I''m Getting Cynical About the Holidays

I'm getting cynical about the holidays and it isn't my fault. I've been duped. Every year January is here after another failed holiday season. In January the year is pristine. Every opportunity awaits. Time is no object. Next December is quite a while away and I can put the Christmas cards that didn't get sent out this year back in the drawer and they'll be there, ready to charge out into the mail this next December. When I have more time to write them out with all the cheery news and season's greetings.
Then July comes, hot weather. I'm singing Christmas carols under my breath to remember what cold weather was like and that hope springs eternal that it will show up again. I feel cooler in the hot weather doing that. It beats darkie songs. Occasionally I sing those as I feel slavish, but I really prefer the Christmas carols for temperature control. (Hey, they're both a part of my heritage, so if you have strong political feelings on the matter, tell someone else.) The fourth of July works out pretty well. How can you miss with the sounds of explosives echoing off the grain elevators? Besides, everyone else is in the fields, I've sneaked off with my sister to enjoy the fireworks. We have iced tea or wine and lay on a blanket under the explosions. We can smell the burned powder. We can feel the concussions as they echo.
Then comes Labor Day. So what, we have to prepare for harvest and are still planting and selling seed. No traveling anywhere that weekend.
Christmas is coming. I can feel it. The spooks are out and October is mellowing everyone, if we can only get the last crop in the bin. Maybe I can quit cooking for a while. I don't like to cook. As soon as harvest is over can put the big pots back into storage. Oh, the bread contest? No one has time? Yes. I'll be there. Where's the stuff from last year? Why did we start hosting a yearly bread contest? Oh, yea, that's right. We sell wheat. Seems a natural thing to do. Yea, I know you can't get off a combine to take care of it.
No one is coming for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Thank God. I've found a new author. I'll order in some books and Thanksgiving will just be me and he and the books. Maybe I'll make a fruitcake. I've always wondered if there was a way to make one edible. My darling likes them. I like gingersnaps. Maybe I'll make some of them. I should be on schedule for the holidays. We'll have something simple, like soup. The Christmas cards should be ready to go by the first of December. I'll have all Thanksgiving weekend to write them out.
I went to the store and the turkeys looked good, so why not bring one home and make leftovers out of it. We can then snack on good stuff and have the turkey anytime. And then I got caught bringing home the turkey. The holidays exploded in my face. My darling wants a feast and, hey, let's invite a crowd. Whatever people can't make it on Thanksgiving can come ANY of the rest of the days. The quote was, 'you'd be a hermit if our social life was left up to YOU!' You can't really want to read over having company?
It looks like the Christmas cards may not make it out again this year.

11 comments:

Becky A said...

Hey Miss Nina,
You've given me another positive about my newly acquired single state. I don't have to do nothin for no one, unless I want to. The only things I'm cooking for three get togethers are noodles and pumpkin pies. I'm on easy street!
That said, I'd cook a feast for an army if I had a certain someone here to tell me to. Count your blessings and enjoy your lucky fella. One day you may find yourself with nothing but time. And trust me, the books will not seem so alluring then. Have a Happy and joy filled Thanksgiving!
ps: Christmas cards are highly overrated. I'm voting we ditch that particular chore and the guilt that goes with it. :)

Reese Mobley said...

Nina, I always love your take on life! I'm the one always killing myself to get everything done. On time and perfectly. Why should this year be any different?

I have a cousin who used to send Christmas cards in July. I think she may be on to something.

Have a wonderful, stressfree holiday! You deserve it!

Penny Rader said...

Nina, you crack me up. Who is the new author you found?

Nina Sipes said...

Becky,
From what I've been told, every stage of life has its positives and negatives. I'm positive that's true.

Nina Sipes said...

Reese,
Wow! I admire those who always seem to have it together. You like my take on life? Someone watch her while I go for help....

Nina Sipes said...

Reese,
Wow! I admire those who always seem to have it together. You like my take on life? Someone watch her while I go for help....

Nina Sipes said...

Reese,
Wow! I admire those who always seem to have it together. You like my take on life? Someone watch her while I go for help....

Nina Sipes said...

Penney, The new author is Susan Enoch. I'm soooo looking forward to reading more of her adventure club group.

Nina Sipes said...

I don't know what happened but it looks like the blog burped three times. Sorry about that.

Joan Vincent said...

I love a pragmatist and you are the most pragmatic person I've ever known and with a wicked sense of humor. My DH always wants a Thanksgiving feast no matter what the circumstances so the turkey always explodes for me. Happy Thanksgiving

Nina Sipes said...

Joan,
I keep trying to make sense of the world. It is a baffling place to me. So, either the world keeps making different rules or someone left a few cards out of my deck--could be either.