I can’t believe how fast this month has flown by. How can Christmas be just a few days away? And how can it be that I’ve been “stuck” here for almost a year now? Yes, still waiting for my visa to be approved, which seems unlikely to happen due to our unstable virus situation here in America. We just can’t seem to keep Covid from rampantly invading every niche, corner and crevice of our country, including our own Covid fatigue, somewhat defeated attitude. So many, tiring of stay-at-home urgent pleas and mandates, itch for close contact with loved ones, family and friends to the point of throwing all care to the winds. We are seeing, after the massive “Homeward bound!” during the Thanksgiving Day holidays, where that has landed us: In a dire, mind-numbing quagmire of virus cases that sink us deeper and deeper into the unknown.
My greatest hope is that getting the vaccine, which I’m guessing will be a requirement for any foreigner re-entering China, will give the necessary boost I need to bring me back into my English language classroom. Hope for that; wish for that; pray for that.
In the meantime, let me offer up a happier, more cheerful and festive look at the happenings from my end
Decorating my Mom’s New House
My mom and I have been busy decorating her new home for Christmas, which demanded pulling out all the bins stuffed with so many of my childhood memories of Christmas: the 90-year-old Christmas scene, the 1930’s creche, treasured tree ornaments, holiday figurines and stuffed animals, and ornamental gifts from friends and family over the years. It was fun finding just where to put things.
In her old home, every piece had its special, time-honored place on the shelves, on the walls, on the tabletops, on the buffet, on the piano . . . But in the new house, choosing the proper spot was a challenge. We spent hours, even days, selecting items, discussing placement, analyzing balance, commenting on decor, moving things from here to there, adding this or subtracting that . . . The production of it all! But, oh, what satisfaction and delight in the final settling.
Sure, there are still a few frowns and sideways glances at what might be better elsewhere but those will be saved for next year. As it stands now, the house is finished!
A Visit to Danke’s Tree Farm
Preparing the Outside
And the Inside: Tree is first!
Next come all the family favorites
The Christmas Scene
My most favorite, and missed while in China, Christmas tradition has always been the Christmas Scene. These 1930’s and 40’s Barclay figurines have been saved and kept safe for many years. The houses as well, which include an 1800’s wooden cabin with a 150-year-old couple to match. Don’t you want to shrink yourself to an appropriate size to live here? I sure do!
What a grand holiday home!
We still have a few more trinkets to go but my mom has decided that, for this year anyway, not everything needs to come out of storage. After all, have to save something for next year, right? Thus leaving this year’s Christmas home a finished product.
Until my next entry, may peace (Ping an) and joy be with you.
