December Third

December Third.  

       I’m rising in the dark, although I know I should stay in bed.  It’s Saturday after all and I can sleep as long as I want.  But I don’t.  It’s so quiet outside and I can’t wait any longer to peek out the window to see if the weatherman was right, to see if it snowed.  Yes, snow is coming down heavily, the back yard is covered and I can barely see across the park to the school.  I love it.  I don’t have to go to work or drive anywhere, although I think the snow is supposed to stop by lunchtime.  We can go out then if we choose.  The main streets will be clear.  It’s Saturday and nearing the holidays.  Merchants want us in the stores, not snowed in!  I have a wonderful gift of a day, starting even before sunrise.  I spent the morning doing some favorite things.

         I had my first cup of coffee and sat down at my laptop to check my e-mail, Facebook, and my blog to see if there were new comments.  I replied to a few e-mails, then began reading some of the later Poetry Friday blogs so I could make at least a few comments.  I also receive Your Daily Poem.  Yesterday’s poem was good, better than today’s for me, and I re-read it.  It is about finding the best in everything, titled Bounty, by Robyn Small.  It begins:  Make much of something small.  You can read the rest here.   

         Soon enough, my husband joins me and brings in the newspaper.  He is the news guy, and spends the first 15 minutes of his day with coffee while reading several news stories to me.  Yes, he reads them aloud, along with commenting on each.  He also tells me which comic strips are likely to make me laugh, or that there are no laughs today.  He’s my own “Dave Letterman”.

         Because it’s snowing, I start boiling water for a delicious pot of Bob’s Red Mill five grain rolled cereal.  If you haven’t tried it, do.  It’s delicious, fills me up, and always makes me feel so virtuous because on a really cold day, I’ve prepared (and eaten) something good for me.  Today we added a lot of raspberries, and of course, honey. 

         I couldn’t sit still any longer because I love snow and wanted to be out in it, warming up the bird bath water, taking care of the bird’s food, putting out peanuts for the crows and squirrels, and shoveling the walk.  I also had an idea to take a few pictures so I could create a Christmas card this year. 

         I put on the layers: fleece pants, turtleneck, Smart wool socks, warm sweater, boots, coat, hat, scarf, and gloves.  Then I get the food for the little animals, and tramp out.  Doesn’t it feel great to crunch and tramp and even sloosh through the snow; doesn’t it sound great?  I fix the water in the birdbath, put out the seed, and spread the peanuts.  I shovel the patio and take lots of photos, get a sudden idea, and return to the house for the accessories I need.  What do you think?  It’s a little spruce tree we planted several years ago, brought from the forest near our cabin.  It is growing, but spruces take a long time.  WE love that tree and know we won’t be here probably when it reaches its full growth, but hope someone in the future will love seeing a huge spruce out the kitchen window. 

         Back in the house, laundry to do, more coffee, and time to start the Christmas tree.  We finally caved in a few years ago and bought an artificial tree.  Now instead of trimming off the bottom to make an ornament, I place branches and bend the wire twigs to make it look just right.  I place the lights, swirl the garlands on, and arrange the old quilt top from my grandmother around the bottom.  Then goes the little elves that sit under the tree, plus Woodstock and a little stuffed giraffe.  They have appeared each Christmas to live under the tree since our children have been born.  It’s expected, if you know what I mean. I decide that’s enough for today; the ornaments will come out tomorrow.

         The sun is out; I’m off to the grocery, after having a perfect, snowy morning.  When I get back, I’ll finish this post, have another cup of coffee, and move onto other things, thinking of past Christmases, and the one coming.  My son, daughter-in-law, and grandson are coming for a week!  And we have a new baby to welcome to our Christmas, too.  I’m looking forward to the next weeks.