Life meanders like a path through the woods. We have seasons when we flourish and seasons when the leaves fall from us, revealing our bare bones. Given time, they grow again.
― Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times
I am so glad to slam the door shut on November… so very glad. But as I look at December lying before me, it seems a lot. A lot of “must do’s” that I am not sure I am feeling capable of… so I am going to slowly ease myself into the month.
I am beginning slowly, with a couple of books to ease me into December… Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor (Thanks Carole for this recommendation!) and Nina MacLaughlin’s Winter Solstice: An Essay. Essays, short stories… seem just what my brain can handle right now.
I am going to try to put up a tree this year… wish me and Frankie luck. I think the memories that a Christmas tree holds will be good for me this year. My hope is that Frankie is entirely bored with the whole situation.
And… perhaps my most favorite thing of December is the Mystery Gnome knit along with Sarah Schira. I love the slowness of this knit along… the pace is perfect. I am really looking forward to it this year.
But that is about it and I feel good about the minimal-ness of it all.
What do you hope December brings for you?
You know what your “must-dos” are, but I do hope they are fewer than you think. The books you have listed sound lovely, and I hope the tree-putting-up is successful. The gnome sounds enticing, and once I saw there were skis involved I thought I might need to look more seriously at yarn. Someday I’ll knit a gnome and this might be the time. I hope that easing yourself into the month minimally brings you maximum peace.
May sweet Frankie ignore the tree!! I cannot believe it’s December. I wish July August September would go as fast as October November December. Gah.
I think an easing-into December sounds perfect, Kat. Be gentle with yourself . . . especially when it comes to “must-dos.” Enjoy your comforting reads, your charming gnome knitting, and . . . the tree! Enjoy, my friend. XO
I hope you allow yourself some grace when it comes to those must-dos! When you get right down to it, there are likely some that aren’t quite “so.” I hope that’s the case, anyway! I remember being in a tizzy many years ago getting ready for some holiday thing or another… THIS had to get done & THAT had to get done & THE OTHER. My mom (queen of everything “just so”) told me to RELAX – ready or not, the thing was going to happen & it would all be fine, no matter what was or wasn’t done. She was right. I think of her every time there’s a “big thing.” I let that mystery gnome slide this year, so I’m looking forward to following your progress. It was a mystery shawl that helped me through the grieving of my mom. I was so grateful to have something to focus on! Love to you.
I hope the must dos turn into things that feel good for you. And if they don’t, I hope you can let them go. Thinking of you and your family as you navigate this season.
I was just thinking about Wintering and how I’m ready for a period of rest!
I hope you can go easy on yourself this month and cut down on the must-dos. I also hope Frankie is entirely uninterested in your tree!
I’m another one reminding you to be kind and gentle with yourself Kat. I hope your “must do” list is short and that the doing brings you some comfort. And, may Frankie behave!!! Your book selections sound perfect – enjoy!
My plans for December are not firm. It’s a bit of adjustment to get used to deep snow on the ground – I find it difficult to look away from the scenes through the windows.
Your plans sound like something I could emulate. Be well, Kat,
Laura
I hope the tree brings a bit of lightness to your heart.
What I wish for December …………….good weather so that Stephen can come up for Christmas AND that he find a job soon. (Our lovely orange turnip cut contracts from his government department and he was laid off in July.) Hoping for a better 2026 for sure for EVERYBODY.
I hope these posts are helpful to you. My plan for December is hope for a quiet peaceful way through the month. I’m glad the Christmas Gnome making appeals to you and that Frankie cooperates with the Christmas tree. Making seems to mark the seasons of life. I hope the stitching and knitting brings you some peace and eases the grief in your heart.