Greetings Friends, Colleagues, Acquaintances, Passersby and Alien Onlookers, (Who knows? Could be. I remember rehearsing a part of the Madwoman of Chaillot where the line was something like, “Just because you don’t see other people around you doesn’t mean they’re not there.” I always liked that line. It allows for parallel universes, spirits, ghostly types, foremothers and forefathers to be keeping you company. I think other religions and cultures pay more attention to this concept than the Nordic Lutheranism that I was raised with. Something to ponder this holiday season.)

Thank you all for the cheery birthday greetings for the hubster. He was mystified by the turnout. And, if you know him, it’s a good thing for him to be mystified every once in awhile.

I try my best to do this on a regular basis.

We are going to celebrate hopefully with a storm on Lake Superior. Not your usual birthday fare, but then the hubster is not usual.

Usually.

He has always wanted to be on Lake Superior in the middle of a storm, channeling his inner salty sea captain. When we were younger I researched getting him berth on an ore boat travelling through the Great Lakes. At that time we couldn’t afford it.

Now, I just don’t want him out on that lake during a storm. Call me overly cautious, I’m just not willing to risk that. He’s always taking these risky hikes anyway.( Remember Kawaii when he nearly slipped down the muddy cliff hundreds of feet into the Pacific? And Mexico, when he was miles off course from the nearest village and ran into what he thought was a drug cartel meeting?)

And, for what it’s worth, we were out on Lake Superior during that huge storm that blew down so many trees in the BWCA in the late nineties. I knew we were in for trouble when the sky became black. Thankfully we were returning from backpack camping on Stockton, one of the Apostle Islands and the boat’s captain took shelter close to one of the other islands. That was more than enough Lake Superior stormage for me.

So, after reading a Brian Freeman book about a Duluth detective who lives out on Duluth’s Park Point, and shivering through his description of a nasty winter storm hitting that land spit, I realized that by judiciously choosing an appropriate early winter date I could give the hubster the experience of being on Lake Superior during a storm without him being on a ship.

Bingo!

I’ll let you know how it turns out.

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I wear muppet gloves. No, they’re not four fingered. But the fingers are short and fat and wearing them makes me feel muppety. I like that.

I buy a bigger size and then cut off the tips and re-sew them, just so I can wear them over my lymphedema glove and actually get a grip on the steering wheel.

They are the opposite of the elegant look of my mom’s hands in gloves. I had to give that up. It did make me sad at the time, but I have gotten over it.

Muppety it is.

Last week after a grocery trip, I was driving home and realized I didn’t have them. Oh bummer. I drove back to check the cart I had used, but it was already gone. A week later I thought about checking their lost and found.

And they were there!!!!!! It’s funny how something so small in the grand scheme of life can boost your spirits. Maybe that’s my holiday message from the Universe this year. Take joy in the small things.

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Here’s another aha! I was going to get rid of my curing irons because with my hair so short and thin, I often burned my scalp with an accidental bump.

This last year I just grew out my hair for something to do. And do you know what? I can curl my hair without burning my scalp now! This is something new to play with!!!

And speaking of learning new things, I realized a week ago that the hook on the chain on the tea ball of loose tea leaves fits into the teapot spout!!!!!! I had been trying to wrap it around the handle! I tell you, it’s those small things.

Oh, and on the topic of small things that can make a difference, I received a deck of cards from my good friend and soon to be DIL, Megan last year for Christmas. They’re called Queeng, and no I don’t know how to say that.

These cards are like a regular deck with a play fair difference in the face cards. Instead of the top cards being all kings and therefore all male, they are Monarches which allow for male and female top cards. Cool idea, right?

Then, next in line are the Duke and Duchess cards in place of the queens.

Lastly, instead of the jacks, they offer Princess and Prince cards.

Again, a small idea, but when you think about it, a HUGE change in thinking.

I’ve heard that the next iteration of these cards has multicultural rulers on all three levels. Again, a small shift which has GIANT repercussions.

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The whole time that I’ve been writing, I have been on hold with the insurance company. And it reminds me of when you moved to a new address in the good old days and needed to hook up all your gas, electric, garbage and especially your phone. Remember that? I recall someone saying that the phone company literally flipped a switch to start your service, but it took a phone call WITH A PERSON to set it up. And all those calls took the greater part of half a day to set up.

Now, I know that there are plenty of inconveniences to today’s tech; everyone’s got a story of woe.

However, the set up after you move has got to be easier. Let me know if it isn’t.

And Sabrina from the insurance company just called. What timing. She already has her tree and all her Christmas decorations set up. Way ahead of me.

Yes, I talk with insurance people on the phone.

Did this really surprise you??

Have a Wonderfully Warm and Lovely Thanksgiving. Hug those you love.

Enjoy eating together. Big hugs from me!!

Love,

Janet