Winter

Yesterday was the Winter Solstice, and the Berkshires celebrated by getting another foot of snow on top of the 8 inches that was already here. In the past 3 or 4 days James has cleared the driveway with our snowblower 3 or 4 times and our neighbor, Gene, who shares the driveway, has cleared it another 3 or 4 times (with his much bigger snowblower)! And now the gusty wind is blowing the snow back onto the driveway… My job today is to shovel off the deck and clear a path for the dog to go "do his business," since he's old and hasn't had much practice walking through chest-high snowdrifts in his life as mostly a desert dog. But as it's a mere 14˚ out with a wind-chill factor of minus-Ridiculous, I haven't worked up the nerve to venture out yet. So instead I'm updating my blog, telling you all about all the snow and what I should be doing right now instead of updating my blog.

We've got our tree up now and put up as many decorations as we can fit in this place, and James strung some lights up over the shrubbery in the front yard. So we look festive, and we're feeling more festive, too. In 2 days Jesse & Mike will arrive from Brooklyn, and then it will be Christmas! I have to work on Friday and Saturday, which is a bummer but to be expected when you work in retail. God forbid we take more than one day off from making money! We'll get all the people making returns on things they were given but don't want, and all the thrifty New Englanders who wait until the weekend after Christmas to buy Christmas decorations for next year because they'll be 70% off instead of 60%. That extra 10% makes all the difference, doesn't it? And for this we will miss spending time with our families, forgo the pleasure of relaxing together, sharing love, laughter, good food—there is something seriously wrong with a culture that puts saving a few dollars above nurturing the soul. But since I need this job and enjoy it except on holiday weekends, I'll put in my time behind the counter and try to share what joy I can from there with the folks who've decided Jo-Ann's is where they need to be. Maybe they don't have families to stay home with, or families they want to stay home with. That's sad and unfortunately probably true for some. I'll try to spread a little good cheer, then, even if I'd much rather be home with my family!