I’m having trouble getting into the holiday spirit. I think it is way too early, and I don’t have the staying power to get wrapped up in the holiday hoopla for an entire month.

I was thinking maybe we’d get the lights and ornaments out around the 24th and take it from there. To me, that is a reasonable amount of time for the Fa, la, la of this atheist at Christmas.

The challenge is, Christmas is commercial and no longer about religious beliefs. Plus, our street is already decked out. Neighbours have their lights up, and we can see decorated trees through their windows when we walk past. I’m starting to feel that since Ken and I didn’t participate in Halloween, we better get some lights up, pretty quick, if we don’t want to be known as the curmudgeons of Samron Rd.

It is hard to feel something you don’t. Still, if TV has taught me anything — the holiday spirit comes to those that need it the most.

So, we’ll get the box of decorations out, order the ham and start collecting crap (er… presents) to stuff into socks, hung with care. Perhaps the TV holiday movies will help move me.

My friend Jacquie has written the perfect sum up about the holiday shows that are gracing the airways this month, so I wonder if I really need to watch any of them now.

I will say that with the exception of not mentioning the miracle cancer cures of children, and one or two christmas cookies capers — Jaquie nails it.

So, with permission and the warning of a “spoiler alert” I give you…

Christmas joy as TV sees it.

By Jacqui Parker-Snedker

“Not that anyone I know watches these things- but. The latest round of Christmas movies; single woman, divorcee, widow, returns to Middle America, middle of town, Middle Earth, with child, dog, Mum, to stay in old Lodge (being reclaimed by the bank), old family home (being reclaimed by the bank), old chocolate factory (being reclaimed by the bank). Meets handsome but slightly evasive (for reasons we learn about as this drek unfolds), who is the town reporter, handyman or reindeer herder who in the end turn out to be the son of Santa. The couple of this romantic (slightly) comedic opus by turns face each other, retreat, resolve, break apart, fight, briefly write a truce because of problems with the child, dog, mother. Only to have, five minutes before the end (and I’m on my knees on the carpet pleading for mercy) a major misunderstanding- he’s been seen with;(an out of town female reporter- who is in fact his sister but seems incapable of saying so), an actual wrench in his hand (he finally has a piece of work to do) or is caught with a sleigh that he ruefully admits is Santa’s (Dad’s, he says with a shrug). The child, dog, Mum run towards his open arms- single woman, divorcee, widow explodes in fury claiming he is misleading her child, dog, Mum and storms out. At this point I excuse myself to go anywhere else in the house, to make a sandwich, sleep for 5 minutes, have a reviving shower) to return to the living room to find everyone in each other’s arms (how’s that happen?) and watching Santa lifting off for the long journey into night.
Come on Polar Express.

Ho-Ho-Ho!

Here is a little something from the notebooks. I don’t think this one made the cut for Today’s Step, but it is singing to me today.

“People who get what they want, usually know what they want.”

Using outside eyes, I am a very forthright person. I do my best to say what I mean, mean what I say and not say it mean. For the most part, (just ask Ken) I’m rarely short of opinion.

Yet, lately I find myself being wishy washy. I’m having trouble making simple decisions, so the word “no” seems to fly out of my mouth faster than “yes”. Then I change my mind, then I change it again.

Lucky for me – I’m not talking about the big decisions.

The things I find myself struggling to say yes or no to, may not really change my life, but they do change the way I spend my day. And I’ve always said, the quality of my day, will make up the quality of my life.

I remember my friend Kim telling me, that it was just as easy, to say yes as it was to say no. After all, they are both just one word — yes — no.

There’s a book (I haven’t read) written by a woman who spent a year saying yes to what ever came her way. I heard her in an interview, say it was “life-changing”

I’m thinking a book on saying No would be as well. It just may not be as exciting. Perhaps she and I are just walking down different sides of the street right now.

I struggling with questions like… Want to go? Want to stay? Want to mingle? Want to be alone?

Basically I’m asking …Shall I join in or opt out?
Yes, or no?

The other question I’m asking myself these days is… Do I need a story to go with my answer?
Yes, no?

The point is – I have a choice, and nothing screams privilege louder than having a choice!
(Except for maybe having choice and not being able to make it.)

As the year comes to an end, I realize I’m tied with last years reading record. In 2016, I read 52 books.

BUT… I still have the entire month of December to beat that number. (I think I can, I think I can…)

The first book I read from start to finish, way back in 1984, took me a month to read, was a novel about Captain Cook, and I struggled to make the 30 day library due date.

Today, I’m more practiced in reading. I’m still not a fast reader, yet I’m persistent. And, there are three books on my night stand as I write this. One I am half way through, one I just started, and one that was recommend to me that I found at the library yesterday.

Full disclosure – Reading also includes listening to books for me. I can make a nice quilt at the same time an author can tell me their story.

I was given a reading challenge at the beginning of this year and while I’ve read more books than on this list – I did meet this challenge. Yay me!

I promised to share my list when I finished. So, here it is…

Reading challenge accepted and met.
A book you were suppose read in school – Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
A book from your childhood – The Bluenose Witch, by Margaret Emery
A book published 100 years ago – A Room of One’s Own, by Virginia Woolf
A book published last year – The Sellout, by Paul Beatty
A non-fiction book – Endurance, by Scott Kelly
A book by a male author – Sapiens, by Yuval Harari
A book by a female author – Laughing all the way to the Mosque, by Zarqu Nawaz
A book by someone who isn’t a writer — My Hitler Youth, by Jurgen Grone
A book that became a film – Hidden Figures, by Margot Lee Shetterly
A book published in the 20th century – The Three Musketeers, by Alexandre Dumas
A book set in your hometown/region – Last of the Sunshine Sketches, by Terry Barker
A book with someone’s name in the title – The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsio
A book with a number in the title – Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, by Robin Sloan
A book with a character with your first name – They Left us Everything, by Plum Johnson
A book that was recommended – Fallen, by Kara Stanley
A book over 500 pages – Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski
A book to finish in one day – The Days, by M.A.C. Farrant
A previously banned book – To Kill a Mocking Bird, by Harper Lee
A book with a one word title – Projection, by Priscilla Uppal
A book translated from another language – My Name is Red, by Alain de Botton
A self improvement book – Living Low Carb, by Johnny Bowden
A memoir or journal – The Doc’s Side, by Eric J. Paetkau
A book written by someone younger – Hamilton, by Lin-Manuel Miranda
A book set in a place I might visit – Gumboot Girls, Edited by Lou Allison
An award winning book – In the Darkroom, by Susan Faludi
A self published book — Coach Hudson’s Words of Wisdom, by Coach Hudson

There was a famous writer who, when asked if he loved writing, replied,

“No. but I love having written.”

“Who is that one for?”
“No one in particular.”
“We’ll keep it, until we give it away.”
“Perfect!”

The Ancient Chinese* said, “The only problems in life are from having too little or too much.”

One would think the solution is in distribution, but I’m not so sure. The more obvious solution might just be our ability to express gratitude for what we do have and not get all worked up around what we don’t.

*citation needed

We’ve got company this week, and I’ve not a lot of time to write, so…

I’m going to leave this quote on the page and let it speak for itself.

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.” ~ Martha Graham to Agnes DeMille

I don’t usually do those advent calendar thingys.

This year though, my friend Sarah shared this particular one and I’ve decided — I’m in.

I have no idea when you are to start an advent calendar. Actually, I know nothing about them at all, except you usually get a small gift. This one is different, in that the small gift is one you give.

Each of the following daily reminders includes a suggestion for a payment, a small monetary gift that in 24 days could grow into a donation, payable to a charity of your choice. At the end of the challenge, take the money collected and give it away, preferable somewhere local, that serves those less fortunate than you.

Day 1. Pay 25¢ for each woman in your family who graduated high school
Day 2. Pay $1. if you rode in a car today, pay an extra $2. if you drove.
Day 3. Pay 25¢ for each light switch in your house.
Day 4. Pay 10¢ for each pair of shoes you have.
Day 5. Pay $5. if you never had the power turned off due to inability to pay.
Day 6. Pay $2. if you’ve travelled outside of Canada.
Day 7. Pay $2 if you bought a fancy coffee in the last month.
Day 8. Pay $2. if you went to work and earned an income today.
Day 9. Pay $1. for every refrigerator and freezer in your house.
Day 10. Pay $1. for every cell phone you have.
Day 11 Pay $1. if you graduated form university
Day 12. Pay $1. for every TV in your home and $1. extra if you have Netflix.
Day 13. Pay $2. if there is more food in your pantry, than you can eat in two days.
Day 14. Pay $2. if you have more than one bank account. Pay an extra $2. if you have investments that earn income.
Day 15. Pay $2. if you slept in a warm bed last night.
Day 16. Pay $2. if you’ve seen a doctor in the last year for something fairly minor.
Day 17. Pay 50¢ per faucet in your house.
Day 18. Pay $1. if you bought gifts for others this season. Pay an extra $1. if you bought a little something for yourself.
Day 19. Pay $1. if your home has more than 25 books. Pay $2. if you have more than 50 books.
Day 20 Pay $1. if your either of your parents went to university. Pay $3 if they both did.
Day 21. Pay $1. if you are traveling over 100 km for the holidays. Pay an extra $2. if you are confident your car will get you there.
Day 22. Pay 25¢ for every coat in your closet.
Day 23. Pay $2. if you can name more than 5 people who love you.
Day 24. Pay $2. for each pet you have.

Donation time!

My Tai chi sister Lois, gets all the credit for this favourite quote.

“I’m not complaining, I’m telling you of my adventure.” —Lois Harle

I’ve repeated this more than once.

Happy Birthday Lois! I hope you continue your grand adventure!

“I’m not racist, but…”
“I’m a Christian, but…”
“I don’t want to say anything, but…”

Anyone can talk about what they don’t like, AND… if you start a conversation with any of the above sentences, I will nip you in the bud faster than most.

Words matter.

When we starts a sentence with a statement we deem to be true, then add the famous, “BUT” to it, we are lying about what we just said. What ever comes out next, is more so what we really think.

It is easy to complain and excuse our words. Especially if we think others will agree with us. And it is super uncomfortable to be called out for what you say, when it doesn’t go over so well.

Once, when Sandie and I were in NYC, we came across a wall full of little sticky notes with quotes on them. We were invited to add some words of wisdom of our own.

Sandie, wrote, “Be Nice.”

It may not be easy, BUT, it sure is simple… Be nice, AND leave your but out of it!