Without the wind, the morning doesn’t feel quite so cold. My gloves stay in my pocket. The dogs feel no rush to get back inside. The whine of jets carrying holiday passengers sounds as though we live at the airport. Without the wind, 36 degrees doesn’t chill the bones. Wearing my heaviest coat seems excessive. Leaves look as though they’re glued to the ground. No one else is moving around. The world seems to be on vacation, without the wind.
“Snow coming,” warns the alert at the bottom of my monitor.
Do you believe in cease-fires? Toys from Santa may be the safer bet. As families gather under the guise of giving thanks, one wonders who will be the first to fill their mouths with unkind words rather than turkey and mashed potatoes. Some families require signing contracts before admission is given. One spouse threatens the other not to disturb the peace. The air is tense as conversation struggles. Football unites us better than familial bonds.
“You’re not invited,” sounds too much like “No one wants you.”
Simple drinks work the best. Can there be too many pies? What do you mean you don’t like leftovers? Fragrances carried on warm air from a hot oven stir automatic responses in our brains. There aren’t enough chairs for the table that doesn’t exist. Sit in the shadows. Chew quietly. Did we think this year would be any different? Don’t give your table scraps to the dog. Clean your plate and no one asks any questions.
“I need a nap” is holiday code for “I’m tired of dealing with these people.”
We’ll celebrate today so that others can celebrate tomorrow. Take out yesterday’s trash so that there’s room for today’s. Are we being thankful for the abundance or showing off our excess? Don’t wash the turkey. Wear gloves when handling the food. The meal will be ready around 4:00. Try to be awake.
Without the wind, the morning doesn’t feel quite so cold. My gloves stay in my pocket. The dogs feel no rush to get back inside. The whine of jets carrying holiday passengers sounds as though we live at the airport. Without the wind, 36 degrees doesn’t chill the bones. Wearing my heaviest coat seems excessive. Leaves look as though they’re glued to the ground. No one else is moving around. The world seems to be on vacation, without the wind.
“Snow coming,” warns the alert at the bottom of my monitor.
Do you believe in cease-fires? Toys from Santa may be the safer bet. As families gather under the guise of giving thanks, one wonders who will be the first to fill their mouths with unkind words rather than turkey and mashed potatoes. Some families require signing contracts before admission is given. One spouse threatens the other not to disturb the peace. The air is tense as conversation struggles. Football unites us better than familial bonds.
“You’re not invited,” sounds too much like “No one wants you.”
Simple drinks work the best. Can there be too many pies? What do you mean you don’t like leftovers? Fragrances carried on warm air from a hot oven stir automatic responses in our brains. There aren’t enough chairs for the table that doesn’t exist. Sit in the shadows. Chew quietly. Did we think this year would be any different? Don’t give your table scraps to the dog. Clean your plate and no one asks any questions.
“I need a nap” is holiday code for “I’m tired of dealing with these people.”
We’ll celebrate today so that others can celebrate tomorrow. Take out yesterday’s trash so that there’s room for today’s. Are we being thankful for the abundance or showing off our excess? Don’t wash the turkey. Wear gloves when handling the food. The meal will be ready around 4:00. Try to be awake.
It’s only Wednesday.
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