Now that I have been a widower for a while, and the grandchildren are nearly all grown (one married, one working, two in college and the youngest a junior in high school) decorating for Christmas has changed a bit.
No more trees. (There’s an artificial one in the garage that hasn’t come out in years; it replaced an artificial one that was losing more needles, plastic, than a natural one.) Now I have a wicker stool where a stuffed collie dog, Hooper, sits by the back door; most of the year he wears one of my western hats. Early in December I switch it for a Santa hat.
The dog is named Hooper because my younger daughter won him years ago tossing hoops at a carnival booth downtown. He wears a western hat since the 2024 election season when I saw a re-election poster for our sheriff, whose last name is Hooper, wearing a similar hat. So now I have the sheriff watching my back door.
A few more seasonal items are scattered around the living room including a small poinsettia brought by a neighbor last week. Some of the old ornaments are now stored on a high shelf above the kitchen sink; the rest are in boxes on a high shelf in the garage. Both require a ladder or at least a step stool to reach. I suppose the grandchildren will inherit those ornaments.
This works for me now. Both daughters have decorated trees; we will be having our celebration at the younger one’s place. Now I need to finish packing gift boxes for neighbors on my street. Merry Christmas to all.
Something to look forward to, for sure. Sending heartfelt blessing right back to you and yours for a beautiful Christmas and a new year filled with health, hope and happiness.
Now that I have been a widower for a while, and the grandchildren are nearly all grown (one married, one working, two in college and the youngest a junior in high school) decorating for Christmas has changed a bit.
No more trees. (There’s an artificial one in the garage that hasn’t come out in years; it replaced an artificial one that was losing more needles, plastic, than a natural one.) Now I have a wicker stool where a stuffed collie dog, Hooper, sits by the back door; most of the year he wears one of my western hats. Early in December I switch it for a Santa hat.
The dog is named Hooper because my younger daughter won him years ago tossing hoops at a carnival booth downtown. He wears a western hat since the 2024 election season when I saw a re-election poster for our sheriff, whose last name is Hooper, wearing a similar hat. So now I have the sheriff watching my back door.
A few more seasonal items are scattered around the living room including a small poinsettia brought by a neighbor last week. Some of the old ornaments are now stored on a high shelf above the kitchen sink; the rest are in boxes on a high shelf in the garage. Both require a ladder or at least a step stool to reach. I suppose the grandchildren will inherit those ornaments.
This works for me now. Both daughters have decorated trees; we will be having our celebration at the younger one’s place. Now I need to finish packing gift boxes for neighbors on my street. Merry Christmas to all.
Have a Merry Texas Christmas, John. Always appreciate your commentary.
I enjoy the fruits of your super-powered imagination, Bob. Makes life in this topsy-turvy world more tolerable.
Thanks so much, Jannirose.
More to come in the New Year
Blessings
Something to look forward to, for sure. Sending heartfelt blessing right back to you and yours for a beautiful Christmas and a new year filled with health, hope and happiness.
Wonderful column, Bob
Made me smile 😃. Merry Christmas to you and your clan 🎄🎅❤️
Merry Christmas, Chris
That made me laugh out loud. Thanks, and Merry Christmas!
Same to you, Laura. Thanks for all you have done for our town.
Merry Christmas
The people of Davis have been wonderful to us for lo these 40 years!
The whole town loves Woodstock's