My First Christmas in Shadow Catcher (2017)
Hello Everyone! I’m going to keep it short and sweet this week as I’m busy getting ready for Christmas with my family here in Washington D.C. and it’s already getting pretty late here as I begin this week’s post. It’s been a busy week, but not an overwhelmingly exciting one which is just fine with me. There’s been lots of Christmas music, Christmas movies, Christmas present wrapping and Christmas shopping, and I have been getting out into the city a little bit this week as well. I’ve spent most of the Christmases in my life here at home in Washington, so it feels very normal and comfortable to be here this time of year. Sadly, most of the things we normally do during the holiday season aren’t happening this year, but that just re-emphasizes the need to enjoy things while they last because you never know what the future holds. Either way, it’s always good to be home for the holidays.
The long anticipated vaccine has begun its initial roll-out, and I’m glad to see many government officials getting theirs and attempting to boost public confidence. There was also a stimulus bill which was passed this week. I really wish that congress was a little more in touch with the reality of the situation and had passed a much needed relief bill instead. There are plenty of people doing just fine out there for whom a check from the government isn’t really needed. There are others who are out of work, whose unemployment benefits ran out long ago and who only still have a roof over their heads because of the eviction moratorium. For many of these people $600 will be well received, but will hardly make much of a dent in their financial struggles. This needed to pass months ago as a separate bill and it needed to have a much clearer focus. I guess it is better than nothing, but not by much.
I had a great week with young Mason as he continues to grow and learn. Winter hasn’t broken his spirit at all and we’re still outside most days despite the cold temperatures. We’ve been enjoying the holiday decorations, walking on thin ice, and a couple of little arts and crafts projects as well. We made some really cool Christmas ornaments this week with some hollow plastic ornaments I got for just the occasion. We filled them with his favorite treasures from our walks - from berries and mushrooms to pine cones, cedar needles and holly clippings, and then hung them near the bottom of the tree so he can enjoy them whenever he wants. He still likes the firetruck, snowmen, rocking horse and White House more, but I think he likes the ones we made as well.
Christmas in Charleston S.C.
This week I also finally got my new crown on the tooth which has been missing since March. I am very happy and grateful for that, and hope to not break any more teeth for a long time. I also found someone to do one of the two repair jobs that Shadow Catcher still needs done to be ready to roll when the time is right. Between the vaccine and these things I just mentioned, I finally feel as though I’m making some progress towards my goal of getting out of here before the summer. That’s a really good feeling and I’m really hoping to end this year with those good feelings about the future.
Other than that, it’s been mostly preparing for the holidays and the meals we’re going to cook together. We’ve been doing a lot of shopping and I finally think we’re prepared to begin cooking tomorrow morning (Christmas Eve) and continue for the next three days. Tuesday evening, we went out to a wonderful drive-through light display at the Mormon Temple just outside the beltway. It was very well organized and beautiful, and I’m really glad we went. My folks and I went out to visit my uncle today in Warrenton and bring him some gifts for the holidays. We haven’t seen him since before the pandemic hit, so it was nice to at least stop by and say hello, even for just a few minutes. Then tonight we went out for a drive around downtown D.C. to see the giant wreaths at Union Station, the big trees at the Capitol and the White House, and some of the other wonderful decorations around the city. This is something I’ve done either by myself or with a tour group almost every year for a very long time. It’s usually great because the city clears out for the holidays as all the students and government workers head back to wherever they are from. Normally I can whiz around here and there and everywhere and enjoy the relatively empty city. Tonight, though, it was very apparent that way more people are around than normal. There were a ton of cars on the roads, and all of the delivery drivers of all sorts were double and triple parked wherever I turned. It wasn’t the pleasant romp around the city it normally is, but it was still nice to be out there.
The next few days will be busy with the family, cooking and enjoying the wonders of the season. Hopefully either Sunday or Monday I plan on packing up my van and heading out of town for a few days. I want to go to the ocean and breathe the salt air, even if the days are short and the air is cold. I could use a few days away from the city as well, and as much as I love everyone I’ve been spending this year with, I’m pretty used to being alone and a few days on my own is much needed right about now. Hopefully the weather will at least cooperate for a day or two, but we will see. Other than that, I just want to try and catch up on some projects, catch up on some rest, and get organized and ready to ring in the new year. I have a feeling that 2021 is going to be a really good year and I’m looking forward to it.
I will probably take next week off from writing this post, but will definitely catch up with y’all in the new year. Have a wonderful week, enjoy your Christmas celebrations whatever they may be or just a few days with family if Christmas isn’t on your calendar. Whatever your week brings, I hope you all get some rest out there. It’s been a rough year, and I think we all deserve it. Take care and stay safe out there and if you don’t hear from me next week, I’ll see you in 2021. Thanks, as always, for reading.
-Mike