St. Lucy's Day
Dec. 13th, 2023 09:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ismoIt's St. Lucy's Day. Once upon a time, before calendar reform, December 13 was the solstice, the shortest day of the year. As I watched the pale sun sinking behind dramatic clouds, I realized that watching the sun fade these days causes actual feelings of pain. It will be another eight days before it turns around and slowly, slowly, begins to come back.
Yesterday was not the best, because I only got 4 hours of sleep. Ugh. I didn't have time for a nap, because too many things. The Sparrowhawk saved my life by picking up a few things for me at the store, including an extra-strong latte. The final touch to the day was hosting the women's group, because our normal host was sick. As it turned out, two other people had other obligations--office party and visit from aged parents--so there were only three of us. Nevertheless, I wanted things to be nice for us, so I made some molasses cookies. I used the recipe from the King Arthur Flour Cookie book, and it wasn't quite what I wanted. I think the proportion of flour to sugar is wrong. But it was still a very spicy, nostalgic, Christmasy flavor and made the house smell great, along with some hot cider on the stove.
Thank goodness I got some decent sleep last night. I needed it, because today was Madame day. I found her in her room, trying to get ready, but unable to remember where she put her wallet. She had looked all over. I suggested it might be in the seat-pocket of her walker, and it was! Experience with my mother has made me wise to these things. She ordered two lunches by accident, a sandwich and a salad. I did not correct her. When both arrived at the table, she was amazed. "Did you hear me order both of these?" she said incredulously. "Yes, I did," I said. "I just thought you must be hungry!" She boxed the sandwich up for later. I didn't hear so much about cars etc. this time, because she was more worried about Christmas shopping. I suggested taking some time to shop at the bookstore. Of course, it took twice as long as I thought, so I was late getting home, but she got a couple of nice books and a puzzle, and was pleased to have at least started on her gift-giving. I picked up some wrapping paper and more cards, which I needed, so we both went home happy.
The Diva texted us that Kansas was allowed to come home from the hospital today, and all was well. She has taken a couple of days off work, and then she'll be on break, so she can be there with him.
Yesterday was not the best, because I only got 4 hours of sleep. Ugh. I didn't have time for a nap, because too many things. The Sparrowhawk saved my life by picking up a few things for me at the store, including an extra-strong latte. The final touch to the day was hosting the women's group, because our normal host was sick. As it turned out, two other people had other obligations--office party and visit from aged parents--so there were only three of us. Nevertheless, I wanted things to be nice for us, so I made some molasses cookies. I used the recipe from the King Arthur Flour Cookie book, and it wasn't quite what I wanted. I think the proportion of flour to sugar is wrong. But it was still a very spicy, nostalgic, Christmasy flavor and made the house smell great, along with some hot cider on the stove.
Thank goodness I got some decent sleep last night. I needed it, because today was Madame day. I found her in her room, trying to get ready, but unable to remember where she put her wallet. She had looked all over. I suggested it might be in the seat-pocket of her walker, and it was! Experience with my mother has made me wise to these things. She ordered two lunches by accident, a sandwich and a salad. I did not correct her. When both arrived at the table, she was amazed. "Did you hear me order both of these?" she said incredulously. "Yes, I did," I said. "I just thought you must be hungry!" She boxed the sandwich up for later. I didn't hear so much about cars etc. this time, because she was more worried about Christmas shopping. I suggested taking some time to shop at the bookstore. Of course, it took twice as long as I thought, so I was late getting home, but she got a couple of nice books and a puzzle, and was pleased to have at least started on her gift-giving. I picked up some wrapping paper and more cards, which I needed, so we both went home happy.
The Diva texted us that Kansas was allowed to come home from the hospital today, and all was well. She has taken a couple of days off work, and then she'll be on break, so she can be there with him.
