Merry Christmas, from Warmth and Sunshine!

It’s Christmas Eve here in Brownsville, and I’d planned on going to the cocktail party at the RV park clubhouse this evening, but the holiday blues are upon me. It doesn’t help that I cleaned everyone out of pocket money during Card Bingo last night in a freak string of beginner’s luck and now don’t dare show my face.

Seriously, I won so many times that the only conclusions my neighbors must have of me are 1) I’m so stupid I can’t tell one suit from another, 2) I’m a cheater, 3) I’m the luckiest son of a gun anyone’s ever met. I won everyone’s quarters three times (which is like 60 quarters total) and I won second place once, which was a pack of chocolate spoons meant for stirring in a mug of hot chocolate, but I split them with the ladies at my table on the spot. I may be a stupid cheat, but I share candy. I mean, man! I seriously feel like I’ll never live this down. Last year I was the miserable lady with the leg cast begging for a golf cart; this year I’m the weirdo who shows up to only one social event—the one with betting—and wins it all.

Gotta admit about the blues part, I sure know how to feel blue if it’s on this fully sunshiny, 80-degree day. I am frankly worn out. Every day lately I’ve had physical therapy and/or psychological therapy and/or doctors’ appointments and/or workouts in the gym. More ands than ors there, many all in the same day. I am tired of thinking and feeling (and being freakishly lucky) and am happy to sit in the tent and watch the beautiful blue sky.

That really sucks as a Christmas greeting though, doesn’t it. I meant to send out paper cards, but these were my choices.

I thought I’d hit the jackpot when I found this one in my stash, and then I realized I’d taken it in Alaska, which was summer before last. Not even this year. And, I’m not in it.

Then I thought about sending this one, until I realized Tracy’s flannel and my overalls and our big hats make us look very farmer-like, we’re both wearing Crocs, Banjo looks entirely defiant, and, thanks for this, Mark, we look a lot like a deranged American Gothic. No cards this year.

I’ve got some Christmas cheer going on in the trailer, I swear. I’d knitted Christmas tree lights and strung them up, but they drove me nuts in about five minutes because they add to the clutter.

So, turned them into gift wrapping.

I do have a more traditional-looking setup in the corner behind my seat. Due to breakage sometime over the past year, I had to glue together the sand dollar I use as the tree topper, but check out the little gingerbread house made of felt below.

Jacqui made that and sent it to me two years ago, knowing I might actually use it since it’s small. I adore it.

Whether you’ll be spending time with family or just enjoying downtime (or cleaning out your neighbors’ quarters), whatever your traditions, your weather, your beliefs or company, I’m grateful to have you in my life. Merry Christmas!