ADJUSTING TO THE 

UNEXPECTED

I've always thought I did pretty well at going with the flow--not following every trend and fad that popped up, but when things didn't go my way, I could adjust--refigure my path--try a new way, so I could keep on an even keel. (Forgive my mixed metaphors.)

This year just ending, 2020, which many are calling the COVID Year, seemed to evolve in new ways every whipstitch--one week it was all right to meet in small groups, a few days later, forget about meeting in face-to-face groups, turn on your Zoom. And so on. You remember.

After adjusting the adjustments, time and again, I've come to see that it can all be summarized this way: KEEP IT SIMPLE.

Not a new thought, right? We've had that bit of advice around for several years. 

Here's how it's playing out right now:

Christmas Preparation

Online shopping, get things mailed to me (or to the recipient). The Post Office will pick up as well as deliver, so I don't have to schlep big packages downtown.

Or, forget shopping. Write checks. Withdraw cash to put in cards. Buy gift cards to various stores and mail them to recipients.

Decorating--I've never put up outdoor stuff. My neighbors do enough to make a good display in our one-block-long neighborhood. Instead, I let Mother Nature decorate for me with new-fallen snow (yesterday morning was a good starter), bushes with red berries on them, evergreens (no adornments needed). Minimalist is more my style.

Indoor decorating--not much room for a tree to fill the front window, so my daughter and I decorate two small pencil trees (each about 30 inches tall) and place them on either side of the fireplace. Since the fireplace is not in operation, they're perfectly safe. They're prelighted, and we add a handful of colorful balls, bells, and ribbons. Quilt batting around the bases does the faux snow thing.

Cooking & Treats--a vexed subject. I used to make large veggie trays to take to folks who have helped me throughout the year. Made my own Skinny Dip. Delivered the goods early in December, preferably before the 10th. Everyone who received a tray loved the idea of fewer calories, though I suspect they really were thankful they didn't have to clean all those veggies.

This year? Prepping veggies would have involved my wearing a mask and vinyl gloves while working with the food. Since I make six or more big trays, I'd be working under a handicap for a long period of time. (Try doing quick work with your hands in gloves and your glasses fogged over from breathing under a mask. Uh-huh, no fun, right?)

My adjustment? Redo the menu. A bag of mandarin oranges, a package of string cheese (each string is individually wrapped), and a box of fancy crackers divided into several snack bags. (One box of crackers divided while wearing mask and gloves isn't onerous.)

Tuesday I delivered three treats, and yesterday I delivered one more. Just a couple to go.

What else? Oh, yes, greeting cards. December we have three birthdays in our family. Those cards have gone out. Christmas greetings are running late, but then, if those cards got in the mail before December 20th, the Post Office might wonder if I'd died and somebody else had sent the cards. My current plan is to get most of them in the mail today, and the last few tomorrow. Long before the 20th, if you count time the way I do.

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Like many people I know, there's no big holiday dinner this year. My daughter and I will probably have a roast chicken and veg meal in the evening, then watch a holiday movie. (I've never seen the Grinch, can you believe that?) Won't be surprised to hear from my other kids for a phone visit.

A year ago I wouldn't have suspected this year would be different . . . but it's turned out to involve a radical departure from Christmas preparation in the past.

Will this become the new norm? Many people hope not! They want to go back to what they've always done, maybe do even more that in the past.

I won't mind if the simplicity of Christmas hangs on
. Fewer expectations, fewer responsibilities, more time to reflect on the season. . . those would be gifts indeed.

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Have a wonderful week! May your Christmas holiday bring you peace and joy.