History and Hysterical

So I went on the "Historic" home tour last weekend. I was older than one of the "Historic" homes--bummer! I also knew much about the "historic" homes--from experience!! I have come to the conclusion that I have the wisdom that comes from life experience.

Today I met a friend for lunch, and we went to an antiques mall--and again, much of what was there seemed not all that old to me! Then they told me that to qualify, something had to be at least 30 years old!!! That is not antique (at least to me)!

So there was a lot of the same "junk" that I have gotten rid off, that my mother and her sisters got rid of, etc. It was no better now than it was when they discarded it. There were also duplicates or near duplicates of lots the the "stuff" I have--except that mine at least has a story, a former owner, and a reason I have it.

I did not find anything to acquire. Probably a good thing.

Goofy stuff on the internet-what is the point of this?

Monday, August 27, 2007
from someone who got it from someone--and I bit...

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, two people with my name (well, it wasn't mine yet, that my parents (one each) both knew and liked.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Over Auntie L of the slippery pants.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? yes, unless I am in a hurry, which is always.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? YETCH! Awful stuff! IF forced, ham.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes. Great ones.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? All the time.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No--I am not crazy.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? granola with yogurt--Vanilla and absoluetly no raisins! Raisins are gross.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? absolutely, or couldn't get them off!

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? For an old lady!

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Hagendaz--vanilla swiss almond

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Teeth

15. RED OR PINK? Pink

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I don't get to all the weeds in my garden.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? A whole bunch of people, but recently ALOTSP, despite the "new freedom".

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I'm not sending it to anyone as don't do the chain mail thing

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Red and beige.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? French dip.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Silence--it is nice.

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Purple

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Vanilla

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? One of my children.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? No one sent it--I nabbed it from another blogger!

26. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? By default-racing--it is good to nap to--the droning sound....

27. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR? Ravishingly Blonde (in my mind)

28. EYE COLOR? Brown with a little bloodshot this time of night.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes, occassionally. What a stupid question.

30. FAVORITE Foods? Mexican.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy, Happy, Happy.

32. LAST BIG MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Casino Royale--Bond!

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Red, but who would care.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Depends on with who.

36. FAVORITE DESSERTS? Ice cream.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Noone

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Still noone

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? A book about the history of socks--yeah, I am boring!

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? My mouse!

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T. V. LAST NIGHT? Nothing, cable was out!

42. FAVORITE SOUND? Quiet

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles--yeah, yeah, yeah....

44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Monte Carlo.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Yes, many.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? In a hospital

47. What frustrates you most? People

48. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Don't expect answers from anyone. Who answers a blog?

So what is the point--other than the mental exercise? Maybe the fun is in the comparison.

If I had it to do over again...

I would become a "demolitions expert". Not as in demolition derby, but the kind that tear down buildings. They are demolishing a building next to my office, and I have been fasinated the entire time.

I am expecially fond of watching the excavator manuver between the buildings, sorting the twisted chunks, loading the truck--makes it look easy. Know that it is not.

Now, we did not get the excitement of the implosion like the Hudson's building in downtown Detroit. I did get to watch chubby, dirty construction guys go at this building with sledge hammers. The best part were when little puffs of dust would be emitted from the wall, followed by small chunks, and finally a hand would shoot out!

Most of the excitement is done now. The rubble is toted away, and a clean space awaits the new building (?) or parking structure. Can only guess at how "toxic" all the stuff was...I loved watching their progress. It was amazing how they managed to be so exact with such large equipment! The demolition dance!! Loved it!

Expired!

My cell phone rang at work today--something that rarely happens anymore now that I am not a caregiver any longer. The compassionate voice on the other end identified herself as the hospice worker who had done the initial intake on Auntie L of the Slippery Pants. She said she was calling because she noticed that Auntie L had EXPIRED! (She seemed surprised by this--something I though odd for a hospice worker!?!)

Now, my ALOTSP was a lot of things, but she was NOT expired. She had hardly gone past her "best if used by" date!

I was speechless--Auntie L had died! She was elderly, things didn't work like they used to, she was in endstage COPD and hospiced, she was ready---we did not need euphemisms! Auntie L is dead, and it is o.k. with both she and I--we discussed it at length prior to the event.

As I was busy "processing" the expired concept, the hospice lady prattled on about how amazing she thought Auntie L was--I already knew that far better than she! Perhaps I have backed up to Keebler-Ross anger stage--but I don't think so. Maybe I am just too sensitive--perhaps she was trying to be comforting. It wasn't working.

I was brought back to the conversation with a slightly louder "are you o.k.?" I must have missed a response, although I think I was uttering appropriately placed "aa-uha"s. Was I o.k.? Of course I am o.k., I just wasn't ready to get a condolence call about my expired ALOTSP.

In the hospice lady's defense, I think she was trying to help--I thanked her for her assistance and perhaps a little to quickly, ended our conversation.

ALOTSP was not like a gallon of milk or yogurt after all. She was not sour or curdled, even in the final moments. She was a sweetie!! I want to remember her that way.

I think people should stick to "I am sorry for your loss".

Caveat Emptor

Today I had a long list...Dr. apt, run errands, get hair cut, etc., etc., etc. Met E for (her) lunch, and then decided to do the mall--the "lifestyle" mall, which means that you get sweaty between stores--cause it is not enclosed. An opportunity to get some Vitamin D however.....on a day off!! (nice)

At the national retail chain store specializing in women's clothing the sign said "40% off"--smaller print-"summer clearance" It was plastered everywhere in this square "section" of the store. I found two pair of capri's that fit and felt good, that I liked, and a pair of slacks. 40% off is a bargain!

At the register, the clerk said these are buy one, get one half off. I pointed out that that is not 40%, and patiently (well maybe not too patiently) showed her the signs--40% off. She insisted that although the capri's that I selected were under these signs, the sign that applied to my selections was at the front of the store---"New fall stock--capri's--buy one, get one 1/2 off".

Here is my frustration: Why do retailers insist on putting signs with things that they don't belong with? (Obviously, in an attempt to get you sucked into spending more!) And, who gets "new" fall capri's in our climate? Although it is 95+ degrees today, in 60 days we are likely to be at freezing and/or have snow. No one in their right mind would buy "fall" capris!!

So, note to self. Hold grudge against major women's clothing retailer. I walked a few stores down to another national retailer and found some great $12.00 capri's for gardening--and the sign was correct--"this rack, $9.99 and up"!! More points for that retailer!

I may return the capri's in protest---will have to think about it. Survived the triple round-a-bout--so at least it was victory in the transportation department!

(Oh, and, to Jamison and Layla's mother--you really should stay home and put your kids down for a nap!! They are not pleasant to be around!!)

Sadly

Auntie L of the slippery pants died last week. Her funeral was today. A nice tribute to a great person. I will miss her.

"ditch" lillies

I am usually a law abiding citizen--but lately I have had the overwhelming desire to throw a shovel in my trunk, and stop along the road to dig up some of the lovely bright orange day lillies that abound in the ditches and roadside....problem is , they probably belong to someone, even if they look abandoned.

I need some, as they seem very durable. Obviously they are not especially tasty, as the deer have not mowed them down. They also abound in ditches, so must not need much care. I happen to like them.

My boss has some she doesn't want--so I may be legally getting some ditch lillies!! Yipeeee!

Ready...

These socks are the bright candy like colors I am hoping for with my dye it yourself yarn....we will see....but I love these socks! Color and comfy!! Knit them on my Kansas trip.

Probably a bad idea

I am planning to dye yarn for some socks with koolaide...have read all about the techniques, done the math, searched the web. Hard to find the "right" colors--now I am ready---is probably more trouble than it will be worth. Stay tuned!

Baby deer and smelly stuff!

We say them last night upon arriving home--mom and the tiny fawn, barely able to stand--out by the old oak. Mom headed into the woods, but the baby had trouble, falling and not getting up. Mr. CP was worried--he had to take his 1/2 of the trash down, and it was still there.

Gone this am!

Mom and/or friends however visited for lunch in the garden. Lots of hosta munching. I just weeded yesterday, so know the dining was today--not much doesn't taste good to a mom deer nursing a couple of fawns. Or the rabbits--I suspect they had the black eyed susan side salads!

Should have sprayed the smelly deterrent spray last night...but better late! while there are still plants left! Found some new stuff as my regular brand of deer repellent was sold out. WOW, does this new stuff STINK. I can still smell it on my hands--after multiple scrubbings!! Must remember to "suit up".

If the smelliness is related to the effectiveness, I may have plants this year!!

Fish on the roof

The wind socks were beyond straight out horizontal. A 60-70 MPH wind put them into the gutters. The wind played with the trees--bending twisting--just to establish that it was still the "boss", although they bucked and swayed like wild horses. The house creeks, pops, and there are thuds outside. The rain starts with huge drops, pelting the windows, highlighted by lightening. There is rumbling, howling, tapping--much noise. The dishes and the windows rattle--from wind and the rumble!

The lights dim, flicker. The sky is black--tumultuous,churning, spewing forth rain at a pace that turns the gutters into waterfalls, and the downspouts into fountains at the connectors! The weather radar is decidedly beyond red to maroon--"most severe". Walls of rain descend on the yard, flattening the grass in waves.

Then, there is silence--nothing moves. It is as though the wind is exhausted--but the strange glow in grey sky leaves the uneasiness hanging in the soggy air. Little flashes of lightening look like firefly blinks against the dim landscape. And there is a low rumble--intermittent, but threatening.

Thus are sudden, violent spring storm. Intense, unrelenting, overpowering, and yet somehow fascinating. The leaves that have clung to the trees are heavy, bottoms turned up by the wind. Chairs are tossed, branches snapped.

As the sky lightens, the fish dangle idly in the gentle breeze. Soon it will be safe to go out to see if the shingles are still intact. The power of nature should never be underestimated!

Just like Michigan but with palm trees

We adventured to the Florida Keys for fun in the sun with the 4 and assorted significant and not so significant others. It was J's birthday #30, and mothers day...the excuses for the event.

I had three goals--read a book, drink frozen pinacolodas, and get a nice picture of all (suitable for framing and/or Xmas cards). All three were accomplished! The rest did whatever they wanted--apparently harder for them to accomplish than I thought without a "field Marshall" to blame!! We all survived, and on the whole , think all had a good time!

D, E, M, and J even resurrected an earlier t-shirt theme, and had them made in our current sizes--fun! Sometimes they surprise me with their resourcefulness. Still does not mean that they cooperate in any fashion that would seem to be collaborative (family dynamics always enter in!), buy they got it done! M2 even had one, but we will not show mama E the pictures!

Key West is just like Mackinaw City, Atlantic City, or Bar Harbor, but with Key Lime Pie instead of fudge, salt water Taffy, etc. I enjoyed the resort more. Did like the Hemingway house tour, as was entertaining but overpriced, and the Truman white house development was very nice. The food was good (but again, overpriced), and riding the bikes was fun (if not a bit too far for the first time out!). Went to the southernmost point--so I could say I'd been there...one more thing off my list!

Thinking of the next big adventure--maybe an all inclusive resort, or a houseboat (except that I think that is too confined a space--would need several boats!!) Will work on it for 09 --m will be 30!

Fun in the sun was had by all, and the SPF 55 sunscreen works!

It has been awhile

...since I blogged. Nothing to say, I guess. It was the grey, dreary Feb/March winter combined with busyness and laziness I guess.

Have been buying sock yarn like they might not be making it anymore! Several out of town trips took me close enough to yarn shops not yet discovered to be dangerous! My baskets are now full, and I have many exciting socks to knit over the next several months.

Now it is time to start on the yard clean up. Has been an unusually hard winter for trees and bushes--lots of ice breakage. Need a huge bonfire! Have to get going, as have many more out of town trips upcoming--and know how easily it gets out of hand! Maybe I will take a gardening day off!!!?

Auntie L of the slippery pants had quite a March--being hospitalized, etc. Is doing o.k.now--took up lots of my time a the bedside. Didn't mind so much tho, as had my knitting, and we had some "quality conversations". Did some cute booties for a baby shower , and worked on some other socks that I have started.

Stay tuned...spring is upon us!

Sock Goddess

I managed to drop in at my favorite yarn store today. Fortunately I do not have this opportunity often--it is expensive! They had re-arranged the store--so it took longer to take it all in! I left with yarn for only 5 (!) pair of new socks and a book. (Note: tremendous restraint here--that only knitters can appreciate)

I have recently had a compulsion to add to my sock knitters reference collection--and have added several previously dismissed books to the "must have " list. I was searching for reference material, but what the heck--luscious purple, shockingly pink, a lovely aloe yarn in the colorway I thought I was getting last time(but got the peach instead), another aloe because I like to knit with it, and a SALE opal--not that I needed any of this, but retirement will come someday, and/or there could possibly be a shortage of yarn shops/sock yarn in the future due to some unforeseen circumstance. (My former favorite yarn manufacturer did have their factory burn down, and have not rebuilt!) I will have socks to knit for me to occupy the foreseeable future! And there is the occassional "gift sock" for those truly special people.

One must have a stash--you never know what mood you will be in. It all has to work together...yarn, needles, pattern, interest, color, mood...... It is an addiction--a 12 step program my be needed! I found myself rationalizing to the shop clerk that I have daughters who knit, so if I have any left at the end, they will inherit the coveted yarn (and realized how stupid this sounds as soon as it is out of my mouth--neither of them knits socks---yet!)

In looking through the patterns in the new book, there are new techniques to try! Experience levels are indicated--and a particularly intriguing toe/heel indicates it is for "sock goddesses"---so my new goal! Not just a sock princess or queen of sock knitting--but to be a sock goddess!

I guess my knit group would agree--as they already think I am a obsessed with knitting socks--and am their sock "expert". I even have the sock icon in the membership list!! I have, however, noticed that one by one, they are falling in to line and are knitting socks--or trying to....and some have become "converts" to the two at once circular method. Just like a disease, this sock obsession! (Not to mention that hand knit, wool blend socks are wonderful!! to wear).

So, I have declared myself a sock goddess, and will continue to embrace new techniques in search of even more sock nirvana!!! Traveling again tomorrow--new frontiers (and yarn shops) to conquer!

Knit-a-thon

My daughter has talked me into going to a knit a thon. (I thought that is what I already did each night while Mr. CP watched the big screen!). But there will be other knitters there--a-thoning. And a "mart"--YARN TO BUY--Yea! (like I need any more yarn for the next few years!) and Food, and part of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. (what kind of food can you eat while knitting--intriguing!)

Will let you know how the knit-a-thon goes. May take my camera. Must be other sock crazed knitters out there!

Technology marches on!

I remember the discussion--who would want to watch TV on the Internet??? Incredulous. Dumb idea. Weird. Just another "boy" justification for some monitor he wants!

So, I was wrong. Who knew that you could skip the TV altogether, pick the episode you wanted to watch, when you wanted to watch it, and click. Great, convenient, useful. Once they get the bugs out (this is not for prime time viewing when Internet traffic is high--it "stalls" too often).

So, I now see the value in it. Not for everyday viewing. But o.k. for catching up, for hotel rooms in strange cities where you have nothing to do, for understanding the story line if you missed an episode....

Technology. A wonderful thing!

Then and Now

I was in high school. In the girls locker room after swimming class (UGH!) to be exact. As first it was a murmur through the locker room, and then it got quiet. The radio was on in Mrs. Pringle's office---and we heard it---the president had been shot. We stood there, staring at the radio in various stages of dress, not knowing what to do or think. The president had been shot.

I think we got out of school early. No one knew what to do. We walked home, and it was strangely quieter in the streets. At the 14th street party store, where we always stopped, the radio was on...the president was dead. He had been shot in Dallas. Even the store clerk just stared at the radio. No one knew what to do.

I am not sure how long it was. There were only 4 channels on the T.V. All of them only had "news" about the president being shot, and being dead. It seemed like forever, but I am sure it was only a couple of days that we watched, and watched, and watched....

I learned to knit that weekend. There was nothing else to do, and all four channels had the same "news" , and I think everything was closed, as no one knew what to do. There was yarn, needles , and a book in the basement, and I taught myself how to knit while the whole country sat and watched TV, not knowing what to do.

On Sunday (I am sure it was Sunday) there was more news--some one else shot a suspect. It was "live" and we were watching.....and no one knew what to do then either, as they could not take it back...it was "live" on all three American stations.

The funeral was on all day. Flags, motorcades, John-John's salute. Jackie in a black veil. Very sad. All day. All three stations. Then replayed.

This weekend I was knitting too, and I am a much better knitter now. TV is better too. 100's of channels--so there is always something on--well maybe--that someone would like to watch.

Today it was part of Gerald Ford's multiple day funeral--former President. Not shot. Just died a natural death at 93. He seemed to be a good man--everyone says so. An Eagle Scout. From Michigan. A 32- degree Mason, a dad, husband, veteran, former President of the United States.

Betty Ford looks much like Nancy Regan did when Ronald Regan, former President died, and his funeral was on TV. Hard to share this loss with a country. Hard to put on your public face at 80 something, and be televised while burying your husband--except they really aren't theirs to bury, as former Presidents still belong to the country watching on TV--even when they are former Presidents. Hard for the "children" , who are now adults with lives not usually televised.

My generation was the first to watch this--the funerals of Presidents--on television. It is part of who we are. It is part of what we expect. Every detail. Film at 11. Instant replays. Commentary. The visual images that define our generation. Walk on the Moon, dinner with the latest news from Nam, watch the space shuttle explode, see assassins live, see the plane hit the building, watch "shock and awe" "live".

Life was simpler before we could watch everything detail on TV.

Condolences to the Family of Gerald Ford. I am glad they had the chance to say goodbye before the televising began.

Xmas "sucked"

This year was the year of the vacuuming appliance. D,S,and J got a Dustbuster. M got a rechargeable broom vac. I got the Dyson root 6--paling all other sucking devices with its glory.

Now, as it turns out, we could have used even more vacuuming devices at the house this holiday .....E. spilled wine on the stairs--call in the carpet cleaning device!! E also spilled wine in the kitchen--a wet/dry shop vac would have been handy. (are we noting the pattern here?) Most of the other spills, dropped stuff, tracked in crud and debris was handily handled by the Root 6--for speedy quick clean up.

I ended up washing the kitchen floor this morning--it was sticky. And washed the rugs--they were sticky too! Haven't gotten to the shampooing yet, but am sure eventually it will be so sticky that it will need to be done!

It is so fun to watch the "stuff" whirl around in the tiny Dyson---the ultimate quick cleanup tool for the ultimately ADD--useful and entertaining too! Thanks to Santa.

White Elephants

I love white elephant gift exchanges...mostly because I always seem to have a steady supply of white elephant gifts to select from. I don't want to brag--but my white elephants are funny, and often fought over --but are definately white elephants!

Alas, this may have been the last year for the white elephant at the office. Lest I break the "dooce"rule, I cannot describe the gory details of how the people I work with cannot play nicely with others, but it is sufficient to say, some (mostly one) have ruined the fun for everyone else--three years in a row now. So I get the feeling that next year, we will not have an exchange.

Sad, as over the years I have divested myself of a bell ringing battery operated santa (who has been back to the event four times now!), a black lacy teddy paired with a feather boa (which my co-worker modeled in the side room of a buffet resturant at our party!), a bustiea purse paired with a tee-shirt proclaiming that it is not easy to be a princess, a cymbyl playing gorilla, and a 2 volume book set of why men are the way they are! I enjoyed passing along these treasures to another to enjoy (don't even start with where I get this stuff!)

To my delight (another opportunity to divest) my Wed. knitters decided to exchange elephants at the annual Xmas party! I took a ceramic pig bank that was cute, wearing a Tu-Tu, and had a crown. It was the only gift stolen during the exchange!! There were candles in the shapes of cupcakes--set of four. A reindeer trivet, 2 pair of (new) gloves--the cheep kind that one never looses-still with tags attached, 2 chia pets--donkey and black elephant--different gifts, a jig-saw puzzle, trivial pursuit game, a snowman candy jar, a snowman mug, an emergency radio that you had to crank (this approached the white elephant-ness of my pig) an uncle Sam candle holder (kinda cute). The hostess observed that this group didn't seem to "get" white elephant. Others noted that it was a trash/treasure thing. Maybe this is the problem with an upscale neighborhood? Treasury trash?

Anyway, the pressure is off to come up with a good white elephant for next year. I have one--already wrapped, so can bide my time. Till then, will laugh knowing that people actually wanted the pig and the purse they took home this year!!

Yultide joy?

It is the 16th. The tree has been sitting there looking "lit" for a week--and I make myself go get the ornaments boxes. M had shown up yesterday, and there was a brief hope of help, but she has flitted off again, forgetting that this might be "fun"--or maybe deciding that it would not be as "fun" as her plans.

E. has always wanted a "matching" tree (ironic if you knew her), like the ones in the department stores, with all the same ornaments, perfectly spaced lights, and festooned with matching adornments. I like my tree better, although nothing matches. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and it is not the tree or the ornaments that I find beautiful, but the memories attached to each ornament.

I start with the carefully wrapped treasures--feather flamingo from my friend J. representing the now quarter- century long "joke" we have shared, an angel in a tiny snow globe from my "angel" friend at work, carefully and beautifully embroidered German balls from our friends there, beaded bells and candy canes that T. had strung together. There were reindeers (several) crafted in second grade by various of the 4. (One needed his eye glued back on). There were intricately stitched ornaments--one for each year, for each of the four--depicting something related to their self (how did I find the time?). E. has several skater ornaments. D has an adorable cub scout as cute as he was, M. is beaming at me as her most precouscious and photogenic self from a 5 year- olds hand cut construction paper bell- lamnated, name carefully lettered on the back in her kindergarten handwriting. There are several J. trains, as he loved them then. There is the drummer boy from 1988 because D. was really one then. There is an over- the- river- and- through- the- woods shiny metal ornament from 1977, from the "B "s, when we could go to grandmother's house, although it was in a Mazda, not a sleigh.

The years fly by, and I enjoy the thoughts of "them"--both the years, and the children who filled our house with noise and love. Who fought, and squabbled, left fingerprints and glow in the dark glop on our walls, and filled our days with laughter, frustrations, and busyness that I can't even imagine keeping up with now! Thoughts of all the special people in our lives who have over the years, contributed to this collection that adorns our tree.

There is the goofy poodle satin ball and pompom ornament crafted by Aunt H. There are the ornate pearl, bead, sequin creations of Aunt L., looking inspired by her trips to Europe, as these would be more in place in a palace than they were in the modest downriver homes or our origins. There is the obnoxius Pointsettia that sings "rockin around the Xmas tree" from Aunt L2--always a fan of the obnoxious and battery operated. Individually, they are strange, ugly, odd, homemade, tacky, old, unusual, or over the top--but I like them, not for themselves, but for the lives lived they represent.

There is a layer from my youth..mostly ceremic..angels, skiing santas, Mrs. Clauss. I can remember being little, and putting these on my parent's tree.....There are the sequin and tassle balls crafted by grandma F in HER favorite color- tourquoise! There are crochet mice and wreaths, bird feeders made of medicine cups, and winter scenes from discarded holiday cards glued into a canning jar lid by a first grader years ago. There are several "Make it bake it" ornaments, carefully baked by little ones spending the day with Grandma B.

I mist up thinking of those who are not around to wish a happy holiday anymore--I miss the "Scrooge" act, and the egg nog, the burbon balls and fudge meltaways, the krispy treats and wild morning treck from house to house.... The tabacco smell that had permeated even the wrapped gifts... and later, the boxes from Florida. The large extended family gatherings, where people often had a hard time being "nice" for the whole time, and the food was good, although often tepid by the time time we all sat down.

So now we move forward with 2006. New ornaments for this year purchased in fancy botiques, not child-made or home-made, for that is where our lives are now. An acorn, a glass bird, a snowman...to add to the collection and the memories.

I never want my tree to be "matching"......sorry E. Some day you may understand!