We have been busy– Thanksgiving with the family was an event–
Of course this is the calm before the storm– everyone serves up plates in the kitchen. One son-in-law fried a turkey and not only did he keep his eyebrows, but it tasted delicious. Another son-in-law baked apple pies. Chip made the ice cream. When I checked in with the local daughters about the meal, Sarah said Brian wanted to fry the turkey. He is a biologist and very into this sort of thing. I understand it involved injections of marinade or brine as well as high temperatures in some sort of a machine out on their porch. It only took 2 1/2 hours to roast instead of all day. It was sort of a miracle and very good.
I told my daughter Stojanka I’d buy her pies from the Headstart bake sale at Howser’s IGA the day before, as that seemed a win-win, since she needed to bake for the annual fundraiser and we needed a proven dessert. (She is a fine baker), and then she said she was subbing at school all week and so her husband Nels would bake them. “He’d like to learn how…” They were great too. Some traditions are about to change around here.
I was also hoping the family would bake cookies for the library holiday open house the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but life got in the way– including dance and basketball practices for the granddaughters– and their mothers ( they play on a women’s team) — and luckily, providentially, many other cooks brought both sweet and savory treats so we Friends of the Library (I’m on the board) had plenty. The kids danced to “Jingle Bell Rock”, the Women’s Choir sang even though our director Nancy Nash (73) was in a boot because she sprained her ankle playing flag football on Thanksgiving– and the Davis family harmonies were divine. The giant spruce tree squeezes into the library like a ship in a bottle, and this year all the magic was done by the librarian, Reba, with a lot of help from her brother Wendell and their elves.
I know, it’s not even December yet, but it’s so dark now– we are in the six-hours-of-daylight times as we roll– or actually blow — with gales and single digits— toward the 21st and Solstice. It’s the time when we need those twinkle lights and candles. I like December because it really does make you think about dark and light– real and proverbial–my insides, my heart, are very close to the surface. Some of that may have to do with the handling of so much meat from Chip’s recent deer hunt.
Yesterday, I was in my muscles class when we women got to talking about the season, and the people we love and the ones we miss, and the anniversary of the terrible weather event and landslide that took Jenae and David from us, and EMT Phil too- right afterwards, and then Johnny up in Klukwan. It changed us. “Sit with your grief”, Marnie said between circuits of weights and sit-ups. Make time to look at it, feel it, and then set it somewhere for a bit. In church on Sunday we heard the collect about wearing the armor of light this season. I love that. I was the youngest person so I lit the first Advent candle. (It should be a child, per our tradition.) Still, we laughed for what we have, rather than cry about what we don’t. And we have so much- just being here is plenty.
The whole family is coming for the holidays– all five children, their partners, and 12 grandchildren will be here– and I’m crazy with anticipation. I hope that it won’t warm up and rain. (I really want more snow.)— And that no one will get sick. And that there will be enough towels, and that the garage- turned- guest house will be finished in time or else we will need to sleep on the floor in the living room. I bought the second to last Queen size mattress for the new place at Miles Furntiure on Friday. Pete and Joan bought the last one. Pete was on it when I chose it, and he said it was perfect, so here’s hoping he’s right. Chip just stuck his head in the door and reported: “The woodstove is on the hearth!” — There will be heat over there. Thank God. (Or actually, Coleman, Joe, Mike and Jason who are doing all the work.) Also, somehow I have ended up in the holiday play wearing a dog suit…
There is so much to do– but first the fresh deer meat has to be wrapped and frozen.
While I was picking up 100 more vacuum seal bags for the deerburger Chip ground up, I visited with the mayor. (It’s his store.) I thanked him for his work, and confessed that sometimes this town is hard to live in, and yet all I have is here. It’s a challenge some days, for all kinds of reasons. I was surprised by my tears. He was emotional too– I’m glad we know each other well. I am also glad that I live in a place where a trip to the store turns into a moment that means something. Like Rabbi Heschel said– when he was young he admired intelligence above most personal attributes, but as he aged kindness took the top spot. Kindness is the root of gratitude. There’s a lot of kindness in this world. Remember that. Show it.
(I know this is all over the place, but I’m a bit rusty, and I am in a hurry fueled by busy-worry, so forgive me. I missed you and wanted to touch bases, and figure something is better than nothing. Thank you for helping me to pause. I appreciate it. I will be shorter next time, and more organized.)
