World of mine Wednesday’s Ws

What’s top of my mind: Today’s activities. Patience above! I have today off for Christmas catch up meaning I haven’t done anything yet and today is the day to do it or as much as I can. I will haul out the holly and put candles in the windows etc. etc. tra la la. There will be no Christmas here unless I do it. I might even put up the tree although this is usually Someone’s job as he does it better. If there is time and energy I might put some lights up outside. We are the only ‘dark’ house on the block, so the neighbors think the godless homosexual democrats who hate Christmas. Oh the horror.

Where I’ve been: Bloodbath and body works. Someone likes a soak in the bathtub which gives me the idea of bath salts and such for stocking stuffers. I try to do some local shopping so it is off to Bloodbath and body works at the Desert Ridge mall. It will be my third attempt to go. I couldn’t get near the mall on try #1 and during try #2 I found out I discovered the don’t open until 11AM – during Christmas the season, can you imagine? I will go around noon and hope to get in. Upon entering the store one is overwhelmed by the aroma of a thousand bath products and one is also overwhelmed by the oh-so-helpful B&B handmaidens, which is nice really. It’s often a challenge to find bath salts and bubbly-lotions suitable us manly-types; most of what they sell have seems steered for les dames. Hopefully they will have something that suits him.

Where I’m going: Ace Hardware. The lightbulbs over my vanity all blew at the same time, worse luck, so it is off to Ace Hardware (or someplace like it) to get new ones, preferably with less wattage or voltage or luminosity whatever the right term is. While there I will get The Knife Man to sharpen the kitchen knives, which is done ‘while you wait’. What a great service! I prefer this to sharpening them myself. I no longer carry them into the store wrapped in towels in a Whole Foods canvas as this looks me to be a psycho-killer. Nowadays I use the official Ace Hardware sharp knife carry-on bag. How jolly.

What I’m watching: The front porch. Various prizes are due via the good folks at UPS, FedEx, an Amazon. The front porch as two alcoves, one on each side of the door, which allow for discreet delivery drop-offs. We have never had a porch pirate issue this way.

What I’m reading: Eloise at Christmas time. I have been reading this book since childhood. For thems unfamiliar with the “Eloise” series, it is the story of a six-year-old girl who lives at The Plaza in NYC, which she makes her personal playground. She runs around on Christmas Eve spreading high-energy cheer throughout the hotel. Over the years I see the book less jolly and more sad. Her actions are an example of a defense mechanism called ‘manic defense’. In it, one takes a sad situation and tries to cover it over with fanfare and fabulousness to thwart the underlying melancholy. She lives in an adult world with no other children. Her mother (who is never seen or named ) calls her from ‘the Mediterranean’ to wish her Merry Christmas. There is no mention of a father. This is what happens when psychiatrists reads children’s books.

Have you ever read the “Eloise” books?

What I’m listening to: Dylan Thomas. It is also that time of year to for Dylan Thomas’ ‘A child’s Christmas in Wales.; Nearly every night I fall asleep listening to Mr. Thomas reading this story:

One Christmas was so much like another in those years around the sea-town corner now and out of all sound except the distant speaking of the voices I sometimes hear a moment before sleep, that I can never remember whether it snowed for six days and six nights when I was twelve or whether it snowed for twelve days and twelve
nights when I was six.

It makes an excellent bed time story and I drop off right away that I never hear the ending.

What I’m eating: Key lime pie. Someone’s birthday was Monday and in lieu of a birthday cake we had key lime pie, his favorite. The pie seemed a bit pale and not as tart as he likes, but we ate it with relish. I recently learned there is debate to the pie’s origin; it may have been invented (in all places!) New York City. When I have key lime pie I think of my halcyon days of the 90s in Key West.

Who needs a good slap: Williams-Sonoma. These parcels have not arrived and I am starting to worry. I called their help line the other day and got a computerized mouse maze (no person) that told me some of the order is back-ordered and it may arrive on 24 December. I am taking this as not likely to happen. Perhaps it serves me right I should have ordered earlier or asked Mr. Bezos to provide things; he delivers faster.

On my 1-5 scale, I give Williams-Sonoma two slaps for ruining Christmas.

Who gets a fist-bump: The Brothers Spo. Brother #2 has some time off soon so he will travel to Michigan Land of Perpetual Snow and Ice to see the relations and stay with Brother #3. Brother #3 is planning a dinner consisting of roast beast* and Who hash. Brother #4 will attend. They decided to do the dinner via Zoom (or something like that) so I can partake virtually. I do have nice brothers, all well over four feet.

What I’m planning: Cookies. I shouldn’t be eating such things and Someone doesn’t give a tush but dammit it’s Christmas and a Christmas sans cookies (that means without) isn’t a proper Christmas is it? I will make some ‘S’ cookies (proper ones no rubbish types) and mother’s gingerbread. Yes this is a lot of work but I need some help this year.

Tell me what cookies are you baking this Christmas time.

What’s making me smile: A small act of random kindness I had forgotten about but made a difference. Last Sunday we went to the PHX art museum for a whimsical tour of the art, based on ‘A Christmas Carol’. I wore my top hat. I recognized one of the docents, Lulu, who gave a tour based on Dr. Seuss a year ago. At the end of that tour, she gave us ‘Horton’ flowers made of pipe cleaners. I stuck mine behind a framed photo at the MESA office and it has been there ever since. I told Lulu this and how every time I see it I think of her. She was gob smacked. I was gob smacked in return when she told me she still remembers the comment I made a year ago: that I learned museum has wonderful docents. She explained that compliment has stayed with her these twelve months. This is another example of how a little act or a few word of kindness that seem like nothing can be powerful, almost magical, that through time does a world of good.

*Roast beast is a feast I can’t stand in the least.