INTRO TO ADVENT 2019

In my childhood (the ‘50s), a syndicated serialized story about Santa Claus appeared weekdays in our newspaper during the month of December, from the first until just before Christmas. Mother and I would read that day’s installment before I went to school.

According to online research, these syndicated advent serials were written by journalist Lucrece Beale. The story presented a problem that Santa had to solve in order to meet the Christmas deadline. You can read the history of these delightful serials here – and even some of the stories.

A story writer I am not, but during December, I make this blog into a countdown to Christmas by posting a new installment every day. My little story is loosely (very loosely) based on the Christmas happenings that my grandmother, Ina Dickson Dobson (1870-1958), shared with my dad by letter. I call it fictionalized family history, but it's more like fractured family history. At any rate, for me it constitutes a visit with my grandmother, and her annual plan for a simple Christmas helps to center my own.

I write this simple advent project to entertain myself, and since I write it day by day, I hope the muse will stay with me until Christmas is here. I never know where the story will take me, but rest assured, Ina is happy as she prepares for Christmas in her world. I hope you enjoy this holiday offering. KW

THANKSGIVING GREETINGS

SUGAR BABIES

My pantry needs a good cleaning. It seems like a big project, so I’ve put it off, but now the need for a thorough cleaning and reorganization is great. I decided to tackle it shelf by shelf, starting with the floor. (Yes, the floor acts as a shelf.) As I scrubbed, my thoughts turned to our old dog, Nellie.

In old age, Nellie became my faithful companion, and the kitchen was the center of our activity. If I hadn’t started fixing supper by 5:00, she would remind me of the time. Then she would stay with me, sometimes gently touching my knee with her snout, probably to remind me that she was willing to assist, especially with clean-up. And then when the bowl or pot or pan was ready to be licked, Bess, who appeared to be snoozing on the pillow, would dash in with her licker and claim the prize. Poor Nellie.

The late Nellie, taken in June 2018

But – Nellie had a secret. She knew about the treats on the floor in the pantry. Mike is a dropper of Sugar Babies and peanuts but not a closer of doors, traits which Nellie discovered when we first moved to this house. The first time she found a Sugar Baby on the floor, she was hooked. She would check several times a day for those tasty morsels and was often rewarded. Bess was clueless, and I didn’t enlighten her. It was Nellie’s secret, and she had so few.

Bess today

The other day I spied a Sugar Baby on the pantry floor and decided it was time Bess learned the benefits of pantry patrolling. “Bess! Look!” I said, pointing to the Sugar Baby. She immediately jumped in to snarf up the sweet little morsel, but she apparently saw it as a one-time event because she still ignores the pantry. Or – maybe she just doesn’t like Sugar Babies. KW

COLD SPELL PREDICTED

Cottonwood Butte in the distance

 “It’s going to get colder next week,” said Mike Thursday evening.

“Then we should go to the farm and drain the pipes,” I replied.

We each opened our weather apps and discussion commenced. He suggested we could go Saturday afternoon when he’s back from hunting. “You might be tired,” I replied. “How about Sunday morning?”

“It could be precipitating then,” said Mike. “Why don’t we just go tomorrow morning?”

And so, we were on the road at 7:50 this morning. There was fog along the river, and we drove carefully because the road appeared frosty. As we climbed the Gilbert Grade, we rose above the fog into the sunshine. It was a beautiful but cold day at the farm – 28 when we got there, 31 when we left.

Mike built a fire in the fireplace for our next visit. We turned on the wall furnace, but the fan wouldn’t run. You know how it is – always something. No mice in traps, but one of them had been triggered. The rodents are still active in the yard, but I didn’t take time to bait the holes.

Once the pipes were drained, Mike and Bess set out for a brief hike-hunt. They didn’t see any birds, but they did see Blaze the Horse on the far edge of the south field. Mike left a message at the sheriff’s office requesting an update.

I gathered up laundry and traded the jack-o-lantern lights in the kitchen window for a string of holiday M&M lights. Then I went out to take pictures. I saw evidence that Blaze has been hanging out under one of the apple trees at the pond, but we couldn’t see that he has visited the yard.

Our visit was over all too soon, but without water and heat, there was no reason to stay. We had lunch back at the town house, and then Mike spent an hour blowing maple leaves into a pile. KW

RETURNING FROM STAYCATION

Since I was staycating, not traveling, I don’t have to unpack and settle into routine, but nevertheless, there’s an adjustment. I had to put away my messes, and I’m still at it, but the outstanding staycation gifts have buoyed me through the process.

The yarn from LoveCrafts came yesterday – a pretty metallic DK in yummy colors for doll sweaters.

 And today, the one-liter holiday thermal carafe was delivered. It isn’t new but appears unused. I admit a “like new” condition was important to me, at least that it hadn’t been used for coffee. They do become stained with use. My own stain is okay, but someone else’s? – not so much. 

Satruday, Nov. 16

Wednesday, Nov. 20

The big maple tree has suddenly dropped its leaves, but Mike is waiting for them to dry a bit before he rakes them up. KW