I couldn't agree more, Jo. I like the idea of books only as presents. But a day settling down with a book for me would be bliss. Particularly how my ‘steam’ fire is working again. They are very effective. It hasn’t all Christmas period. My house maybe very old but they took the chimney down in my part so I can't have a real fire.
I wouldn't ruin the period for families and those who enjoy Christmas. I just want a different way of having my day that people accept is ok. Xxx
I'm sorry to hear about your losses. I have the same feelings towards Christmas after having loss in my life. As I get older, I find my main concern is just to be kind to myself. Many don't understand this, but it does help me to cope. This is the first time I have come across your substack and I really enjoyed reading it.
Thank you so much Jennifer and welcome to my eclectic Substack. Loss and grief is such a strange beast. We are never the same in how we grieve, other for us all it is difficult to accommodate. You are spot on being kind to ourselves is key Not always the easiest thing to do. Those of us that are grieving need to do it our way. Xxxxxx
A photo and a quick video of a happy Lab are a very nice fit for the holidays and bring back good memories of my own dogs. Thank you for sharing Humphrey ‘s tail wag.
Hello Jo! I've just found you on here and what you say rings true with me. This year we've been away to young family who "do" the Christmas traditions but some years we stay at home and I prefer to enjoy a period of acknowledging the midwinter and absolutely reading or knitting by the fire after the dog walk is a big part of this, but I bring greenery into the house - holly, ivy, evergreen branches - and mark the "turning of the year". Here in northern Scotland the days getting longer doesn't seem to have any noticeable impact for another couple of weeks yet so Solstice itself is less remarkable. I'd call it a "season" of thankfulness, peace and acceptance of what you are thus far.
Thank you Linda, I love the idea of turning the year. I agree about the season of thankfulness, peace and acceptance. I would add a time to reflect and be allowed to be sad that is what you need m. Xxx
So far, Christmas is still a treasured holiday, in which I wrap myself in my beliefs and quietly rejoice while those around me color it in their own way. The hit of family gift giving was a black Santa hat that said Bah Humbug for the kids' dad. One day, I imagine, I will be in the position of my in-laws with kids scattered far and wide and celebrating at home alone. They, at least, still have each other. I wonder what it will be like for me then? I wish my usually creative mind would come up with some alternative, but it hasn't. I suppose for me, when the time comes, rather than being surrounded by gifts I will be surrounded by nativities that represent various phases of my life. I hope that will be enough for me. So, I suppose, the big question is, what do you want from the holiday or what are you looking to get from it, if anything at all? My daughter does not get the same warm, fuzzy I get, so she has thrown in Krampus as an alternate to Santa Clause. Then there are my Jewish friends who ignore it and focus on their own religious traditions. Being in California, I have plenty of friends who steep themselves in Solstice celebrations. There are others who make this a time of giving and spend their time in shelters or dining rooms serving those without. While it takes a tough hide to ignore the decorations, songs and ads that society throws at us, we still have the power to make it what we want it to be. May peace and strength be yours in the coming New Year!
I couldn’t agree more, Jo. I find Christmas tough. It’s over commercialised and I wonder about the true meaning. I would happily pass it by altogether.
I feel like that too, but then there is pressure to do something. It’s the what I wonder about. Maybe we need to meet half way next year to do something 😁
How about for Christmas '24 you just leave the word itself from your thoughts, writing, and conversation. Christmas is also a word that bothers me. But, however you handle it, let it be your way and no one else's unless there is something that grabs your attention.
I hope the new year is better than this year. We all have to be strong. This will be a year of questionable results and it all depends on how we, the human race, handle it. For me, I want the conflicts to end, for men in high position to grow up and listen to us for a change instead of their monstrous greed. There are more of us, the common folks, than there are of them. Hatred must come to an end or we will lose.
Bless you, Jo. I appreciate so much your grasp of being old and how you place many choices in front of yourself before deciding what's best for you.
Thank you for a year of lovely, thought-provoking musings Jo. I’m looking forward to reading more of them 2024 and very much hope that the new year brings good things for you. xx
Thank you so much Mel for such a lovely comment and for continuing to support my ramblings. I hope 2024 New Year brings you lots of lovely interesting and fun things. Xxx
I'm sorry to hear about your losses. I have the same feelings towards Christmas after having loss in my life. As I get older, I find my main concern is just to be kind to myself. Many don't understand this, but it does help me to cope. This is the first time I have come across your substack and I really enjoyed reading it.
I couldn't agree more, Jo. I like the idea of books only as presents. But a day settling down with a book for me would be bliss. Particularly how my ‘steam’ fire is working again. They are very effective. It hasn’t all Christmas period. My house maybe very old but they took the chimney down in my part so I can't have a real fire.
I wouldn't ruin the period for families and those who enjoy Christmas. I just want a different way of having my day that people accept is ok. Xxx
I'm sorry to hear about your losses. I have the same feelings towards Christmas after having loss in my life. As I get older, I find my main concern is just to be kind to myself. Many don't understand this, but it does help me to cope. This is the first time I have come across your substack and I really enjoyed reading it.
Thank you so much Jennifer and welcome to my eclectic Substack. Loss and grief is such a strange beast. We are never the same in how we grieve, other for us all it is difficult to accommodate. You are spot on being kind to ourselves is key Not always the easiest thing to do. Those of us that are grieving need to do it our way. Xxxxxx
A photo and a quick video of a happy Lab are a very nice fit for the holidays and bring back good memories of my own dogs. Thank you for sharing Humphrey ‘s tail wag.
My other one, Mildred is as eccentric and beautiful 😁😁
Hello Jo! I've just found you on here and what you say rings true with me. This year we've been away to young family who "do" the Christmas traditions but some years we stay at home and I prefer to enjoy a period of acknowledging the midwinter and absolutely reading or knitting by the fire after the dog walk is a big part of this, but I bring greenery into the house - holly, ivy, evergreen branches - and mark the "turning of the year". Here in northern Scotland the days getting longer doesn't seem to have any noticeable impact for another couple of weeks yet so Solstice itself is less remarkable. I'd call it a "season" of thankfulness, peace and acceptance of what you are thus far.
Thank you Linda, I love the idea of turning the year. I agree about the season of thankfulness, peace and acceptance. I would add a time to reflect and be allowed to be sad that is what you need m. Xxx
We definitely need to make it less consumerist and a feast of gluttony.
A hearty soup and homemade bread would do it better for me. New traditions, perhaps books as the only gifts, and settling down by the fire to read.
With my first case of covid as my excuse, I did not bake Christmas cookies this year.
So far, Christmas is still a treasured holiday, in which I wrap myself in my beliefs and quietly rejoice while those around me color it in their own way. The hit of family gift giving was a black Santa hat that said Bah Humbug for the kids' dad. One day, I imagine, I will be in the position of my in-laws with kids scattered far and wide and celebrating at home alone. They, at least, still have each other. I wonder what it will be like for me then? I wish my usually creative mind would come up with some alternative, but it hasn't. I suppose for me, when the time comes, rather than being surrounded by gifts I will be surrounded by nativities that represent various phases of my life. I hope that will be enough for me. So, I suppose, the big question is, what do you want from the holiday or what are you looking to get from it, if anything at all? My daughter does not get the same warm, fuzzy I get, so she has thrown in Krampus as an alternate to Santa Clause. Then there are my Jewish friends who ignore it and focus on their own religious traditions. Being in California, I have plenty of friends who steep themselves in Solstice celebrations. There are others who make this a time of giving and spend their time in shelters or dining rooms serving those without. While it takes a tough hide to ignore the decorations, songs and ads that society throws at us, we still have the power to make it what we want it to be. May peace and strength be yours in the coming New Year!
I couldn’t agree more, Jo. I find Christmas tough. It’s over commercialised and I wonder about the true meaning. I would happily pass it by altogether.
I feel like that too, but then there is pressure to do something. It’s the what I wonder about. Maybe we need to meet half way next year to do something 😁
What a wonderful idea! Let’s do that.
Definitely! Xx
How about for Christmas '24 you just leave the word itself from your thoughts, writing, and conversation. Christmas is also a word that bothers me. But, however you handle it, let it be your way and no one else's unless there is something that grabs your attention.
I hope the new year is better than this year. We all have to be strong. This will be a year of questionable results and it all depends on how we, the human race, handle it. For me, I want the conflicts to end, for men in high position to grow up and listen to us for a change instead of their monstrous greed. There are more of us, the common folks, than there are of them. Hatred must come to an end or we will lose.
Bless you, Jo. I appreciate so much your grasp of being old and how you place many choices in front of yourself before deciding what's best for you.
Do have a pleasant New Years.
Thank you for a year of lovely, thought-provoking musings Jo. I’m looking forward to reading more of them 2024 and very much hope that the new year brings good things for you. xx
Thank you so much Mel for such a lovely comment and for continuing to support my ramblings. I hope 2024 New Year brings you lots of lovely interesting and fun things. Xxx
I'm sorry to hear about your losses. I have the same feelings towards Christmas after having loss in my life. As I get older, I find my main concern is just to be kind to myself. Many don't understand this, but it does help me to cope. This is the first time I have come across your substack and I really enjoyed reading it.