'Twas the Monday before Christmas . . .

Mike and I slept to a reasonable hour this morning and then sprang to our work -- loading the Dakota for the trip to the farm. No gifts this trip (mainly because I still have wrapping to do -- but we brought four more boxes of framed photos, etchings, and what have you, adding it to the four that were already here. Nick and Hallie have promised to help us make decisions on some of this old stuff while they are here, and we'll probably do that somewhere between Dominoes and Scrabble.

So, Mike and I arrived here at the farm about 11:00. Food unloaded -- check; faucets re-installed -- check; water turned on -- check; dishwasher runs without incident -- check.

We left here last in the midst of a cold snap on December 7. Here are the weather statistics from Mike's electronic weather station:
Min. temp.: .4 on 12-8 at 7:12 a.m.
Max. temp.: 42 (today)
Min. wind chill: -21 on 12-9
Max. wind gust -- 28 mph on 12-15
We aren't sure about precip. Sometimes that malfunctions. But from the bridge at Arrow all the way to the farm, we saw patches of snow where it had drifted or been piled. The weather report is for dropping temperatures and some snow. It's a gray day, and we noted that the ground is soft and muddy.

The first thing I did when I walked in the house was to turn on the Christmas tree lights. Mike just about panicked when he saw it, thinking we had left them on. I found my computer cord right where I left it. Now I have one for town and one for here. Really, the less we have to carry back and forth the better, but you just can't have two of everything.

Relaxing day? Well, I have things to do. I'm making those lists and checking them twice. But at least I'm down to some fun things. I hope you are enjoying your holiday preparations -- and do check back again for another visit with Ina. KW

A NICE SURPRISE FOR NELLIE

"I'm not going to tell Nellie you're coming," I told Hallie. "Let's surprise her."

So, when Hallie drove up to the town house this afternoon, I called Nellie to the door so she could see her surprise. She recognized Hallie immediately and dashed out to greet her as soon as I opened the door.





And, of course, after the initial greeting, the question always arises, "What did you bring me?" And Hallie did not disappoint, presenting Nellie with a nice, crisp rawhide chewie. Nellie enjoyed possession of the chewie which she took to her pillow and devoured.



Hallie was just finishing her last semester at the University of Idaho when Nellie came to live with us. Hallie and Nellie bonded over just those few weeks prior to Hallie's graduation. Nellie has never forgotten; neither has Hallie.



Hallie will stay with us for a couple of days while meeting with a client here in the valley. We have already done some Christmas shopping and played a game of Scrabble.

We have an inch or so of snow. It's colder this evening than the predicted 29; it's 22.

snow . . . SNow . . . SNOw. . . SNOw . . . SNOW-----

We have just a skiff of snow – enough to make the world beautiful. So, when Mike and Nellie went out to hunt this morning, I tagged along for some early winter shots with the camera.

Behind the grove (which is behind the house).

Right -- The house and grounds from the south.

The snow brings out the interesting patterns left by the combines. These fields have not been plowed or planted since harvest.

The pond is frozen over except for the spot where the aeration hose from the windmill is anchored.

This afternoon the sun broke through and the fields seemed to glow. The forecast is for continued cold temperatures this next week. We plan to go back to town, so we'll probably have to drain the pipes.

SECOND COUSINS

Some years back I had phone contact with a genealogy researcher representing second cousins of mine. Our common ancestors were our great-grandparents, Lafe and Lucy Dickson. These cousins – three of them – were the grandchildren of Ida Jane Dickson Patchen while I, of course, am the granddaughter of Ida’s sister, Ina Rose Dickson Dobson. They were surprised to find me. According to the genealogy they were consulting, written in 1937, my dad was unmarried and they assumed that he had never married. So, the email messages flew for a couple of months and then we lost touch again.

But I found in Grandma Ina’s trunk a small pillowcase appliquéd with a southwestern design. Pinned to the pillowslip was a Christmas gift tag – “To Ina from Idy Jane.” Clearly it had never been used, just cherished. I decided my second cousin, Jan, who resides in Oregon, should have it. I sent a Christmas card to which she responded, and we traded current email addresses and renewed acquaintance. “I have something for you,” she wrote. “Me, too!” I said; “I have something for you.” So I mailed off the pillowcase and she sent me a toothpick holder from her dad’s things, etched with the words, “Orofino Ida Fair 1913.” It was a fun exchange and seemed to brighten the dreary January days. KW

COPING WITH THE HOLIDAYS

It's over – and I missed it!" lamented a friend. That sentiment expressed so exactly what I had felt for years. I just couldn't seem to hit my stride so that I could both present a wonderful celebration to my family and come through the holidays without an emotional meltdown. And once the extended family Christmas had passed from my experience, I had another adjustment to make.

"We don't like Christmas. We just like to get ready for Christmas," said Hallie some years ago. I fought down some anger at her statement. I felt responsible for failing to make even my daughter understand the importance of holiday traditions. I knew she saw a mother overwrought with taking on too much, then unable to cope, and finally disappointed once again when the celebration failed to meet expectations. But as I thought about her words, I could see that Hallie was right, and there is nothing wrong in perpetually getting ready for Christmas (though I suspect I'm adding a dimension to her words that she didn't mean). I've found that if I treat Christmas less as a destination and more as a work in progress, I get along so much better.

This little "Wonder Book" published in 1952 and titled "Christmas Is Coming" was a favorite of mine when I was little – a favorite of my mother's as well. The story follows a stereotypical family of the day as they celebrate their lovely Christmas. Christmas night, as Bobby and Sally go to bed, they say to one another, "Oh, we can hardly wait till next Christmas." That statement became my mother's mantra.

We had spells of wind and rain today and I understand that Spokane is getting more snow. I wonder what it's like in Moscow -- or wherever you are. We had hoped to get into the farm Friday, but I seriously think it won't happen. It's good we went when we did because we might not get in again until spring.

Today Mike and a helper moved furniture and supplies to the CashTyme location – getting ready for TaxTyme. Funny thing: Mike wore his new flannel shirt purchased last week at Penney's. The helper was wearing the exact same shirt. "J. C. Penney's, right?"

AND THE SNOW MELTS

Yesterday (Sat., 12-27) was a dark and dreary day -- a good day to stay home by the fire. It wasn't so very cold, though, and early morning snow became rain. But -- when we got up this morning, it was 46 degrees and our six inches of snow was already mostly gone. Now the ground is soggy with moisture.

Mike and I finished the last of the Christmas turkey breast for lunch and then went out to renew grocery supplies. First I went to Jo-Ann where I checked out fabrics for the "retro" coat I want to make while Mike went to Costco for business supplies. I'm still in the "thinking about it" phase, so I didn't buy. I also stopped in at the Dollar Tree where all the holiday stuff is half off. "Hurry -- while supplies last," said the sign. But it looked to me like there's still plenty left for all of us.

No special deals at the grocery store. I noted leftover evergreen wreaths and garlands at the front door when in past years those sell out -- it seems to me. And who would want them now, I asked myself. I passed on the bananas and the pork chops but bought chicken for dinner (we eat a lot of poultry, remember) and snack supplies for New Year's.

Mike has our charcoal grill ready and will barbecue our chicken. Ah! such is winter in our valley! KW