A small rubber duck sits on a kitchen counter.
Why?
No clue.
He… or possibly she… was briefly blushing in the bedroom, then ogling art in the office, and somehow, kidding around the kitchen. And no, I don’t have a fowl fetish and nor do I collect diminutive toys.
The duck is an item picked up at a drugstore, offered by a friend to make me laugh, and abandoned near the navel oranges, the Roma tomatoes, and the russet potatoes piled in a wicker basket.
Just one of an assortment of objects scattered here and there to be tidied in time for the holidays.
As for any other ducks – in a row or otherwise – let’s just say that my (Christmas) goose is cooked if I don’t get this holiday show on the road. In other words, there’s a small amount of shopping still to do, a tree to decorate, a room to clean, a table to clear off, a stack of bills to pay, gifts to wrap, pomander balls to make and, well… chaussures I need to consider for the festivities.
On the assumption that my little ankle incident of last month allows me that pleasure.
Frantic? Frenetic? Simpler May Be Better
Here’s the thing. I’m feeling rather like the Grinch. I want to find myself brimming over with seasonal spirit, but I’m not quite there. It’s a matter of too much to do, not enough time, and other more pressing priorities. But then, isn’t that always he case – or seems to be?
Aren’t you tired of the rush?
Me, too.
Aren’t you over the “expectations?”
Likewise.
Yes, there is a tree, but it remains naked as a jay bird. (Where ever did that expression come from, anyway?) I have dragged out a shopping bag with strings of white lights, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten other than one antique bowl filled with ornaments and a single poinsettia.
The fact is, I haven’t the desire to go “all out” as I once did – not only because my children are older – but increasingly, I prefer a simpler touch than I once craved.
Mind you, I fully appreciate interiors that are warm and welcoming at Christmas and New Year’s. However, it’s a matter of degree, and I’m not decking the halls to impress, but rather, to embrace.
For me, that means that less is more. And when it comes to getting my ducks in a row, it’s far simpler when there are fewer to manage!
Reading “Re-ducks”
As I roll up my sleeves to get on with the cleaning, the organizing, the wrapping, the tree and so on, as part of getting my ducks in a row today, I hope you won’t mind this hasty hello as I “duck” out of the online world for the afternoon to tend to Real World matters at hand…
If you’re so inclined, enjoy a touch of reading “re-ducks” by way of these items from the archives.
- If you’re newly coupled and anticipating holidays with “blended family” not to mention mixing of kids, siblings, and friends of friends, you may enjoy this: “First Holiday With Blended Families.”
- If you’re starting to stress over getting everything done in time for little ones (or big ones) waking, arriving, or otherwise expecting you to pull out your elfen talents extraordinaire, you may enjoy “Why We Sweat the Small Stuff,” because let’s face it – we often do.
- And speaking of ducks, which remind me of toys… j’ose faire référence aux canards…
On that note, all I can say is tempus fugit… time flies… and I’m turning to my check list, though I’ll be directing myself to conjure lovely holiday thoughts while all activities are in process. Now where on Earth am I going to put that little duck?
Incidentally, there are more mother-daughter essays to come next week. I’m looking forward to them, and again, my thanks to the talented writers participating in this series.
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What a duck! I would expect no less from you – lined up or not.
🙂 Cute, isn’t s/he?