26th December 2023
As there is no Boxing Day over here, it’s back to work for everyone.
We had run out of a few things, so I volunteered to walk to the corner shop.
The air was clean, taking deep breaths, I could feel the scale peeling off my lungs, it felt good.
It was quiet, no cars passed me, I could see the lake between the houses, it looked grey and cold. I walked past a plot of land that had a sale sign planted in the ground. It was someone’s garden, a sign that the home owner couldn’t be bothered to cut the grass anymore, so it’s easier to sell it.
It is priced at $179,000 for a patch of land next to a main road, where you can only catch a glimpse of the lake, someone will buy it.
I walked around the store selecting the items that Kelli had written on a scrap of paper, this list had grown considerably once I had agreed to go. The lighting inside is so bright, they should issue welding goggles at the door, it hurts, the song “ blinded by the light” is appropriate.
I get to the checkout and cheery Brenda asks all sorts of questions “How was your Christmas?” and “whatcha doin today?” I could barely speak, my mind was telling me to get out of there before my eyes melt.
As I left I realised that I didn’t even buy my Snickers bar to nibble on the walk back, a sneaky pleasure and personal reward for making the trip. That was because I had eaten so many since yesterday as Kelli bought me a packet of mini bars from the Dollar store, so the guilt of eating them at every opportunity was foremost in my mind.
Getting back home I sat and enjoyed the warm lighting of our Christmas tree.
I laughed to my self because it’s tall and thin, it looks like it’s passed through the chipper already, but it suits us, we are supportive of the underdog.
We did finally do a bit of work in the garage, working on a buffet where I stripped the top and shelf and Kelli sanded and primed the body. I’m struggling to get motivated at the moment, although it’s not cold, there is still an effort to leave the warmth of the house. Once I’m out there I get used to it, but the dripping nose that runs constantly reminds me that it’s warmer inside.
I did another job that is essential but boring, cleaning out the gutters. This rates just below collecting dog poop, but with all the trees around they get full and clog up the down pipes.
Putting on my rubber gloves, I open the short step ladder and start the scooping, filling my large bucket several times, rather satisfying I find.
Kelli has finished painting the buffet, I help with the drawers and doors. My job is to place the pieces on a large cardboard box so that she can spray them from her seated position. She has a seat with castors that she rolls around on, it’s our version of robotic painting, she’s already worn out one of them.
Finally it’s done, we can close everything up and go in the house, into the warm, where the dogs are sleeping and the food is simmering, it’s been a long day.
Another Lifetime to go 