It was really foggy this morning, which made for some beautiful views of the sun coming through the fog and tree branches. I hiked the Rhubarb trail, there weren’t as many people with dogs, but there were quite a few families which was unusual for early Sunday morning. I think parents were trying to get their kids as tired out as possible today.
Later I spent some time collaging, which was very therapeutic, especially when I was listening to Christmas music. I also got all of my Christmas presents wrapped and some of the larger stocking stuffers. I’m really excited about seeing everybody for Christmas tomorrow.
Mom, Chrissy and I went to the Christmas Eve pageant mass at mom’s church. There was an enormous tree beautifully decorated in the front of the church. The children participating in the pageant were excitedly running around waiting for everything to start, it brought back memories from when I kid, though the pageant back then was a much more elaborate production requiring several weeks of rehearsals and many adults also playing roles. My sisters and I still remember the guy who played John the Baptist coming down the center aisle yelling ‘Repent Ye! Repent Ye!’ This was the 70s, of course. Tonight’s pageant involved only kids, mainly angels and shepherds along with a couple of Cesar’s guards and of course Mary and Joseph. True to form, Mary was telling Joseph what to do as the made their way to the manger. We saw former teachers and neighbors I had not seen for years.
One of my friends from New Zealand sends out a Christmas letter each year where everyone in their family answers questions about different top 10 things over the year. They’ve been doing this for over 20 years! I recently got their 2023 newsletter and decided to reply with my answers to their top 10. Here they are below :
Occupation, location
Interim Executive Director, Marin County Bar Association, San Rafael, CA
Best Reading
Pet by Catherine Chidgey
Best Viewing
Past Lives (film)
Best Listening
Tears for Fears at Wheatland Amphitheater with 3 of my sisters
Significant Event
Spending a month working on an organic goat farm in Quebec, Canada-milking goats, making cheese, trying to speak French and meeting great people
Best Trip
Exploring Wyoming and then traveling through 5 other states on my own
Challenge
Trying to write a book about taking a mid-life gap year
New Skill Acquired
Interviewing and evaluating attorneys who want to become judges
What I’ll remember 2023 for
Explorations – both internal and external
Expectations for the coming year
Figuring out how to find short-term contract work so I can continue to travel (I’m not ready to be a grown up again)