"Elephant"

6 January 2026: Traditionally, I listen to New Yorker Fiction Podcast episodes while putting up and taking down the Christmas lights. I don't think I did in November when I put them up for this season, but that was a surreal afternoon. Regardless, I kept the tradition today when the lights came down, listening to Miriam Toews read Raymond Carver's "Elephant." 

What an interesting story this one is! It made me laugh and feel stressed. And then it takes a beautiful turn. And, like everything lately, it made me think of my dad. 

Christmas 2025

25 December 2025:

[Catch-up post...]

Muddled through somehow, as the song goes. Presents with my mom, church, a visit to the cemetery where Ryan is, a long, cold, windy walk (the only kind they are offering on LI these days, I guess), dinner at Tara's, Legos with Evan, then back to Palm Road for the Call the Midwife holiday episode. 

Christmas Eve 2025

24 December 2025: Long day filled with highs and lows and lots of big thoughts and feelings. Finding comfort and reassurance in these words...

Isaiah 9:6: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Mandatory holiday re-watch...

23 December 2025: 

This image (from Carol) gets me every time. (This capture doesn't do it justice.)

"Hard Candy Christmas"

22 December 2025: I know it's basic as heck, but my goodness, I've been singing this all day...

Wrapping "helper"...

20 December 2025: 

Lights...

28 November 2025: Over the course of hanging the Christmas lights today, I stopped and talked to all three of my siblings about our dad's condition. Later in the day, Jeff organized a conference call. It was comforting to all talk together, but my goodness: the reason is so sad. So yeah...another hard day. 

I can't imagine putting up any decorations this Christmas except these lights and I can't imagine not putting up these lights. All of that makes sense in my heart and my head. 

First year with the new landscaping and you can really see the lights so much better now. That makes me happy.

Jojo taking a peek here.

Every time my dad sees pictures of my lights, he says, "I like the colored lights." Just another way I am my father's daughter. 

Christmas: Part 2

29 December 2024: Hosted Erin and company, Tara and the boys, and my parents today for Christmas: Part 2. Pretty great time!

(this last one taken--obviously--shortly after everyone left)

Williamsburg with Mike and Allison

28 December 2024: On our way back home, Jane and I stopped in Colonial Williamsburg and met up with Mike and Allison. It was really nice to spend time with them, walking around the decorated town, having lunch, and catching up.  

(Bummed that I didn't get any pictures!)

Winterfest on the Wisconsin

27 December 2024:

[Catch-up post...]

Ducked away on a quick road trip with Jane down to Norfolk to go to Winterfest on the Wisconsin. Really charming, whimsical, and magical!

Christmas 2024

25 December 2024: Blessed to spend the day with Erin, Eric, and the girls (and the dogs, one of whom was insistent on some face-licking...).

Quiet and cozy...

24 December 2024: Last minute (impending weather that turned out to not be that bad) change of plans means no trip to NY this year. (It's okay because most of the family will be down here later this week.) 

So today has been quiet and cozy, just me and the girls. (BabyCat, who also lives here, is not pictured.)

Now it's Christmas...

22 December 2024: Realized I hadn't yet watched one important film in my personal Christmas canon. Remedying that now as I finish a letter of recommendation.

That's how you know...

16 December 2024: "'Hoe' is the antecendent."

That sentence, uttered by students explaining the lyrics of a song to me, is exactly how you know you are at a Sigma Tau Delta holiday party.

It was--for the first time since 2019--terrific to host them back here at the house. 

Fall 2024 Grading: DONE!

12 December 2024: Just hit "submit" on the final set of grades, always a good feeling, but it's even more special when I think about how it started (COVID), what came in the middle (the election, a student's death), and the aftermath of all of that. 

Unfortunately, there's still non-grade-related stuff I need to get done in the next couple of weeks. And the new semester starts pretty soon. So there's that.

But for now? Chair-dancing, of course!  

  

One day early...

30 November 2024: I usually wait until December 1, but figured I could use the light and joy a bit earlier this year, so all the Christmas decor (inside and out) went up today.

Here comes Christmas...

29 November 2024: After spending last night at the McNetts', it was quite nice to wake up and spend some time with them, including helping them decorate the tree. I think I'll put mine up tomorrow, a bit earlier than usual, but not much. Feels like we need all the light and joy we can muster.

Gifts with Jane

29 December 2023: One of the highlights of every holiday season is getting together with Jane to exchange gifts and just hang out for awhile. We talk about big ideas and all the serious stuff, but laugh our heads off, too. Never fails to hit the spot.

Christmas Eve 2023

24 December 2023: 

[Catch-up post...]

A couple of pictures from the nicest parts of the day...

"The Bleakening"

23 December 2023:

[Catch-up post]

Made to NY in pretty good time on Saturday. That evening, I was thrilled to introduce Krista and Isla to Bob's Burgers, specifically to "The Bleakening."