I’ve been thinking recently about how fortunate I have been for most of my adult life.
- What do I mean specifically? Well, I mean that for most of my adult life I have been able to have time off from work at Christmas time.
From 1989 to 1997, I worked in an office at a community college. As you probably know, colleges generally close at Christmas time, and this one was no exception. When I left that job, I became a high school teacher. Once again I had Christmas off. When I left teaching I went to work for an association where there were only two people employed. We decided we would give ourselves two weeks off at Christmas. I left there only 2 months ago and I am now at a Chamber of Commerce, and they give us one week off at Christmas. It really is quite wonderful, and of all the things I like most in the world, getting time off is the best. Anyway, this time off has allowed me to schedule a mini vacation. I am going to put my dog in the car and take a road trip. it’s quite hot because we live in the southeast oh, so I intend to blast the air conditioning. Franny and I, my 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 heater as well as drying their hands near the radiator. Even so, I count my blessings. Although the thermostat reads 79 oh, I can still enjoy Christmas by pretending I need the heater. I put wood in the fireplace and blast the AC at the same time. Yes, it is wasteful. Even so, it’s only once a year when I want to feel like I need a furnace but really don’t.