I woke up this morning feeling blue. I then spent a while interrogating what I was so bummed about. And there’s nothing. Nothing’s wrong.
So, then, this idea popped into my head that maybe I just needed to feel sad, for reasons I couldn’t articulate and that it wasn’t hurting anyone if I wanted to mope around.
And, you know, I almost instantly felt better.
I spent yesterday with the Butcher’s family. The Butcher made roast beef for lunch and we exchanged presents–I got a Turkish spindle!–and watched both Crank movies. They remain delightfully terrible.
Then I spent the evening with friends. And there was a history adventure!
And today I’m going to take the dog for a walk and feel my feelings.
I remain, as ever, very grateful for you guys. Your support throughout the years has meant the world to me. It’s literally changed my life. And you folks, who read or have read or will read this are some of the best things in it.
Tiny Cat Pants 
Sometimes I think that the EXPECTATIONS of Christmas are completely overwhelming, whether we’re aware that we have EXPECTATIONS or not. We are supposed to be happy and jolly and glad to see people and listen to Christmas music 24/7 and still get our work done and shop and wrap, etc. and it’s just supposed to be all this HAPPY! Such high EXPECTATIONS!!!!! Well, my dad’s birthday is just before Christmas and he died shortly after Christmas and I miss him terribly, especially around Christmas. I also don’t do well with outside EXPECTATIONS and I tend to rebel and be sullen and angry in response. I don’t want to hear Christmas music 24/7 for 2 months straight and I hate wrapping gifts. All that said, I do enjoy Christmas though I’m not super HAPPY. Anyway, perhaps that’s why some of us are sad around the holidays for no apparent reason. And, you know, it’s OK. Feel the feels. We’ll all be fine later on. On that note, I hope you have a happy Christmas (and yes, I see the irony there).