It seems trite to begin an end-of-December post with “I can’t believe it’s the end of December,” but it’s absolutely true. December flew by, as did November, and October, and September, and the summer and spring and, shockingly, winter (February’s Great Snow Confinement being the notable exception). 2025 is indeed a blur in the rearview … Continue reading 2025 in Review
Tag: christmas
Just Like Christmas
If one measures accomplishments in tangible output, as our capitalist society is wont to do, my summer and early fall weren’t incredibly fruitful. As a productivity-worshipping perfectionist whose self-worth has traditionally been based on such standards, I feel obliged to remind you that my lack of much to show for these months was by design: … Continue reading Just Like Christmas
A Chill(y) Christmas Eve
It’s Christmas Eve, and my husband and I are puttering around the apartment wrapping the few presents we bought for each other and enjoying glimpses of our Christmas tree and the faint sound of a holiday album. We pause intermittently to entertain the feline houseguest we’ve been hosting this week or to eat one of … Continue reading A Chill(y) Christmas Eve
Having Myself a Merry(ish) Little Christmas
By this time last year, I was in my usual full-on, over-the-top Christmas mode. My apartment had been garishly decorated for weeks, my cards had been written and put in the mail, and my Spotify algorithm had figured out that all I listened to was Christmas music and thus suggested nothing else. I had a … Continue reading Having Myself a Merry(ish) Little Christmas
The Joy in Getting Through
While out for a coffee with my husband a few mornings ago, I realized that I inevitably feel a great sense of relief on Boxing Day, when Christmas is in the rear-view mirror and expectations are suddenly lowered. I’m certainly not the first to observe that for many people, and for various reasons, Christmas is … Continue reading The Joy in Getting Through
Solstice Wishes, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year
Just a quick post to wish you all the best, no matter what/if you celebrate, in this final stretch leading to the new year. The last week has been eventful for me—the suspense!—and I’m full of gratitude, optimism, and resolve as I approach whatever 2024 has in store. At this time a year ago, I … Continue reading Solstice Wishes, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year
Classic
This coldhearted lady spontaneously burst into tears this morning while completing a crossword puzzle and listening to Bach (Suite No. 3 in D Major, BMV 1068: II. Air, to be precise). I seldom cry, but when I do, my eyes make up for lost time. It’s as if my tear ducts reserve their salty stores … Continue reading Classic
Thanks(giving)
In the space of three or four days, an unusually late burst of summer turned to weather that’s unmistakably appropriate for autumn—early winter, even. I ripped the tags off my new coat, which I felt ridiculous buying a few weeks ago, when it was uncomfortably hot out, and wore it for the first time on … Continue reading Thanks(giving)
Christmas
Just over a week before Christmas, I had a seizure and needed to be brought to an acute-care hospital. The next day, still in the ICU, I had another seizure, tried to get out of bed, fell, and broke my hip, an injury requiring surgery. A few days later, I went into status epilepticus again … Continue reading Christmas
This Christmas
I'm taking a few minutes from my Boxing Day to wish you a happy holiday week (if that's relevant to you). I hope that you're striking a balance between celebration and safety and that you're responsibly marking the season in a way that feels right to you. In other words, Merry Christmas! Or not. My … Continue reading This Christmas





