Friday, November 18, 2005
Christmas...at Last
After I got off work today, I needed to stop by Walmart to purchase a few things, and as is usually the case, I left Walmart with more merchandise than I had originally intended. While standing in the midst of the store, I had a sudden SMACK of Christmas Fuzziness, which propelled me directly into the crafts section for silk poinsettias to put in my vase at home and some pine scented potpourri simmering oil, followed by a trek through the baking section where I promptly filled my basket with the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies.
Upon returning home, I unloaded my booty, turned on the computer to load the "traditional Christmas" radio station, and started baking. I didn't realize how much I missed this. I haven't had this "Christmas freedom" for three years, and it felt really good. As I was concocting my favorite cookie recipe, I noticed that Bing was having another "white Christmas" this year, while Elvis was having another Blue one. (Maybe a pair of white suede shoes would change that problem.) Nat Cole was having Roast Chestnuts as per his yearly custom, and Dean Martin was "hearing things".
However, what really started the Christmas juices flowing, with a happy tear in my eye was the moment Gene Autry's voice started in the slow Cowboy "whine", "You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen..."
There may only be Karim and I together to celebrate Christmas this year, but I still believe in Santa, and I believe, that for a moment today, he visited me in spirit, and gave me a gift that I didn't think I'd have this year. I wasn't in the mood for Christmas before today. Now I am. Let the holidays begin!
