Friday, December 27, 2019

AFTER







After Christmas....
 
Okay, we can all secretly admit that we're glad it's finally over. Now you can concentrate on returning those gifts - and spending the next month taking down Christmas decorations.

The annoying shopping frenzy has ceased. At one minute after midnight on December 26, all the Christmas things are removed from the stores and quickly replaced by Valentine paraphernalia. 

So how was my Christmas?

I wrote a letter to Santa, asking him for some things that I desperately need: a new clothes dryer, microwave, printer, furnace, and water heater. A tractor and plow for the ten-foot-high monster "weeds".
And a shotgun and ammo, so I can blast those bastard critters who are ripping my roof to shreds.

Several people just fled from my blog.

      
Despite the fact that I've been a very good boy (this year, anyway), Santa rudely passed by my house - leaving only a surplus of reindeer turds on the property.

Actually, my Christmas Day was fairly quiet and reasonably pleasant. I initially planned to have a smoked ham for dinner, but scrapped the idea because I was lazy. I'll save the ham for (maybe) New Year's Eve. Instead, I made boneless pork chops, potatoes, and peas with onions. 

Nothing fancy. I just doused everything with olive oil, garlic salt, black pepper, and paprika - and threw it in the oven. 



My bad back encouraged me to spend time in bed and watch videos.
The Homecoming. The 1971 movie that was the spinoff for the TV series The Waltons. I hated the Waltons, but love the Homecoming.
Scrooge. The 1951 movie featuring Alastair Sim. A genuine classic.
Tonight I'll watch The Trouble With Angels (I think 1967). I love that movie. And I had a crush on Hayley Mills.
Can you believe she's 73 now?? Holy crap!!

I wrote a long blog post (in two parts) for Christmas Eve, entitled Ghosts of Christmas Eves Past. Some very dark and disturbing true stories of my past holidays.....
I thought it was damn good - - but also damned depressing. So I (reluctantly) scrapped it. 
Very reluctantly.

Many of my recent blog posts have been depressing.
I strongly suspect (and I'm usually right) that this has turned off a few people. I won't elaborate.   

I often write about myself and my feelings (which admittedly can be annoying) and I try to be as honest as possible.
Unfortunately, honesty isn't always pleasant.  

Here are a few photos - some from Xmas and some left over from the ones on my previous post.

    Pink morning fog in the forest

Sun rising

A tangle of naked trees

I
I never fail to be amazed at how low the sun is at noon in the winter

It was so warm on Christmas Day that I let Scratch and Bosco out on the front porch.


The recent sunsets have been particularly lovely

23 comments:

  1. Yoohoo..... I'm still here. You cant get shut of me that easy!!!

    Did you really put up Christmas decorations? I couldn't be bothered. What I did was use all the Christmas cards as decoration and moaned when a slight draught blew them over. Heehee.

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    1. I knew I could count on you to endure my complaints, Valerie. Thank you for that! I didn't put up any elaborate decorations - only candles and some colored lights. I always love looking at colored lights. They're so soothing.

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  2. Wow! Your last photo is just stunning! It's ok to be honest. Sometimes blogs are the only place we can be honest and Internet 'friends' can be supportive.

    I love a roasted meal from the oven. And I hated the Waltons, too!

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    1. I have a (bad) habit of writing too many complaints on my blog - and it's not very becoming....but writing is indeed a great catharsis for me. I truly appreciate supportive internet friends.

      The first Walton movie was good (The Homecoming) but the TV series was excruciating.

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  3. your christmas dinner sounds scrumptious. it was warm here too for a winter holiday. 62 degrees. i'm sorry that santa bypassed your home. he missed me too. i had better health at top of my list. he apparently was amused by the request and i feel worse. live and learn. your pink fog photo was intriguing. loved seeing your kitties on the porch. they look happy . i have two kitties that are 16 years old and they are indoor cats all the way. but lately i've been holding them at the door so they can smell outdoors and they love it. you are right about christmas being replaced by valentines day. it happened here on christmas eve at 6:45pm. i thought wtf. not through with one holiday and we start another. crazy. crazy. i'm glad you rested and watched a few movies. on your advice i'm going to see christmas in connecticut this weekend. something to look forward too. take care. i have to check for reindeer turds on my way to get the mail.

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    1. I used to enjoy cooking and making elaborate meals, but now that I live alone I really don't care anymore. I prefer making anything that is quick and trouble-free.
      I'm sorry that Santa ignored both of us. I forgot to ask for good health (even though I desperately need it). I'm falling apart and so is the place in which I'm living. It's depressing.
      It was 60 degrees here today and I'm savoring it (it won't last).

      Take care - - and don't step in any reindeer turds....

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    2. My kitties are indoor cats, but I occasionally (and reluctantly) let them outside. I keep a close eye on them. Scratch is 14 yrs old and is usually well-behaved, but Bosco is only 5 yrs old and enjoys wandering.

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  4. Gorgeous header, Jon! Those pork chops and potatoes look amazing! (See, I'm trying to be polite and not mention the green things.) Wow, I hadn't thought about Hayley Mills in ages. After seeing Parent Trap, I had quite the girl crush on her. I hope those scrapped posts can be recovered (maybe in the trash folder?) and included in later years' posts -- or, as part of your memoirs?

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    1. I found that header picture on the Internet and fell in love with it. I tinted it in several different colors (blue, pink, purple, etc) and will probably change the picture occasionally according to my moods.

      I saved those Christmas Eve posts and will probably eventually use them on my blog. And, of course, the full-length version will be in my memoirs.

      Potatoes take a long time to get done in the oven - so I always boil them in water for a few minutes first. Then I slice them with the peels on and toss them in the oven (drizzled with olive oil or even vegetable oil).

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  5. I would have read them.
    Always love seeing your woods.
    A pen pal told me about Calm Your Cat videos on YouTube and Annie has been enthralled every time I put one of their videos on for her. She is anything but relaxed or calm though--LOL! Birds flitting and eating is quite an action adventure flick for her.
    Your dinner sounds good. Enjoy your ham on New Years!! :)

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    1. I'll probably post them in the (near) future. I just though they were too depressing for Christmas.
      I never heard of Calm Your Cat videos. My cats are usually calm, but sometimes Bosco gets very rowdy. Late the other night he was running around the house and knocked a lamp off a table. Fortunately it didn't break.

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  6. Hey Jon ... I'm another one who's relieved that Christmas is over. I just couldn't get into the spirit this year. I did make the big meal, but I had no appetite for any of it. It's safe to say that turkey is officially off my list. I've never liked it anyhow.

    Don't worry about writing depressing posts ... honesty is always best no matter what. It makes you a real person, not some faker hiding beneath armor trying to be upbeat all the time. Life has ups and downs for all of us.

    I'm glad you had a reasonably pleasant Christmas. I must say, you really do have beautiful sunsets. A tangle of naked trees is one I'd have to frame. It speaks to me. Take care !

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  7. I definitely didn't have the Christmas spirit this year. I had initially planned to make a nice meal but it was all too much trouble - especially since I live alone. I do like turkey, but prefer to have something easier and less elaborate.

    I admittedly have a (bad) habit of wearing my heart on my sleeve and saying things that I probably shouldn't - but you're right, it makes me more human (hopefully!). I've never been perpetually optimistic, and I often see dark clouds on the horizon rather than rainbows and unicorns.

    I always enjoy photographing things around here. I'm glad you like the tangle of trees!

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  8. I don't think you could do much to make me stop reading your blog. I like honesty, and I know what depression feels like. I also know what it's like to need a new washer or dryer and not be able to buy one. Your blog is unique, like none of the others I read. That alone would keep me coming back.

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    1. I really appreciate that, Donna - and as a long-time reader of my blog, you know what you're talking about (*smile*). I don't write as many humorous posts as I used to, but during the past few years much of the humor has been sapped from my life.
      I always write my true feelings and even though some people can't cope with it - at least I'm honest.

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  9. Hi! I read every one of your posts. My opinion it's your blog so post whatever you wish and if others don't want to read about what some of us know about because we lived it... let them just keep on to others' blogs that have the best life ever.. really now?? I like to consider you my cyber friend so I'm here for you!
    Cooler weather is coming to Tennessee next week.. I long for springtime. Love your pics!!

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    1. Louise, many thanks for your vote of confidence. I value my cyber friends. I used to write a lot of humorous posts, but lately all the burdens of life have sapped much of the humor out of me. Writing is an outlet for my complaints.

      It was near 65 degrees on Christmas and I'm enjoying the warm weather while it lasts. I, too, am longing for spring. Glad you liked the photos!

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  10. Well all I can add to earlier comments, Jon, is that One of the main reasons I keep returning is your honesty. Yes, it is depressing to read how tough things have been for you in recent months and not know what words of advice or comfort to offer. But you keep hanging in there and I’m not sure many, including myself, could do so. You don’t sugar coat things and I admire that directness. As long as you keep posting, I and others will be here to listen because its the least we can do. Thanks for the gorgeous sunsets and Happy New Year, cause it can’t be worse than this past year, hopefully.

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    1. Your kind and encouraging words mean a lot. I have a bad habit of voicing my complaints too much - but I really try to be as honest as possible. I write exactly the way I think, and usually I'm just talking to myself - - but I'm always glad when others come along for the ride. I just hope I don't sound too depressing.

      I always enjoy the informative posts on your blog. You've taken me to many places that I otherwise would have never seen. I hope your 2020 will be filled with many new adventures.

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  11. "the trouble with angles" was partly filmed not too far from me. the "school campus" still stands. https://montcoresource.com/2012/01/21/sunday-at-st-marys

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    1. Many thanks for the information. Lindenwold Castle (I think that's what it used to be called) is truly beautiful and unique. I'm glad to know it's still around. I had forgotten that it's in Pennsylvania.

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  12. That sunset is amazing, and I love your photos through the trees. As a Washingtonian native, I'm always fond of tree shots. :) Your dinner sounds delicious and your movies relaxing. We always have lasagna for Christmas Eve dinner, as well as many side dishes and several types of traditional cookies. I find this time of year depressing. I would take down my decorations on Christmas day if I could get away with it. My family would disapprove though.

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    1. The holiday season is a depressing time of year, and also annoying. It seems that we are forced to participate against our will....
      Lasagna sounds great for Christmas Eve. When I lived in Texas I discovered that the Mexican tradition is to have tamales on Xmas Eve. I like the idea.

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