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Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Positively A New Year!

 by Mauverneen

Searching online for something, I came across this. It's a 100 year old magazine cover from the Country Gentleman. I thought it quite appropriate. Exactly what 2020 deserves. Keep reading for a look back, forward, and a little history on New Years.

       Just two more days and 2020 is history! Good Riddance, I say. I don't know of anyone who is sorry to see it go. I hope none of you were sick with the virus, or that you lost anyone close to you. Personally, I know several people that had it - two of them with severe cases - but thankfully, all have pulled through. I hope with all my heart that we can get back to 'gathering' at some point and in some fashion this coming year. Family gatherings have been few and far between for most of us, and - odd. Outdoors we can keep our distance; indoors, well, I think we each have dealt with that  a bit differently.

        Realistically, I don't have too much hope for the next couple of months, but I am keeping a positive outlook on spring, summer, and fall. There are events I hope to attend, and places I want to go, and people I want to see. I can't wait to say hello - and maybe even share a hug, if we're allowed. It will be good to feel social again. 

     March was originally the first month in the old Roman calendar, January became the first month of the calendar year around 450 BC. The month of January is named after the Roman god of doors, Janus, because this month is the door into the new year. Janus is also called the two-faced god, supposedly possessing the ability to see the into the past and into the future. Most of us typically look both ways - backwards and forwards - on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. I think there will be a lot more of that this year. Looking back into 2020, I know I will never forget it. What a disaster! 

      Looking ahead into 2021 I think most of us are doing so with faith, and hope, and expectations of, if not 'normal-as-we-knew-it, at least a 'transition' back to that lovely 'normal'.

     May 2021 bring us all a little comfort and a lot of joy!     

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Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Positively Sneaky Christmas

 by Mauverneen

Christmas is in a few days.

How is it that Christmas always manages to sneak up on us?  We all know it's coming, we count down the months, then the days. We have a whole year to get ready for it. And yet...

At the last minute it's always OhMyGodChristmasisnextweek! Christmasisthisweek! 

I know there are people out there who have it all under control. I'm not one of them. I have good intentions, I really do. During the year I'll see something in a shop, on the internet, and think 'Oh, so and so would love that!' And then, generally, it falls to the back of my mind. Until about a week before Christmas and then I regretfully wish I had bought it and I'm scrambling to find something equally fitting. 

This year - the year of Covid (ugh!) - has been especially hard. I haven't really been anywhere to pick up anything unique and I certainly don't feel like mingling with the hoards of masked shoppers - not that there are many stores to even shop at these days. Actually I might feel safe with all those masks - fewer germs of any kind are being spread. I have spent more time on the internet than I should have, but it's like any other shopping trip - I find more for myself than I do for anyone else. I've been trying to talk my family into a self-exchange - you buy something for yourself and tell the other person "Look! This is what you got me. Thank you! I love it!" And they do the same. No more wrong sizes, colors, not-my-taste, exchanging things at the mall only to find they are out of everything. The perfect gift.

Ah well. 

May you all have a lovely Christmas!