I am
repurposing the Christmas card messages I've written since 2001. From old
Christmas cards to new blog posts. One a day. Merry Christmas.
I was thinking about the highlights I might report to you
this year. You know—the Greece vacation, the celebrations. Having my German
daughter Tina in the country for four months. Visits with Rachel in New York
and meeting up with Rachel and Tina at the beach and in Philadelphia. Wonderful
visits from some of you (and where were the REST of you? Huh? Huh?).
But what about the nonhighlights of this year? That’s the
majority of time, after all. That’s what makes the other stuff, well,
highlights. So here’s a report on a regular part of life: crossword puzzles.
Most nights when we crawl into bed (and you should know, in
the spirit of reporting the nonhighlights, that this takes place about 9:30, or,
if we’re really feeling wild and crazy, 10:00), we work on a puzzle. I get to
hold the pen and do the writing, not because of any control issues (please!),
but because when Tom holds the puzzle, I can’t read the clues. But it works
out, because he is still in denial that he has to wear reading glasses, so
reading it from about two feet away works for him.
On our long car trips we do puzzles in the car. The
passenger reads aloud, as in “six-letter word for ‘lament’; second letter R,
with V in the penultimate position.” At Cincinnati family gatherings,
crosswords are a group thing in Mary’s kitchen. They’re also a group thing when
we’re with Rachel (but she has to hold the pen, and it IS a control thing).
My sister Dianne has taken up puzzles, too. One day I
answered the phone and heard “What’s a four-letter word for pitcher?” “Ewer,” I
said without hesitating. Bam! Very gratifying.
Out of space. You’ll have to wait till next year to hear
about such nonhighlights as errands to the bank, post office, and dry cleaners.
I wish you all the best for the
coming year. Merry Christmas!
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