Am I a Grinch?

A few ornaments on my Delaware and North Carolina Tree.

I didn’t want to do it.

I didn’t feel like it.

I, who gets all googly-eyed over sparkle, lights, and Christmas, have been feeling like the Grinch.

It’s my favorite season but I dreaded the work this weekend. The ladder was out and the main tree stood tall, waiting for me.

Sometimes, it’s just too much.

It’s the first weekend in December and that’s when I decorate. It’s a tradition I keep, all on one specific weekend. I used to finish all of the decorating in one weekend.

I’m not finished!

When will I shop? When will I by two gifts I need before Thursday? When will I get my hair cut before Michael’s company party?

It was sunny and warm outdoors to wear shorts and flip-flops. Not quite right for decorating, according to me. Michael takes care of outdoor lights these days, thank goodness, because there’s a lot of work for me to do indoors. I refuse to think I’m getting too old to whip everything into shape in one weekend like I used to.

Maybe I need a cold blast of Canadian air to propel me into fast action.

I recall a few warm Decembers in Maryland. Most of them were below freezing. I’d rather decorate wearing hats and gloves.

The roads were crowded with those hauling cut trees on the roof of their cars. It was a decorating weekend.

I played Christmas music on the Bose. I needed it. It helps to get me into the spirit!

This is an ornament on my Maryland tree (click to enlarge).

When I was a young child, my Mom hung glass balls in the picture window of our modest row home in Baltimore City. She hung them with white sewing thread, held up by thumb tacks at the top of the window frame. Below the balls, a candelabra illuminated them at night. They were so beautiful to me. Today I hung one of those balls and noticed a thread that had turned yellow. I held that ball in my hand and remembered how little we owned. We didn't know we didn't have much. We only knew how happy we were. Rich in love and spirit.

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I tried pishing today and it worked to entice a Song Sparrow and a Chickadee. Check out Monarch’s video – it’s excellent! I learned that I will never pish with dogs again. Chloe and Bella were escorted inside the house after they both freaked out!

The skies clouded this evening and chilled the air. There’s a “chance” of rain.

Now it feels like Christmas.