By Elizabeth Prata
It's been a quiet holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's. During the time between Thanksgiving and December 16 at school, it was extremely busy and extremely tiring. It seems to me that each year gets busier, just as we get older and have less energy to deal with the busy-ness. Maybe that's just me.
Our school break began on December 16th at 1:00 to be precise! I zoomed home after getting holiday groceries and settled in for some good reading and tv watching and napping, all the things I love to do at home.
I have three happy memories of the 2 weeks off that I'd like to share. The best part of the Christmas break began that very night. Our church ladies do an annual get-together at a friend's house for Christmas cookie decorating. You bake some cookies at home and bring them to decorate. Icing and decorative doo-dads like beeads or sprinkles or glitter are provided. I had a lovely time chatting with friends, having cider or hot chocolate, relaxing with the expanse of the two weeks off in front of me. Ahhh, bliss. I don't eat cookies or decorate cookies but I sipped and lounged and laughed with those who did. The ladies of my church are tremendous and I love them.
My next great memory from the 2 weeks off was Christmas Eve service. A simple service amid glowing decorations, hearty singing, and an earnest message. Just right. Worshiping is the best!
I had turned 62 so at the tail end of the break I was eligible for a half price discount for an Annual State Parks pass. I went, bought it and began my new year with a walk in the woods. I loved that even in December and even after that spate of bitter icy below zero cold we'd just had, not only had the weather rebounded to the 60s, but there were fresh green ferns lining the trail. I love that there are birds and greenery in Georgia even in deep winter.
The trail walk came at the end of a photo expedition to a rural, historic area I took in the car. Twenty minutes from home is a covered bridge in a really pretty part of the county. I drove around, saw the bridge, snapped pics of some of the historic churches on the way, and came up upon the Park, which also has a historic covered bridge. It was a great day, sunny, warm, with interesting things to see and do. I really like living here, you know.
I did have a nice haul at the thrift store, one of which was a paperback called Ender's Game. It's a highly rated sci-fi book. I finished my Oregon Trail book, another good one. And chose the books to read for my G3 2023 Reading Challenge. All in all, it was a great brak.
Tomorrow is back to school for a teacher workday, then Wednesday the kids return. I won't complain or grouse, I have a relaxing time off after all. But I will say, if this is a taste of retirement, then goodness, come soon, retirement!
No comments:
Post a Comment