2008 is drawing to a close, and I can't say I'm sorry to see it go. It's been a tough year for everyone, including me, and I'm looking forward to having it behind us. I know the problems that plague us won't be cured on Jan. 1, or even on Jan. 20, but at last, I think this country is ready to take a different route to solving them. Much was made of Obama's book, The Audacity of Hope, but I think much more in terms of the necessity of hope. We haven't had much hope in the last decade, but that's, finally, changing. And it is way overdue. Here's hoping we don't squander it.
I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas. I know the retailers are bemoaning the poor retail sales figures, but that, to me, isn't a signal that Christmas was somehow poorer for it. An interesting sidenote to all the financial doom and gloom was the fact that craft stores were experiencing a large increase in sales this holiday season. People seemed to be taking the plunge into handcrafted items, or in making their own handcrafted items. I think that's wonderful! And while I know that many of the folks plunging into hand crafts this season will drift away once the holiday is over, at least some of them will discover the joy and satisfaction of making things with their own hands and their own creativity. To me, that's a good thing.
Having said that, I have to admit that I didn't make a single thing for Christmas this year. (go ahead, gasp). I did, however, buy some handmade craft items for several people at our annual Harvest Festival. (does that count?). But for my brother, who is VERY difficult to buy for, I opted to give him something he would like, but his wife would never buy for him. (She's German, and frugal (thank God)). So he got an authentic NFL Tony Romo jersey, which he can wear while slavishly watching every Dallas Cowboy game ever played. (Or he can hang on the wall and admire during the offseason.) He's been a Cowboy's fan since he was 8 or so, and now he's 44, so he was due. Thank goodness I was able to find one on discount, though. That shirt retails for $229 -$249 on the official NFL site, and most other retailers. I was appalled that something machine made out of cheap material would cost that much, when handmade items from quality materials so often can't even bring $100 without people complaining. But, I guess you have to figure in the devotion of the NFL fans, which makes them willing to overpay for their toys.
It rained all day on Christmas here. It's the first time I can remember it raining on that day for years and years. I had to laugh, though, when I checked the forecast for the next week. It's cold and overcast, and often raining, until New Year's Day, when it's predicted to be sunny and in the 70s. Never fails, it seems. The one day millions of people will be tuning in to Pasadena, the weather is postcard perfect. All those millions trapped in snow and ice will hate us, just a little, because of that sunny January day. Ah, well. It's better for all those folks riding the floats, anyway.
So, I hope this holiday season finds all of you well and content, that you and your loved ones are safe and warm, and that in this tough time, you've all found the hope you need to carry on.
