Merry Christmas!

Circa 1990.

A Real Book

I read a real book this week.
That makes three books that I have read for pleasure since I started graduate school- one during orientation, one at Thanksgiving, and one over Christmas break. How sad is that? I have a whole stack of books that I'm looking forward to reading over the next five weeks. I have to make up for lost time you know.

I really like Rowland's books. They are quick reads about a detective in Samari Japan. Once again, she did not disappoint. My only complaint would be that she seems to be moving more towards the supernatural in her last few books. I prefer the more realistic plot lines.

I just started Mrs. Kimball by Jennifer Haigh. I'm having some trouble getting into it. I have to finish Christmas shopping and do some baking, so the rest of it will probably be postponed until the flight to San Francisco.

Good Article

Era of Our Ways

Remember

Remember when you were this excited about Christmas?

Me, Christmas 1985.

We were hit with a nasty snow and ice storm last night. I am almost relieved that I have this final paper as an excuse to keep me inside, under several quilts, with a space heater next to me.

We are going to put up the Christmas tree this afternoon. I have not even started Christmas shopping, never mind any sort of baking or crafting. I miss when Christmas was a joy, not a chore. I would love to have this week to do nothing more than get ready for Christmas and enjoy the season. I would love to go sledding, drink lots of hot cocoa and spiced cider, decorate cookies, knit, make the advent calender I have been dying to create, watch all the old Christmas movies, make hand made cards, find our collection of Christmas books and read them, listen to only Christmas music, and generally just take it all in. I cannot do that, so instead, my goal is to do one of those things each day. Today is decorating. Maybe by next week I will feel like that <- again.

Generally...

I prefer to drive forwards. That seems to be the least preferred direction, after backwards, sideways, and circular, in my neighborhood. Ah, I arrive home just in time for a big snowstorm.

You know you are procrastinating when voluntarily shoveling snow beats reading the book for your last final...

Don't worry, a Mitchell Report report is coming soon. Maybe I'll even do more than skim it for names before I write. Or maybe not, depending on how the alternative driving styles competition continues outside my window.