Monday Moanings - December 21, 2015

Make We Merry?

It's raining. It's gloomy outside my door. My arthritic hands are groaning in protest against this winter-less Christmas season. I am going to have to get out and push my own Christmas Spirit wagon today. Its engine of self-propulsion seems to have bogged down.

The decorations are two-thirds done.


The gift wrapping is one-third done.


The cleaning is one-third done.













But the Christmas baking is all done!

So on this dreary day, let's add it all up:

2/3 decorations + 1/3 gift wrapping + 1/3 cleaning + 1/1 baking = 2-1/3

(And that's how math works this week!)

Now if anyone asks if  I'm ready for Christmas I can say, 

"You bet! I'm more than double ready."

Banish the doldrums. It's time to be merry.

Be safe my friends.
Let's all be home for Christmas.

©2015 April Hoeller

Monday Moanings - November 30, 2015

At the Bottom of Christmas Mountain, Again!

It may be the top of a new week, but from my wagon the ride ahead looks steep and long, and anything but even. I'm rocking back and forth way down at the bottom of Christmas mountain.

Kristen - 1988

A 25 day climb lies ahead and it zigzags through all kinds of hurdles: cookies to be baked, presents to be bought, decorations to be hauled out and put up, menu plans, food shopping and cleaning, lots and lots of cleaning.



The Christmas Magician in me is cringing just thinking about the number of feats of prestidigitation required to reach the top - pulling Yuletide out of my ordinary, everyday hat is no small thing. Good thing I have years of experience behind me to bolster my confidence. What I don't have on this Monday is the energy, but I do have a wagonload of apathy with which to begin the week.

Geoff - 1985

Why bother?
December 25 is just another day, isn't it?
It's just another family feast, isn't it?
It's just another holiday hijacked by the Big Box Stores, isn't it?










In the chilly early light of today my answer is a long whiny yes. But not to worry - this seasoned Wizard of Yule knows just how to turn that frown upside down. A little rest, some fragrant soothing tea with just a smackerel of something sweet, and lots and lots of great music can always coax even the most reluctant of Christmas spirits out of my woolly and tattered hat.

Catch up with you later - I'm off to find my wand. I bet it's in the kitchen...

If you yearn, as I do, for a moment of quiet along the mad dash to Christmas, a place away from all the hype and hurry, check out my daily Reflections for Advent 2015 blog. I post a little soothing something every day.


©2015 April Hoeller

Monday Moanings - December 8, 2014

Just a Wreath on the Door

There are few things I loathe more than putting up the outdoor Christmas lights. I have no idea what vexes me so about this chore - I quite enjoy the end result; rows of pretty lights cheering up the night. And I am often so very impressed by the design skills neighbours, friends and family - a tad envious too of their outdoor wonderlands. But isn't a wreath on the door good enough?

Despite my grumbling burgeoning apathy, guilt pushed me out the door on Saturday. The call of Christmas duty must be answered. The sun was shining and the thermometer crawled into positive territory. It was as good an outdoor decoration day gets in December. Without asking, my love heaved the shipping container of lights down from the rafters in the garage and helped untangle, wrangle and hoist the garlands into place. We shared bewilderment over how it all hung together, what went where and just how did it get there. We kept each other company on umpteen searches for the proper extension cords - heavy duty, outdoor rated, and long. And we provided harmony for each others chorus of curses.

Sharing and togetherness! Now isn't that just the essence of the Christmas Spirit?

And Sophie is so pleased to have her "Deer-est" friends gracing the front lawn, even if they do seem to a be bit on the skinny side.

(Seriously, I think the only outdoor decoration needed for Christmas is SNOW!)

©2014 April Hoeller

Monday Moanings - December 2, 2013

Sitting in my wagon at the top of this week, the ride ahead looks daunting - it may be the top of the week, but I'm way down at the bottom of Christmas mountain. A 23 day climb lies ahead and it zigzags through all kinds of  hurdles: cookies to be baked, presents to be bought, decorations to be hauled out and put up, menu plans, food shopping and cleaning, lots and lots of cleaning.

Kotor, Montenegro

The Christmas Magician in me is cringing just thinking about the number of feats of prestidigitation required to reach the top - pulling Yuletide out of my ordinary, everyday hat is no small thing. Good thing I have years of experience behind me to bolster my confidence. What I don't have on this Monday is the energy but I do have a wagonload of apathy with which to begin the week.

Why bother?
December 25 is just another day, isn't it?
It's just another family feast, isn't it?
It's just another holiday hijacked by the Big Box Stores, isn't it?

In the fog and damp of today my answer is a long whiny yes. But not to worry this seasoned Wizard of Yule knows just how to turn a frown upside down. A little rest, some fragrant soothing tea with just a smackerel of something sweet, and lots and lots of great music can always coax even the most reluctant of Christmas spirits out of my woolly and tattered hat.

Catch up with you later - I'm off to find my wand. I bet it's in the kitchen...

(If you yearn, as I do, for a moment of quiet reflection along the mad dash to Christmas, check out my daily Reflections for Advent 2013)

©2013 April Hoeller