My eldest daughter "E" has been playing
Christmas ditties for weeks on end. All
to the chagrin of her significant other and
to the joy of my granddaughter "M." I'm
more than a Scrooge when it comes to
tolling early glad tidings. After eons in
the retail arena, I can't abide even a hint
of anything Christmas before today. For
me Thanksgiving ends all things autumn
and officially kicks off the holidays. If
thats due to Santa's arrival in Macy's
parade or whatever, I'm ready to jingle
my bells and deck my halls. Ho ho ho!
One of the greatest blessings about living
in rural Montana is that "Black Friday"
is totally blacked out - non existent. Yes,
our Tru Value and Ace Hardware stores
stack out some deals. And the Shopko
busts open it's doors early. But if you feel
the need to shop till you drop, one must
drive two hours either way to the big city
to bag a bargain. That's why most locals
completely ignore this urban phenomena.
Instead we unpack the decorations, gather
as families, and pig out on leftovers. Isn't
that better than fighting the crowds?!
Provided it doesn't snow, this afternoon
we'll head up to the hills and to Frank's
family cabin to cut our Christmas tree.
While seemingly an easy task, selecting
said bush is more intimidating than what
most experience on a tree lot. That may
be due to the fact that your options are
endless! After trudging through the snow
one usually tires and opts for whatever
tree is nearest. In the end which one you
bring home doesn't matter given all are
fresher than anything city slickers can
get. Soft, subtle, and fabulously fragrant!
Tonight is the Lewistown Holiday
Stroll. Main Street is closed off and
bon fires glow down it's center. We
all pop in and out of shops to stay
warm, nibble on cookies, and buy
a gift or two. Starting tonight, even
this Scrooge likes to hear carolers.
The polar opposite of the morning's
mania, this evening is truly a local
treasure. Proof that the blessings of
living in a small town far exceed
any benefits of an urban existence.
It's about as real as life gets...
Do I miss Manhattan? I'd be a liar
if I said I didn't. Not being able to
gaze at Bergdorf's windows makes
me sad. How can anything match
the magic of promenading towards
the tree at Rockefeller Center? At
times I almost forget the hordes of
tourists, inability to book a table at
any restaurant, or waiting an hour
for a box and some ribbon. In truth
I miss the fantasy - but absolutely
not the reality of Christmas and
Hanukah in the city. Bah humbug!
Fortunately I don't need many gifts this
year. My youngest daughter "M" and
"D" return home to Chicago tomorrow.
We've spent the past days enjoying each
other's company and hence, who could
ask for anything more? Well... there is
one more thing that I've wanted for a
very long time. All I want for Christmas
is complete and unconditional love in a
box. My hope is that Frank plans to wrap
up something furry for under our tree.
No bull, after years of begging Santa
I'm ready! But that's another blog...