Just thought I'd let you know how December is going so far. I'm sure you've been curious about my vow to "chill". So far, so good!
The tree is up and lit. Ornaments will go on tomorrow. A
few table decorations made it out of the bins after all and I feel happy when I look at them. Angel and I had a craft-making day on Saturday and cranked out some glittery stars and pipe cleaner/bead candy canes. I play a couple of hours of Christmas music every day and burst into song all on my own on occasion -- mostly to entertain the granddaughters who seem to find my renditions either pleasing or hilarious. Me too.
I've taken myself on a few easy, low-key outings. The Assistance League, a do-gooder organization in town which runs a thrift store, manages estate sales, and provides clothing for low income school children, held a Home For the Holidays Home Tour fundraiser on Monday afternoon. Being a weekday, most of the attendees were of retirement age and mostly female. Like me. It was fun to tour the six historic homes chosen for this year's tour and see them decked out in Christmas finery. Talk about extravagant! My practical side kicked in and wondered where they store all that stuff and how much work it must be to get it out, arranged, and put away again. Also dusting...who dusts? The tour seemed well-attended in spite of the downpour that day. We all had to either remove shoes or put on those surgical bootie covers at each house. That created quite the bottleneck at the entry, but people were of good cheer about it. I went all by myself, something I rarely do, and had a great time going at my own pace, chatting and laughing with strangers, and seeing a few folks I haven't seen in years. I enjoyed my own company and had a lovely, holiday-festive time!
On the way home, I stopped by a new coffee shop in town run by a local organization that provides housing, childcare, education, and job training for people who have experienced homelessness. The coffee shop is their newest enterprise, attached to a vintage/antique retail store. The proceeds help fund programs and clients work there learning retail job skills. Starbucks coffee and a favorite local bakery provide the goodies. I'll be back!
Yesterday was the annual neighborhood Ladies Holiday Tea. It's a tradition dating back probably 30 years. I have only gone a handful of times. The whole "ladies" thing is not
my thing. I was always busy with
meaningful work on "tea day" -- driving carpools, working PTA events, being involved in political campaigns, working full time, and just generally being all judge-y about "ladies who lunch". But this year, in my newfound desire to get out of my own way and just do things that sound like they might be enjoyable, with no highfaluting agenda attached, I went. Plus it was hosted by a woman right across the street who I like a lot, even though we are both introverts and rarely even talk in person. (We are email friends...weird, but it works for us.) Well, it turned out to be a blast! I thought I'd not know many women there, but I knew about half and it was great fun to catch up on neighborhood news, share some festive treats, and connect with others who have lived here for nearly as long as we have, as well as those who are new to the 'hood. I realized that with 33 years at this address behind us, I am now one of the "old-timers". Whew! That's both hard to own and a source of pride.
Last night, was the topper: A friend and I braved yet another torrential downpour to drive to Seattle to see a play. We had to park a ways away since the Seattle Center garage was full (so many activities at the Center this time of year!) but that allowed us to see the grounds lit up for Christmas. City Sidewalks...Busy Sidewalks...Dressed in Holiday Style...
The play was a lively and funny musical: "Come From Away" -- a Newfoundlander colloquialism meaning "not from here". It was outstanding! It's a story I knew nothing about. On 9/11 US airspace was closed and flights from all over the world were diverted hither and yon. One such place was Gander, Newfoundland, a burg of about 10,000 people on the North Atlantic coast. On an average day their airport, mainly used by US military, sees 6-8 planes. On that day, 38 jets landed, carrying nearly 7,000 passengers and crew members from all over the world!
The play is the story of some of those passengers and the residents of Gander who welcomed them with such compassion and caring and generosity, as these folks were grounded and far from home for five days before they could again fly on their way. The townsfolk provided them with food, clothing, shelter (in their own homes in some cases), medicines, medical care...What an inspiring story!
"Come From Away" is all the rage right now in Seattle -- sold out audiences and extended runs. Rumor has it, it will be Broadway bound -- a deserving kudo. Last night was Canadian Night and the actual mayor of Gander was in the audience. He received a standing ovation when introduced and he spoke briefly. What a funny and warm, down-to-earth man!
People want to honor and embrace examples of kindness like demonstrated in Gander on that sad day in 2001, and what better season to remind ourselves that there are good people, (many... most, actually) in the world. I'm still basking in delight and remembering, we've all "come from away" at one time or another.
At least, that's the view from here...©
Well, lo and behold! A part of the show included a "door prize" giveaway to an audience member. They pulled a ticket stub from a big bowl, announcing section, row, and seat number. Yep. Me. In a blur I made my way to the stairs leading up to the stage, the actors all beckoning me to come up and claim my prize. Fleetingly I cursed myself for not looking in the mirror before I left home, but I gamely played along with the thing. Thirty seconds of fame on stage with the cast, while they snapped a polaroid picture, then back in my seat. 
