On the 12th day of Christmas

We watched football. But also on the 3rd, 5th and 8th days of Christmas. And maybe even a few more days as well. I think a new song is in order.

How was your Christmas? Ours was best epitomized by the photo below. In the spirit of giving, we gave each other colds and fevers. No one exempted. We went out and bought CVS stock. Mary has a home remedy of garlic and ginger cut up and washed down with juice. That really seemed to work as well as all those medicines in the basket where the cookies used to sit.

Still, we were undeterred in enjoying each other's company and the spirit of the season. Joe and Leonor arrived first, with Thomas, by plane. Annie had flown east for work and came home next, while Margaret arrived after a few days in NYC with Andrew. Our highlights included Thomas' first sled, Christmas Eve mass, Christmas jigsaw puzzle, getting the oven fixed in time for Christmas, Christmas lights at Naumkeg (historic home), hiking and slipping on the ice, hot chocolate and duck rice and prime rib and chili and much much more. Tim joined us for Christmas Eve dinner and brunch the next day.

We saw on Facebook a little bit about some other Christmases around the family. Looks strikingly similar in terms of joy and color and family time.

Illness delayed a visit by our Maine friends a week, thankfully, as Mary spent most of a few days there in bed. We had to miss our usual New Years party but heard that everyone was home by 9:30 anyway - ours wasn't the only household with illness. Ironically, we did stay up til midnight binge-watching the show "Bodyguard". Recommended. Our Maine friends came this weekend and left just a short while ago, and it was more fun not being sick.

Did you make a New Years resolution? Ours had nothing to do with eating or dieting. So far so good, but I've only been tested once so far. What is it? Helping out at the free meal at church once a week. But I have a few others as well, that I haven't kept yet.

Can't avoid a political comment. With two children as federal employees, this shutdown is hitting home. Joe has been furloughed, and Margaret has had to keep working. Neither of them are getting paid. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm sure I could not have afforded a missed paycheck when I was working. And all over a wall that has nothing to do with migrants and everything to do with distraction. Don't get me going. You already did.

But today was Epiphany, the festival of light and hope. Let's hope this passes quickly.

Love from up here and happy new year.