Merry Fake Christmas

Father Christmas

I wasn’t going to (live) post today.  I had something scheduled to go out without me, but the house is quiet and feeling a little…  I was going to write “empty” but that’s not true.  M and I and the cats are here.  The house isn’t empty at all.  It’s just not as full as it was with our sons, daughters-in-law, granddaughters, and their assortment of dogs filling up the place.  The echoes are still here, not yet faded into memory.

Yesterday morning as we were waiting for everyone to arrive, snowflakes began to drift and fall from the sky.  It kept a gentle, steady pace for several hours, giving us a nice dusting for our early Christmas celebration.

Several hours after the first shot of the snow.

I ordered the snow, and Mother Nature was kind enough to provide it.  If you’re going to have an almost-Christmas celebration, you should have an almost White-Christmas celebration, don’t you think?

It has been a warm and wonderful weekend, filled with little girl giggles, adult laughter, talk, play, food, opening presents under the Christmas tree, and the best gift of all:  family.  There was an Elf on the Shelf watching over us, too.  He is traveling with the girls, taking note on whether they’re being naughty or nice.  (Honestly, he’s a little creepy…lol!)

It was too short, as always, but I am grateful for the time we had together and so glad our oldest son, his lovely wife, and the girls could make it up for a visit.  We’ll do a smaller version of it next Sunday when M the Younger and his wife join us again.

M the Younger’s wife came up with the “Merry Fake Christmas” which we all adopted.  It wasn’t fake at all, just one of those things that catches on and takes on an opposite meaning because of the tone, feeling, and hugs behind it.

After everyone left this afternoon, I went out for a walk.  The snow is starting to melt already.  The ground is soggy and treacherous.  Every footstep comes with a little slide in the mud.  If you’re not careful, you’ll keep sliding and might end up splashing down onto the mush that used to be firm ground.

It will continue to warm up, with rain in the forecast for tomorrow.  The paths through the woods are still covered with water from the last two day bout of rain.  Someone mentioned we’ve had 6 feet of rainfall this year.  Pretty amazing.  There is no water shortage here.

The weekend was lovely.  The walk was refreshing.  I am content.

Seasonal decorations

Contentment has the ability to squeeze out of every situation all the good there is to get.

~ Shantidasa

The sun has come out for the evening sunset display, the cats are chattering at the windows as they watch the birds at the feeder, and the scent of the stew we’re having for dinner is permeating the air.  After I finish this post, I’m going to join M by the fireplace and enjoy the peace, quiet, and contentment of a late Sunday afternoon.  I’ll probably read if I don’t end up mesmerized by the fire.  M will watch football.

Life is good.

Thanks for visiting me here in the Bogs.  Happy Fake Christmas.  🙂

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