Piece meal...

We have been slowly putting up our Christmas decorations. Slowly, not really by intent, but merely a function of modern living. With two kids in high school, a dog, two cats, one very funny Guinea Pig and, of course, a business and a job, we have a lot going on. So tonight when my wife called from Walgreen's to say she was purchasing new lights for our Christmas tree I was excited. One of the best things in my life has alway been decorating the tree before Christmas. And yet, in the past couple of years it has become a little, well, boring.

Maybe I just long for a place with snow in December. I simply remember magical mornings with virgin white snow piled in the yard, the coffee pot percolating away (this is in the days before Mr. Coffee) and the sounds of Christmas coming from our "hi-fi." Yes, that's right, I am old enough to remember what music was like before CDs, surround sound and all of that. even the old LP records would fill our home with music, joyous Christmas music. One record I particularly loved was the FULL version of the Nutcracker by the London Symphony Orchestra. On a snowy Colorado December day, I could sit inside all day, at least on Saturday, and do nothing but read and listen to great Christmas music. I suppose some might call that kind of a Christmas season day boring, but, well, I often reflect that all my busy-ness does not necessarily lead to less boredom, only a different kind.

Yes, I can be bored by being busy. You too? Have you ever found yourself thinking about all the things you would rather be doing while right in the middle of complete craziness? That's what is really GREAT about a big snowstorm. It shuts the craziness down!

Just last year we were in Colorado just two weeks before Christmas and, bam, one day after we arrived it snowed THREE feet. Since we were staying with friends, it worked out just great. We could go nowhere, I mean NOWHERE, as the streets were completely closed. So we all just stayed in, cranked up the fire and relaxed. Not once did I feel bored. No, I take that back ... the one time I did feel bored I did something I always loved doing on snowy days.

I wrapped myself up in a heavy coat, hat and gloves, put on my big old snow boots, made in, where else, Canada, grabbed a snow shovel and heaved twelve million snowflakes out of my buddies drive. Best part, I met several of the neighbors, also bored from their long winters nap! Then it happened, just as I was about to go in, some crazy guy in an SUV got stuck a half a block from where I stood. I trudged up a little hill, toting my shovel of course, knocked on his window and asked if he needed help. He was ecstatic. Several of the neighbors and I worked for 1/2 an hour and voilå, he was unstuck. We all cheered as he drove off into the snowset.

So now when I think I am bored with Christmas decorations I just remember snowy days gone by and the joy a little shovel, a lot of water and a cold wind can bring!