A Good Thing

Ted and the Puffalumps arrived for Christmas

Christmas Tree 2011

Chris at 70 years old

Bruce and Tina Anderson

daily haiku

sorting through your desk

I shred parts of your long life

wish you were still here

Well - thinking about this poor old blog that I have neglected so long, I decided just to show up at the page and write. I can't believe I last wrote here on Dec 11th - almost two months ago! In the days that have passed since then, Christmas came and went and mid-january, I turned 70 years old.

I spent the two major days with the Andersons - my friend Bruce's family - and had a wonderful time. They are good people and fun to be with. Christmas at their house was almost as good as being with my own children; they have many of the same traditions about dinner and opening presents, and lots of humor; it was really enjoyable. I spent New Year's Eve with friends Aaron and Donna Holst, and we had a great time each cooking meals for the other and watching football. I would be so lost without the wonderful friends that I have.

Despite a snowstorm and 8" of snow the day before, the Andersons all ventured out to Birney to share my birthday with me, and that was very special. Stewart's girlfriend Gill made a cake for me not knowing that I had already made one, so dessert was two cakes and ice cream - hopefully fortifying them for the long trip home!

This winter is wonderful compared to last year. The temperatures are warmer and I have been able to walk outside almost every day, which I love. I am feeling emotionally stronger and have now begun the long task of sorting through all of the piles of stuff around the house that accumulated when Peter was not feeling well. We were both book hounds (I still am) and so gathering up and finding homes for books is a large part of the task. I already have 8 boxes full and have no idea what to do with them. Libraries have turned me down this far, so I am seriously thinking of loading them in the car and setting up in the K-Mart parking lot in Sheridan with a notice that says "FREE BOOKS" one nice weekend. After all I think K-Mart shoppers may be just a bit more literate than WalMart shoppers - what do you think?!

Today I cleaned the upper part of Peter's desk and then placed my collection of books in which I have been published in his bookcase. Seeing them in neat rows there gives me a tremendous sense of accomplishment and I think he would be happy to see them too. Much more sorting and cleaning awaits, but as I do each chore the house becomes more a part of the new me, the stronger and happier me, and as Martha Stewart would say "It's a good thing."