Wednesday, December 25, 2002

an old Christmas card for sale on ebay

"How pleasant it must be not to be working on anything. How pleasant to read, uncompromised by purpose. You must feel rich."

Paula Fox, Desperate Charaters, 1970

It is not enough to be h

We don't wake up too early. I get out of bed and shower right away. Maybe I'll take the dog for a walk, but I'll clean up. I dress in jeans and a gray polo. Nothing festive. I intend to layer an old plaid flannel shirt over the polo. But I never put it on. I never take the walk. Not too long after my shower, my dad shows up. He's already been to see the in-laws, to give my father-in-law some Euro coins to peer at with his magnifying glass.

When FFP brings the in-laws, I pull out all the dishes in their pans or refrigerator containers. I heat up only the gravy. Finally everyone makes a plate and microwaves it and eats it. Some friends are coming over, too, but I'm unsure of them and I put everything away except some cheese and vegies and crackers and olives, clean up the plates and silverware. Then they come and I drag out everything they want to try which is almost everything. When they leave, I put it all away, glad to be done with eating for a while.

My in-laws want to go home. I encourage my dad to stay but he says he wants to 'go home and take a nap.' FFP and I are glad to be left to our own devices. We watch Law and Order and some movies. I almost finish the thin novel I've been reading (Desperate Characters). Earlier, when we had company, we watched Singin' in the Rain. That's a good old movie.

The day seemed dead and empty. No exercise. Tomorrow I'll start the short story collection I got for a gift. Today I read a few selections from Dorothy Parker, The Complete Poems. It was relaxing and I know I've nothing much to attend to for the next few days. We'll take FFP's car to get the AC fixed, I'll exercise, I have a couple of lunch dates. Ho. Hum. It feels good to have this freedom. Maybe I'll get started on some of the major and minor projects on my 'to do' list. Just maybe.

JUST TYPING
I don't leave the house.
I pull out leftovers.
Once.
A second time when guests drop by.
A few things to make nachos.
I feel stuffed.
I've sipped at wine.
Drank a Negro Modelo.
Done no exercise.
Considered a walk.
Gotten no further than the driveway to put some dishes in the car for my mother-in-law.
I read. I read some sections of the paper twice.I watch bad movies.