To Spike

As I was writing my Festivus post, I realized that yesterday was the ninth anniversary of Spike's death, and I didn't think of it yesterday.

I feel guilty about that. On the other hand, it's more important to remember Spike's life than his death. It's not like we forgot about him. 

We will always love and miss him. 

Happy Festivus!

It's for the rest of us. This holiday is based on a family's tradition and was immortalized in a Seinfeld episode. Here's our own Festivus pole; it's now part of our holiday decorations. 

Winter is Here

The winter solstice was yesterday: the beginning of winter, and it snowed. Actually, it started snowing on Friday. Today was the coldest day of the season to date. I don't like winter. I don't think I minded it that much before. But now I worry about falling and breaking a bone--thank you old age.

Let's look at the bright side. It's going to warm up over the next few days. It's almost Christmas. Each day will become lighter. Yesterday, my neighbor's boyfriend cleared the snow off my car.

Think of the positive.

Time Management and Prioritizing

I used to think I was good at time management. Either I lost that skill or I was delusional about it. I know I'm not good at time management now. Just one example, I intended to write this post over a week ago. Instead of seizing the day, I'm just living the day passively, letting it pass me by.

This is nothing new--I should have addressed it by now. There's been a few positive steps. I'm getting up earlier. I'm avoiding my phone: i.e. my New York Times word games first thing in the morning. Instead, I've been journaling.

I know it's not nearly enough, but it's something.

Book 27: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

I've heard of this book and the movie, but nothing I heard made much of an impression on me. In the past year or so, I read a comment on a blog about the book. Later I saw it at a book sale, but bypassed it. Last month at another book sale, I bought it.

It took me a while to get into the book, but I enjoyed it. I'm glad I didn't know more about the plot. I didn't know where the story would take me, but I never doubted that Francie would survive and thrive. 

Smith writes in incredible detail that gives a complete picture of Francie's life in the Brooklyn slums in the early 20th century. Here are a few examples: Francie and her brother Neeley, as well as the other neighborhood children collect rags, paper, metal, and rubber for a trip to the junkie, who pays them pennies, adding another if a girl submits to a pinch on the cheek. Francie and Neeley put a half of any money they earn into the family's tin can bank nailed to the floor of a dark corner of their closet.

I especially related to Francie because of her love of reading and her desire to become a writer.

Unseasonably Warm

We've had several unseasonably cold days since Thanksgiving. Yesterday was unseasonably warm--a welcome change. Temperatures flirted with 60 degrees. 

I took Jace to the Wilton branch of the Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT)--the east side of Route 7. We walked from the parking lot on Autumn Ridge Road to the current end of the trail on Skunk Lane.

We live about two blocks from part of the NRVT here in Norwalk. We walk part of the trail several times each week. But I wanted to give Jace a special walk for a change.  It's been a long time, and it's always good for him to see a new place (or a place he hasn't been for a while) and enjoy new scents. 

We both enjoyed our walk. 

A Wet Wednesday

I'm glad for the rain today because we're still in a drought. I have to admit, however, that it complicates my dog walking schedule. This morning Jace and I got in a 45 minute walk during a break in the rain. I attempted to do that at midday, relying on the weather forecast on my phone. I wore my raincoat and still got soaked. Poor Jace. I didn't put his raincoat on, and felt like the worst mom ever. Even if Jace doesn't seem to like his raincoat, he is much more agreeable to a coat than Spike ever was.

I originally planned to go to the gym today, but decided to go tomorrow and Friday instead. I thought today would be a good opportunity to get some things done around the house. Well, that didn't happen. I mostly vegged. I guess we all need that kind of day sometime.

Two weeks until Christmas. 

I ordered a dinner from Balducci's (beef tenderloin, salad, fingerling potatoes, and green beans) for Christmas Eve. Jim is coming over. On Christmas Day, it's just Jeff and me (and Jace of course.) Maybe we'll have leftovers. I decided a few years ago that it was too much to prep two fancy dinners in a row (even though I'm just reheating, not cooking, on Christmas Eve.) Part of me misses the big family Christmases. Another part of me relishes the quieter holidays. Another example of my Gemini nature.