PLAYING HOUSE - FOR REAL...

 

When I was a little girl,

 I loved playing house and

 I was good at it! 

 No matter what the situation, 

I was always the mother.  

The one who cooked and cleaned 

and did the shopping. 

 Certain weeds and flowers

 that grew in my mother's garden

 were stand-ins for groceries 

and my bike was the car 

I drove to the market.

My dad had built

 my siblings and me

 a two room play house

 and this was where 

I spent my days.

 

 Long ago memories 

that have settled down 

into places almost forgotten

 but still very much a part

 of who I am today.

Blogging is like 

giving myself a do-over. 

 Playing house was always fun

 and now, 

because of content and sharing,

 I am giving myself a present

 from the past. 

 Now, making house work fun 

 is about the ideas,

 the implementing of those ideas 

and the photography and the story.  

To me,

 seeing the final details

 is as fulfilling as 

I would imagine 

an author feels 

when finishing 

the writing 

of a book.

Because of the pandemic,

 this year

 the holidays will be quite different. 

 Families will not be 

spending time together around 

the Thanksgiving table 

or the Christmas tree. 

 Our hearts will be sad, 

and our hands won't be held,

 but our spirits will be strong still.

 

 We can hope and pray

 beyond reason 

that this will not be so,

 but most likely 

it will be the way it is. 

 There are great hopes 

starting to come forth 

but, unfortunately, 

not in time for

 this year's celebrations.

Just because extended families

 can't be together, 

that doesn't mean that

those who can 

won't have a

 beautiful and memorable time. 

 I feel so fortunate and blessed 

to be with my friend and partner

 of over 60 years

 and to know that my kids 

are all safe and well.

 I have put myself 

in my playing house mode

and set up a pretty table 

that the two of us will sit at.

  It starts with a lantern,

 that was gifted to me

 from our sweet daughter, 

 along with a fall gathering 

of autumn colors 

that look perfect 

by candle light...

...and place settings that include

 china and cutlery

 thrifted long ago, 

chargers from The Dollar Tree,

 place mats, napkins and napkin rings 

from Pier One, 

salad plates and stemware

 from Home Goods...

...our after dinner tea 

is courtesy of 

Home Goods.

We will sit down to dinner 

with thoughts of loved ones

 and even though 

it won't be a

 traditional time...

...it will be my version 

of playing house for real 

and even though 

it could be better,

 it still is a time 

that we are 

thankful for.

Stay smart

Stay Well

Folks are dying out there

 and that is the 

very real fact 

of our lives now. 

 There is no hope

 that we will have the help 

we need as a country 

until next year,

 vaccine or otherwise, 

so it is up to us 

to take charge 

and do something

 for all our

 fellow human beings.

 

 As you sit around 

your dining table 

this Thanksgiving, 

 please include, in your prayers, 

the ones

 that aren't so lucky 

this year 

and their families 

who are missing them,  

and remember to  

Please,

Wear your Masks!

We are on the verge 

of another total shut down.

  

Those who won't or don't

 wear the mask and self distance,

  are part of the problem - not the solution!

Here is another 

little sneak peek 

of Christmas.

 No,

 I haven't gotten

 my new knickers in a twist 

and become a minimalist, 

there will be

 more added - you can be sure.

...Judy...

Sharing today with:

Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda

and

Keep In Touch at Let's Add Sprinkles