Christmas Day 2023

Alternatively Titled: Of Gatherings and Gifts

14,059 Days Alive

5+ Hours in the Car with Mellon

1 New Stuffie Owl from Mellon

Oh boy. Today has been an adventure from about two p.m. onward.

Mellon and I drove down to see his father’s side of the family. Their dad, their brother, and his two sisters from that side of the family tree. It was… an interesting time.

I made friends with the cat Emma that doesn’t like anyone, and the cat Milo who loves everyone. I also got to help break up a dog fight between poor Emma, who is fine and drew first blood on the one that went after her, and a trio of dogs named for the Greek gods. I wasn’t injured or anything. Thank the gods I know to stay away from teeth and use my knees and their harnesses to move them. Emma was fine, but spooked.

They didn’t have a Christmas tree. I don’t know why I’m disappointed we didn’t have one either. I mean, I don’t need some massive twelve foot pine tree fresh from the forest or something. Just a little tabletop one, like I used to have, would have been nice. That I lost all my Christmas ornaments from my late father in the move to Chicago is still saddening. I know where they are, who has them. I just can’t seem to get them sent to me, mostly because I can’t afford the shipping and worry that everything would show up broken.

As it was Christmas, we did the gift exchange after a traditional ham dinner. Sides included mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, sweet rolls, and sweet corn. My stomach is aching. I don’t know what didn’t agree with me, but it’s painful. I’m going to take an antacid when I get home.

I got the coolest gift from Mellon’s family secret Santa: an owl-decorated single serve teapot and matching cup and a new set of ergonomic crochet hooks! I thought it was a lovely gift. The box it came in was super cute, too. The owl is yet unnamed. Mellon’s brother, Tristan, liked his gifts. I’m glad for that.

When we stopped for fuel and food on the way home, Mellon grabbed a large, stuffed owl Squishmallow for me! It’s the photo of today’s post. I freaking love owls. So it was a great gift.

It’s so late and we’re still an hour plus away from home. I’m going to stretch out and try to catch a nap or something.

Happy Christmas and take your meds, folks!