Like everyone else’s, our Christmas celebration took on a different look this year.
We were on again and off again about going to Memphis to see daughter, Anna Lauren and her family. Covid-19 had popped up with some members of the extended family. Wednesday of last week, feeling a bit puny, I went to be checked myself.
As it turned out, it was just sinus and a sore throat. With a shot and some antibiotics I am doing much better and continue to be in the Covid uninfected group.
Since we were all clear and son-in-law Brooks and Anna Lauren had also tested negative, we decided to go spend Christmas with them, but other members of the family, Nancy’s nephew and wife and kids, were unable to make it. With Covid numbers at an all time high that was the best decision, and we vowed to get back together once all of this settles down and transmission is less of a risk.
So Christmas Eve morning we drove up to Memphis. That night Anna Lauren cooked a big pot of White Texas Chili made with chicken and it was great.
Of course Nancy and I got up early Christmas morning about 5:00. Anne Caroline, 16 months old, had not yet been able to rouse her parents but was making noise in the background. We realized it wouldn’t be long.
I had given Nancy her big gift before we left home, which was the completion of her Peter’s Pottery. It has been a good gift choice because I have been getting her pieces for the past couple of years and now she has a set.
Anne Caroline’s gift from us was an outdoor play house. Nancy said it was easy to put together because “it said so on the box.” Well, let me tell you, boxes do not always tell the truth. Brooks and I were outside Christmas Eve in the howling wind with temps in the 20s trying to get the thing together. We were granted a reprieve and got to go in out of the cold about half way through construction. I am guessing the roof is still not attached.
I told Brooks that when he has a son-in-law he should pass on the tradition by getting something that would take a while to put together. This play house came with one square bit to assemble to ten pounds of screws.
It has become a tradition that we have eggs benedict and the works and make a special time of Christmas morning. Brooks was deemed master chef as in the construction project. I might add, he did a great job. Everyone kind of lounged around Christmas Day.
On Saturday morning Mom and I loaded the car and started home. We did stop by Ichiban on the way and have a great lunch of sushi and trimmings. We got home and all the fur babies were thrilled to see us.
When Sunday rolled around, Nancy and I went to church. The crowd was slight, but the weather was nice. Later I got with the guys and played a round of golf. It is hard to imagine playing golf in shirtsleeves on December 27, but the temperatures got up to the low 70s and made for a great day to get out and hit a round.
It’s important to remember that despite all the fun of Christmas, Covid-19 numbers are at an all time high so do not let your guard down going into the new year.
