I’ve been thinking recently about how lucky I have been for most of our adult life.
What do I mean recognizably? Well, I mean that for most of our adult life I have been able to have time off from work at Christmas time, however from 1989 to 1997, I worked in an office at a community college. As you absolutely know, colleges generally close at Christmas time, and this one was no exception. When I left that job, I became a high university teacher. Once again I had Christmas off. When I left teaching I went to work for an association where there were only 2 people employed … Both of us decided the people I was with and I would supply ourselves 2 weeks off at Christmas. I left there only 2 months ago and I am now at a Chamber of Commerce, and they supply us one week off at Christmas. It actually is quite charming, and of all the things I like to do most in the world, getting time off is the best. Anyway, this time off has allowed myself and others to schedule a mini getaway. I am going to put our pet in the vehicle and take a road trip. it’s quite hot because the people I was with and I live in the southeast oh, so I intend to blast the air conditioning. Franny and I, our four-legged friend and I, we’ll go barreling down the highway soaking up the free air conditioning and the sites. I do admit that there is a certain something about living in the Southeast at Christmas time that makes people miss curling up by a fireplace and enjoying the furnace plus drying their hands near the radiator. Even so, I count our blessings. Although the thermostat reads 74 oh, I can still enjoy Christmas by pretending I need the heater. I put wood in the fireplace and blast the A/C at the same time, but yes, it is wasteful. Even so, it’s only once a year when I want to feel enjoy I need a gas furnace but actually don’t.