more often than not

more often than not, I find myself wishing I was part of a book club.

Yesterday, I went to my favorite bookstore in the whole world. (Wow, that was a bit of an overstatement, I think. Suffice it to say, it's changed my life). I went there to escape my house for a little while because I've been sick. Not dangerously sick or anything, I sensed your concern, just a cold. It is a little bit of a downer on Christmas holidays, but really, I don't have anything to do anyways And this cold gives me an excuse to sit at home and do basically nothing. Dangit, tangent. Anyways, I went to Lemuria and was startled and even a bit upset at first to see that there were 5 million people there. However, with my chai in one hand and a bucket of fierce determination, I stuck it out in hopes of finding a gem or two. And boy, did I. I found exactly what I needed for a good ole fashioned romp. For those of you struggling to find a true translation for the word 'romp', it's basically a rollicking good ride. Good luck translating my translation. I think it comes from the idea of reading non-challenging books whilst on holiday (even if most books I read feel like a challenge anyhow..) Perhaps next time I decide to write something on this here 'blog' (that word makes me nervous) those books I found can be something we can chat about. Once again, I wish I was part of a book club. Then people will be forced to listen to what I say about books.

more often than not, I wished I lived outside.

I know that sounds really unusual. And don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the ingenuity of man to create houses and electricity and running water (all given by God, by the way, just saying). But two days ago, my lovely neighbors and I went to their great tree in their front yard and played. You see, some of the leaves had fallen and we had a blast running around in the leaves, and lying in the leaves, and such. They even buried me in leaves. It was GREAT. I sat underneath that blanket of leaves and thought about how I really wouldn't mind sleeping outside with these leaves all the time. It made me appreciate God, again. He puts me in awe a lot. I'm glad He does. God is good. Pictures from our adventure:

she's a beaut. inside and out.

best frands.

what a wonderful little soul.

best neighbors ever.

more often than not, I find I have ZERO Christmas spirit.. and I don't know why.

Also yesterday (yes, yesterday was an eventful day for me), I got in a truck that we named 'the magical sleigh' and took off for Canton, the "city of lights". The rules for this sleigh ride were strict: 1. No talking about anything other than Christmas things 2. No listening to anything other than Christmas music 3. You must dip your candy canes into the steaming hot chocolate for the full effect 4. You must comment on every single blinking light out there. I knew before I went on this sleigh ride that I'm not one for Christmas spirit, but this year I decided to really REALLY try to get into the 'spirit' (that word also makes me nervous). This year I have honestly put a huge effort into working on my Christmas spirit. Hence, the sleigh ride, the continuous Sufjan Christmas album, etc, because my lack thereof concerns me. And here is my diagnosis: I am a horrible person. Because I have no Christmas spirit. Not one bit. I've tried everything. I've given every bit of the Christmas season a fair shot and nothing makes me giddy or makes me want to give everyone presents or stare at lights for hours. Is this wrong of me? Now, I'm talking simply about the commericial-ly part of Christmas. Not the Jesus part. I love that part. I WILL sing old hymns about Jesus being born in Bethlehem in exactly the wrong way, as seen by the Jews. They were hoping for this marvelous King that would save them from oppression to come in a way a little more... extravagant. But alas, Jesus does love to turn your thinking upside down. He came as a baby, in a dirty stable. With gross animals all around him. God came down from heaven and became man. Jesus was both GOD and man. At one time. This gets me every time. This changes everything. But that's another tangent. So, I take this time to think about that more, and that does make me excited, but those dadgum lights and ornaments and reindeer and fat Santa's do not. Sorry. So do I have Christmas spirit? Or not? What do YOU think?

I'm off to do some more wandering around. If you think about it, leave me a comment on this here thing. I wonder while I'm writing if anyone reads. Godspeed to you all, and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

.m.p.d.