After a too-short absence, the
long underwear season has again crept up on those of us left in northern
Michigan. We hardy souls who haven’t escaped the north woods for warmer climes,
are now relegated to spending our time in front of our wood stoves except for
those brief moments when it is necessary to leave our warm perches to fetch
more firewood. Sitting in front of the fire is a good time for me to reflect on
my accomplishments of the past year. Unlike the other loafers that I drink
coffee with most mornings, I try to use winter’s downtime to accomplish
something. Some of my coffee-drinking buddies would argue that they too spend
their time wisely, especially if you count solving 500 piece puzzles as a
worthwhile accomplishment.
I never liked puzzles. During numerous
coffee hours, I have sat silently gritting my teeth while my friends wrestled
with the little pieces searching for a fit to complete a picture. It wasn’t
until recently that I attempted to complete a puzzle on my own in the privacy of
my home office. Almost miraculously, I finished a puzzle on my first try! Not
only did I finish, I completed an entire puzzle in a single day of hard work.
This, despite the fact that the box said 2 to 3 years.
The puzzle was not my only
victory of the year. This year Marjorie and I also learned how to play
pickleball. In case you aren’t familiar with this relatively new game,
pickleball is a racquet sport played on a court that is smaller than a tennis
court – about the size of a badminton court, I’m told. Pickleball is a game
like tennis, only easier and with smaller racquets and less running. I call it
tennis for old folks. The game was named after a dog – an animal named Pickles.
Not only did I learn the game, I also learned about sore hamstrings, tired abdominals,
and sore shoulders while Marjorie is learning about sore knees. We have played
pickleball often enough this year to understand that flexibility, stamina and
strength are fond recollections from a misspent youth.
We had an enjoyable year of travel
this past year with a 10-day wintertime venture to Florida and frequent camping
trips during the warm weather months. Our last camping trip was around Lake
Superior in late September. The scenery was outstanding and we were buoyed by
the wonderful support of all the Canadians we met who universally offered their
assurances that they would not build a wall to keep us out of their country no
matter how foolish our politicians become. It seemed a kind sentiment
Marjorie and I want to wish you a
happy holiday season; hoping that you will secure pleasure not only from the
joys of Christmas, but also from the excitement of the changing season. We
think winter is a time of beauty: snow blankets everything in the north woods and
icicles grow to impossible lengths while nature takes a needed break to
rejuvenate for springtime. We hope to follow suit by relaxing during the holidays
and striving for inner peace that is both a prerequisite and result of a happy
holiday.
Here’s to you and yours during
this happy time. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
