[rto] Lady Eve of Christmas

As I was explaining to person to some of you recently, one of the intriguing things about Romancing The Ordinary over the original Oprah'd classic, Simple Abundance, is how much SBB's life has changed between the two.

The first book was the idealized wife, whose previous writings had been primarily about Victoriana, with a daughter on the brink of womanhood, etc.

The second one, she's divorced, left her ex with their perfect New England house, taking up a disturbing fondness for sheep, and is living in Newton's Chapel, easily bought on a whim now that she's a rich author. Her college age daughter is blasting Madonna (as Christmas music), monopolizing the kitchen an hour before their holiday dinner. And, her interest in the women of the Christmas legend is suspicious, the innkeeper's wife who finds them the stable and helps deliver the child, etc. Way past the Mary Cult and, considering the number of Solstice entries, headlong into the Goddess.

Now that I think about it, she was all into Midsummer in the last book. Her intended audience are probably women who need to focus more on being... their own women. Nudging them towards Gaia probably isn't a bad strategy.

Between moments here myself. In spite of a corrupt file and having to completely redo a publication due monday, I still managed to get out of work early enough to head to the gym, mutter curses about how the "small car" label on porter square spaces should be vigorously enforced and all the damned behemoths towed to Pats, and finally resort to the one-way street maze to find a permit only spot. Actually ran for the first time in... weeks. Had time to go get a giant bowl of sapporo ramen, a $5 dozen roses, and a candle (as requested) from Pier One. (I may have found the only patchouli mix that doesn't smell like rot to me.)

awfief helped me dig out decorations on Saturday. That helped a lot. All the rest of seasonal cards are up, including the ticket stub to Return of the King. Lit the candelabra tree (which didn't even look like a tree to me until my then roommate's SO pointed it out, I got it for 60% off after the holidays). Stacked the received gifts and the roses with the bowl of silver holly bells by the tree. A stack of outgoing gifts nearby.

Watched CBS Sunday Morning's pastoral of deer like the ones "back home", called Mom over it. Mom is increasingly ridiculous about her neighborhood flock of deer. Sure they're cute, but they can live through taking out my windshield (and I mean to get even someday -- just as soon as I can stop being uncomfortable around guns long enough to learn how to shoot) and they come bundled with deer ticks. Assured her that I'd be home the weekend after the New Year.

More relaxed than I've felt in days.

[rto] Lady Eve of Christmas

As I was explaining to person to some of you recently, one of the intriguing things about Romancing The Ordinary over the original Oprah'd classic, Simple Abundance, is how much SBB's life has changed between the two.

The first book was the idealized wife, whose previous writings had been primarily about Victoriana, with a daughter on the brink of womanhood, etc.

The second one, she's divorced, left her ex with their perfect New England house, taking up a disturbing fondness for sheep, and is living in Newton's Chapel, easily bought on a whim now that she's a rich author. Her college age daughter is blasting Madonna (as Christmas music), monopolizing the kitchen an hour before their holiday dinner. And, her interest in the women of the Christmas legend is suspicious, the innkeeper's wife who finds them the stable and helps deliver the child, etc. Way past the Mary Cult and, considering the number of Solstice entries, headlong into the Goddess.

Now that I think about it, she was all into Midsummer in the last book. Her intended audience are probably women who need to focus more on being... their own women. Nudging them towards Gaia probably isn't a bad strategy.

Between moments here myself. In spite of a corrupt file and having to completely redo a publication due monday, I still managed to get out of work early enough to head to the gym, mutter curses about how the "small car" label on porter square spaces should be vigorously enforced and all the damned behemoths towed to Pats, and finally resort to the one-way street maze to find a permit only spot. Actually ran for the first time in... weeks. Had time to go get a giant bowl of sapporo ramen, a $5 dozen roses, and a candle (as requested) from Pier One. (I may have found the only patchouli mix that doesn't smell like rot to me.)

awfief helped me dig out decorations on Saturday. That helped a lot. All the rest of seasonal cards are up, including the ticket stub to Return of the King. Lit the candelabra tree (which didn't even look like a tree to me until my then roommate's SO pointed it out, I got it for 60% off after the holidays). Stacked the received gifts and the roses with the bowl of silver holly bells by the tree. A stack of outgoing gifts nearby.

Watched CBS Sunday Morning's pastoral of deer like the ones "back home", called Mom over it. Mom is increasingly ridiculous about her neighborhood flock of deer. Sure they're cute, but they can live through taking out my windshield (and I mean to get even someday -- just as soon as I can stop being uncomfortable around guns long enough to learn how to shoot) and they come bundled with deer ticks. Assured her that I'd be home the weekend after the New Year.

More relaxed than I've felt in days.