, well… Sadly, facts are unlikely to sway them so maybe just double-down on their ridiculous claims and say something even more insane just to mess with them! This reel from Dan Donohue explains it better than I can.

I’ve had so many thoughts spinning through my head in the last 36 hours. I’ve plotted out a number of crafts I want to make, patterns I want to hook or knit up, and — surprisingly, since I’ve barely written this year — dozens of blog post ideas. More than a few of those won’t see the light of day but you know what? I’m really tired of holding myself back on my own blog. I have every right to say what I want. You don’t like it? You don’t have to read and you are welcome to move on to other things. But in the words of Frank Costanza…

I’m back, baby!

This is my space. I pay for the hosting. I own the domain. And at this point I don’t really think there’s anyone reading, so who the hell cares? So I’m returning to how I originally blogged 20 years ago. I’m going to write about what I want, and sometimes that is going to cover social topics and political issues. I love the news. I love following politics. I have bachelor’s degrees in journalism and economics and poly sci classes were some of my favorite electives. And I’m tired of letting people who, frankly, know less have the mic while I take a back seat.

I’m not saying that this is turning into a political blog — that is not my intention at all. It’s always been an online journal for me and I will continue to share my projects, recipes, flower photos, and book suggestions. But I want to be authentic and true to myself. I will do so respectfully, and hopefully with humor. Hopefully you’ll stick around. I am definitely motivated to write a whole lot more!

“Knit on with confidence and hope through all crises.”

— Elizabeth Zimmermann

To say I am disappointed in the outcome of the election, and in the majority of Americans is an understatement. I think we are in for some tough years ahead (socially, economically, and democratically), but all I can do is continue to make a positive difference in my community to the greatest extent possible. To quote an email I received this morning, “We have the opportunity to continue to be a catalyst to increase social cohesion by growing empathy, respect, and understanding among neighbors in our communities.” 

At the top of this post is a quote from Elizabeth Zimmermann. It has gotten me through trying times before so it immediately popped to mind. Crafting has always been an escape for me, grounding me when things seem to be spiraling out of control, and so I cast on for a new project today. I really didn’t know what else to do.

I am definitely scared of what is to come. But I am also encouraged by Vice President Kamala Harris, who said today, “The light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”

For now, I’ll just take it row by row.