Some vintage celluloid reindeer are visiting the Lake House.
I wonder – will anyone let them in?
Temperatures are going to be in the 40s for the next 3 days – a definite warmup – with a lot of rain falling on Friday. I suspect that most of the snow will be gone at the end of that day. I do see some new snow in the forecast for next Tuesday and on Christmas day. I would love to see snow falling on Christmas day. Our local weather guys confirmed what both Don and I knew – this is the coldest December in over 10 years. It’s like we jumped to mid-February at the beginning of December. Very, very cold and lots of snow this year. And it’s not even Winter yet – at least, officially.
We’ve been staying close to home, still reeling from the brutal murder of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, by their son. This, just a week after Jubilant Sykes was murdered by his son. How awful it must be for any parent or sibling to live with a family member who is dealing with addiction and serious mental health challenges. Did the Reiners ever worry about their physical safety? Did Jubilant worry? When do you make the decision that that person is a danger to others, especially when it’s your child? And if that person is legally an adult, how much can you really do? It’s just awful. Gut wrenching,
I know how challenging it was to live with my father’s alcoholism. In that case, the worry was that he might take his own life. He certainly threatened to on many occasions. But even though he had a volatile temper, I never felt that he would harm any of us.
My heart aches for the surviving Reiner children, and the Sykes children.
Don and I search for some moments of comfort: in the beauty of our Christmas tree, in a piece of pumpkin pie, in an old movie, in conversations where we try to make sense of the senseless.
“The world is too much with us.” (Wordsworth)
I speak those words often, increasingly so since January of this year.
Sorry to be serious today and not “Merry, Merry Christmas!” There’s a time and a place. I’ll try to take some photos later today of a cheery nature.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
It has been difficult this year for me and my husband to get in the Ho Ho Ho spirit. We’ve tried…listening to Christmas music as often as we can…and trying a few Christmas movies, but it’s all short lived. And these colds…upper respiratory infections, keep hanging on. This past weekend was tragedy after tragedy. It’s been hard to spring back from that. “The world is too much for us.” , perfectly describes how we are feeling.
Our tree is finally up…hope to get the ornaments on today. And our cards are done and sent out. So progress is being made if ever so slowly. Rain is expected here…so our beautiful snow cover may melt away….i hope not. I was really hoping for a white Christmas.
Hope you find some ‘merry’. Enjoy your day! ;)
I understand having trouble getting in the spirit, Donnamae. I’ve done all the decorating, so I have nothing ‘on the docket’ to take my mind off things. Sending you and your husband a virtual hug today, my friend.
Stay safe.
I have so many family worries right now and with the sadness in the news just getting worse each day, I really need the peace and goodwill of this season to help me out soon.
Stay safe, Claudia, and take comfort in each other and in your lovely home.
I’m so sorry to hear you’re dealing with family worries, Ellen. Sending a virtual hug to you today.
Stay safe.
Thank you Claudia, so beautifully written.
Thank you, Janice, for your kind words.
Stay safe.
nodding my head in agreement as i read your words today. so much sadness, worry, fear, so many questions that may never be answered …. no explanation or apology needed about photos being cheery or not.
and yes to prayers, other conversations, searching for and hopefully finding comfort …. a slice of pumpkin pie sounds good, too.
sorry for what you, your father and the rest of your family went through. may you all have peace. thank you for sharing.
hope you get snow on Christmas. we’ve been told not to expect that here … so i will enjoy the snow we have and ever receive, and smile when i hear the news anchors sweetly offer information to worried children about santa’s back-up transportation plans for when there’s no snow. :)
may everyone have what they need, and some wants, too.
xo
kathy
Thanks so much, Kathy.
I love the Santa updates on Christmas Eve.
Stay safe.
We’re all reeling from the terrible news this past weekend. We can’t give into despair or the perpetrators will win. We need to rally our courage and our hope and celebrate the real meaning of Christmas “Peace on earth and good Will towards all ”. Hugs, Elaine
Easier said than done for many. It’s a hard time of year for lots of people, apart from what happened over the weekend. People are on the edge of losing health benefits, or paying much more than they have. It’s a very tough time for many here in America.
Right now, I don’t feel very hopeful, but I know that will change.
Stay safe, Elaine.
I feel like I did when Charle Kirk was murdered….if only we could go back in time and make changes so they could still be alive. But we can’t, so please pray for an answer to our mental health crisis in America!
So sad!
I wasn’t a fan of Charlie Kirk. His beliefs about people of color and women were abhorrent. But no one should be murdered because of their political and/or religious beliefs. That was a sniper shot from a high powered weapon. Terrible, simply terrible.
Thanks so much, Darlene.
Stay safe.
I had never listened to him but his kids and wife…it’s too sad! I agree who cares about beliefs when someone takes a father from his children. And now a child takes his Mother and Father. Mouthy trump has to talk about their political beliefs, who cares they were murdered! Ugh. I can’t!
xoxo
It’s just all too much. I am trying to find quiet and comfort and not watch all the news. Take care and stay warm!
Same here, Linda.
Stay safe.
Thank you for your words so well stated and with heart. These are very dark and sad days.
The little reindeer did bring a smile to my face.
Take Care,
Kaye
Good!
Thanks so much, Kaye.
Stay safe.
It is all too much to take in. So many family issues going on plus all of this bad news is overwhelming. I am having a hard time too getting in the Christmas mood. The first year I did not send cards out. Just could not find the energy.
How does a child kill their parents? God help us all through these troubling times. Take care Claudia and Don. Hope you get snow.
Thanks so much, Deb.
Hang in there.
Stay safe.
It all makes perfect sense, this heavy feeling. I think most of us are feeling that, added with the current political situation and the Crazy Man. I need to savor the peace and loveliness of home, find the joy of the season with friends and hope against hope that 2026 brings better things for us all.
Yes.
Thanks so much, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
These difficult times seem to go on and on. I wish I knew how to change them. For now I am just trying to mange my own emotions. Less news is a good method for me.
Yes. It is for me, too.
Stay safe, Kay.
I am sorry that you had such a difficult childhood. Funny that as close as we were I never knew the seriousness of his disease. Just mentions of a problem. There was no doubt that he loved you all dearly.
He absolutely did love us. No question. He was just trapped in a disease and a cycle\ that Mere and I now think was started after the war. He had PTSD.
Stay safe, Kay.