Trash or Treasure

I spent an hour or so in the attic today surveying a quarter-century's collection of stuff. In theory, I was organizing the Christmas decoration space, but in reality, I was quickly overwhelmed by so many possessions. I want to declutter and downsize, but.

Later, I took Lucy for a walk in the neighborhood, and it just so happened that tomorrow is large-item pickup day for one of our neighboring communities. As we walked, I examined the items that folks were discarding. In just a few blocks, I saw a gas grill, a kitchen island, a vacuum, two Christmas tree stands, several couches and chairs, a mattress with sheets and pillows still on it, some vintage end tables, a bunch of bookcases, pictures, posters, mirrors, and clothes. As the full moon rose, residents were still dragging their discards to the piles forming on every corner. Others were scrutinizing the forsaken possessions as well, many in cars or trucks, and I watched as the grill and the vacuum were loaded into vehicles and taken away.

A little further up the street, as one guy dropped a load, a woman passing by gasped. "You're throwing that away?"

"Please take it!" he said sheepishly as she examined the large cast-iron braiser and lid. "It's a great pan! It's only been used three times, but it's just too big. I don't have any place to keep it." He shook his head sadly. "I would feel so much better if I knew someone else wanted it."

"Thank you!" She told him and smiled at her good fortune as she carried her treasure away.

Meanwhile, he returned to his house for another batch of stuff.

We'll See on March 15

We revived a New Year's tradition and went to a movie this morning. The earliest show we could find was 11:45, and although the lobby and concession stand were busy when we arrived, our theater was sparsely seated and remained so for the movie. No matter, though, halfway through Song Sung Blue, I leaned over to Heidi with a big lump in my throat. "She's going to win the Oscar this," I whispered.

I stand by my prediction! And Kate Hudson's nomination will likely fill some seats.

Last Blast of Holiday Spirit

It was crowded at the grocery store this afternoon, but despite being shoulder to shoulder in several of the aisles, all our fellow shoppers were in good spirits. Later, as we checked out, I asked the cashier about her day. "It's been busy!" she confirmed, but then added, "I like it though! Everyone is happy for the holidays!"

Bird's Eye

The wind had come up, and the temperature had dropped as we made our way home from running errands late yesterday afternoon. Above us, thousands of crows wheeled this way and that in the gale, strewn beneath gray clouds as if someone had tossed a handful of pepper into the sky.

"Do you think they like it when they fly in the wind like that?" I asked Heidi. "Is it exhilarating or is it a struggle?"

She shrugged pensively.

"It's so stunning to see," I said. "I hope it's as thrilling to perform."

Against My Better Judgment

I didn't look carefully at the theater map when I selected our seats.

And so when we sat down three rows from the screen in a traditional, non-recliner theater, we had to crane our necks to take in the whole screen. As the previews elapsed and the feature's start grew nearer, Heidi and I both looked around for a couple of empty seats a little further from the screen that we could nab. 

When we saw a bunch in the very back row, I was tempted, but I insisted on checking my app first to see if they had been reserved. Luck was on our side, but it was still with some hesitance that I followed Heidi to slip quietly back there as the lights dimmed. 

Wouldn't you know it? A couple of minutes into the movie, a group of five trooped into the theater, using their phones as flashlights and noisily checking their paper stubs for their assigned seats. Of course, we were in them, and we fessed up right away to avoid further confusion and distraction from the movie. 

"No worries!" boomed the mom when we whispered our apologies for taking the unclaimed seats. "I do that all the time!" We crossed our fingers and took the last seats at the end of the row, and as her kids trooped up and down the stairs every ten minutes or so, I could certainly believe it.

2025 Christmas Cookies In and Out

In: 

Mandelbrot, 3 batches (light and crispy, never too sweet)

Out:

Rugelach, 0 batches (very conflicted feelings about this)

Holding steady:

Russian Teacakes, 2 batches (always a comforting favorite)

On the rise:

Clementine curd thumbprints, 2 batches (enthusiastic reception)

New this year:

Chocolate peppermint chip, 1 batch (Heidi loved them!)

Duck Tale

“Traditionally, the youngest at the table gets to eat the brains,” Julie said as she passed the platter of tea smoked duck. "So be careful, because the whole duck is on this platter."

We laughed and pointed at Treat. 

“And the most honored person--” she continued. 

“How do we determine that?” Bill interrupted. 

“It’s usually the oldest,” she answered. 

“That’s me!” I cried gleefully. 

“You get the butt,” she laughed, taking the platter from Victor. “Let me find it.” 

I looked at my plate. “You mean the tail?”

She nodded. 

“Don’t worry,” I said. “I already have it!”