1) Packages in, packages out. No sooner had I mailed two boxes of gifts to the family than the Nice Delivery Service dropped off two boxes of gifts from the family to me — including one from Oldest Nephew Who Must Not Be Tagged. What a nice surprise! They are now under my tree waiting for Christmas.
1a) The very first Christmas gift I received from Oldest Nephew Who Must Not Be Tagged was a red pillow in the shape of a book about the Nutcracker. I just took it out last weekend; I love having it.
2) The Nice Neighborhood Handyman came by for a second coat of spackle or whatever it is around where the ceiling lights will go. After a third coat and a bit of sanding tomorrow, I’ll be completely ready for the return of the electrician. The thought of my beautiful new lights (stained glass for parlor and dining room, a frosted glass globe for the study) is not actually sustaining through the disorder that now stretches into every room of my house.
3) Nor is the national news, which is bringing on more despair than anything else. Realizing, too, that I’ve barely been outside since Thanksgiving (!) — I said to the handyman this morning that I’m unfortunately getting an early start on my Old Man Lifestyle, which is bad — and that I needed to clear my head, I forced myself out of the house for a good walk through the cemetery. Just what I needed.
Reverend Grant, with his parents and brothers.
3a) Not least because a couple good role models are there: William Lloyd Garrison and Rev. Percy Stickney Grant. Today especially it was important to call on them, pay my respects, and pray to have the strength to follow their example.
Mr. Garrison and his wife.