TARYTERRE

Winter is here. The neuropathy in my hands worsens with very cold weather. So I need something warm to comfort them. None of us wants frostbite. So we bundle up. I usually buy my gloves from antique or thrift stores. I prefer the selections there. They have character and are quite stylish, not to mention extremely affordable. And you never see yourself coming and going, the  gloves are unique. It’s been a while since I sought to purchase a new pair. But there was a large slit in my current ones that make them un-wearable. Because my mobility is limited, meandering through stores without scooters is difficult at best. So I tend to stick with the places that cater to the mobility impaired. As a result I was recently in Meijers. (Think Target or a fancier Walmart, clothing and groceries in one stop.)  Scooting past the accessories in the women’s department, I saw a pair of gloves that spoke to me. They literally called my name and yanked me right out of my seat. I was immediately smitten. I gingerly removed them from the rack and held them in my hands. I let them linger there for a few minutes. I visualized myself wearing them out and about. They were lovely. They were classic. It wasn’t a hard sell. These precious babies were coming home with me. Mark them SOLD. However, after I put them in my cart and headed to the register, it dawned on me to look at the price tag. Unfortunately the sticker price was a bit of a shock. They cost about $20. I then debated, whether or not to put them back. We live on Social Security. And, I’ve got medical bills piling up into next year. I really shouldn’t splurge. But all the family presents have been bought and delivered. Loved ones were taken care of. And so were the charities we love to contribute to. A local food bank, Heifer International, Juvenile Diabetes, the Arthritis Foundation, Red Cross and Rolling Dog Farm. My hubby and I typically just buy what we need at this time of year, instead of trying to find something for each other. So why I was thinking of denying myself this guilty pleasure… I didn’t understand? Truth be told gloves are a necessity. These were special, not utilitarian, though. Why not spoil myself? Then… a line I heard from a friend years ago, suddenly came to mind. She used to say, “If you don’t indulge yourself, every now and then, who will?” So… I took those words to heart with Christmas here. The gloves were mine. I won’t wrap them up and put them under the tree. But… I’ll immediately put them to good use, to embrace the cold, crisp air of the season… and give my poor hands some much needed relief. A special gift indeed.

Talk about awkward. I was in the grocery store searching for toilet paper. Stores here have empty shelves again. Frustrating for sure. Unsuccessful, I heaved my purse out of the cart and then it happened. Another 2020 moment of horror. My purse strap broke. I had no way to hold onto it, so it fell through my fingers crashing onto the floor. Things fell out scattering everywhere. It was so embarrassing. I scooped up what I could and skedaddled out of there as fast as I could. Fortunately the car was close by, so I sought refuge there, trying to figure out what to do next. The answer was right in front of me. A Goodwill store. I knew inside I could find a temporary handbag to hold my stuff. Taking my wallet inside, I scoured the walls looking for the purse rack. I couldn’t find it. I finally asked a worker where it was and she pointed me in the right direction. There appeared to be quite a selection. All marked $5.98 and some $2.98. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw two BRAND NEW, name brand, handbags in the mix, with tags. I grabbed them and headed to the checkout. They both were filled with compartments which is a prerequisite for any purse I buy. So I had hit pay dirt. For less than $10 I was back in business. I sat in the front seat of the van transferring everything from the broken purse into one of the new ones. And left the spare in the Goodwill bag. I was so relieved. Mission accomplished. But… this wasn’t the first time this happened to me. Years before… I had lost a strap on my purse when visiting the Biltmore Estate. Had to jerry rig it to get through the tour. It was very frustrating for sure. Have you ever had an embarrassing moment from a clothing or accessory malfunction?

Broken strap on old  one

             T'was a few weeks before Christmas,

And all through the town,

People wore masks,

That covered their frown.

 The frown had begun

Way back in the Spring,

When a global pandemic

Changed everything.

 They called it corona,

But unlike the beer,

It didn't bring good times,

It didn't bring cheer.

Contagious and deadly,

This virus spread fast,

Like a wildfire that starts

When fueled by gas.

 Airplanes were grounded,

Travel was banned.

Borders were closed

Across air, sea and land.

 

As the world entered lockdown

To flatten the curve,

The economy halted,

And folks lost their verve.

 

From March to July

We rode the first wave,

People stayed home,

They tried to behave.

 

When summer emerged

The lockdown was lifted.

But away from caution,

Many folks drifted.

 

Now it's December

And cases are spiking,

Wave two has arrived,

Much to our disliking.

 

Frontline workers,

Doctors and nurses,

Try to save people,

From riding in hearses.

 

This virus is awful,

This COVID-19.

There isn't a cure.

But, there is now a vaccine.

 

It's true that this year

Has had sadness a plenty,

We'll never forget

The year 2020.

 

And now-

The holiday season,

But why be merry?

Is there even one reason?

 

To decorate the house

And put up the tree,

When no one will see it,

No-one but me.

 

But outside my window

The snow gently falls,

And I think to myself,

Let's deck the halls!

 

So, I gather the ribbon,

The garland and bows,

As I play those old carols,

My happiness grows.

 

Christmas ain't cancelled

And neither is HOPE.

If we lean on each other,

I know we can COPE.

(wear your mask  & lets kick Covid19 outta of here)

I found this poem online. I had to tweak a few lines to make it current.

Author is unknown

I have all the Thanksgiving fixings ready to go… except for the oyster stuffing. Will work on it later tonight, before Turkey Day. Just going to be my hubby and I at the table this year, ‘cause of Covid19. I know many of you are in the same situation. As we hunker down to avoid the spread of this deadly virus… I’m sending Thanksgiving wishes to all my friends, family and Blog Buddies. It’s been a difficult year for all of us... But find a few moments to reflect on what you’re grateful for this holiday. And allow a little joy to seep into your heart, despite all of the hardships. Stay safe and Take care.

The little owl was then taken to what humans deemed a safe place, The Ravensbeard Wildlife Center… even though the only comfort she’s known is to nest in that great big old tree. The minute I laid eyes on her I was smitten. Wrapped in that comfy orange blankie at the wildlife center… she was doing her best Baby Yoda impression. I’m crazy about Rockefeller the Owl. Her little face and those big eyes set my heart a flutter. The fact she survived that great evergreen being toppled is amazing. But then to have endured the long ride to NYC, was even more impressive. The poor thing had no food or water for days and was struggling.Thank goodness someone found her burrowed deep in that tree. I wanted to include her miraculous rescue in my Christmas festivities because it's so inspirational.... so I went in search of a fitting tribute. Looking around in stores, I found a nice wooden tree and owl made of bark, that reminded me of the rescued bird. I immediately purchased them. They were exactly what I had in mind. Once home, I adorned the tree with mini lights. Then placed the whimsical owl in front of it, near the door, on my bookshelf. I love her. She will always be a part of our Christmas celebrations for years to come
because of Rockefeller's touching Christmas story.

 I hope her namesake gets released back into the wilderness soon, where she can live a long and happy life telling her family and friends about her great adventure to the 

Here’s a link...

to the GO FUND ME page 

to help the wildlife center carry on it’s mission.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/ravensbeard-wildlife-center-forever-home

PS) Photographs used here were in the public domain, so I borrowed them, temporarily. 

  .