A Good Day

It's nice to have a generally good day, don't you think? And I did. I had a generally, basically, pretty good day.

Started with a walk. Well, to be honest, it started with an alarm clock that annoyed me beyond belief, and then it continued with me, once again, trying to figure out a justifiable reason to not go walking. I couldn't think of a good enough one, so I insisted on getting out of bed, fired up the computer, put on about forty-two layers of clothing, then checked my e-mail. I was very pleasantly surprised to see that I had won a bid on a pair of asics 2110 running shoes--$15.00 for a gently used pair in what very well may be my size. We'll see when they arrive. Consider this a Christmas gift to myself. And the auction was for a worthy cause; the money went to a nature center in North Carolina. If the shoes don't fit, they've offered a refund, minus shipping costs. I hope they fit!

I actually arrived at my walking spot a few minutes early this morning and was able to take time to read my new bargain book, I'm a Stranger Here by Bill Bryson. It's the first time I've read Bryson, and I'm enjoying it. I'm also reading A New Way to Be Human by Charlie Peacock-Ashworth, but I may have mentioned that before. In it, he mentions an author who just happens to be the sister of the father of Houdin's debate partner. I was impressed with what I read about her, and then realized that the last name sounded familiar. It's not a common last name, so I asked the father at this week's debate session and was pleasantly surprised to find that the connection was there. I have several of her books on hold at the library and will tell more after I've read them.

The walk was brisk and cool at first, but I warmed up fairly quickly. Some days. the walk seems to take forever. Some days, it goes quite quickly. Today, it was medium, but the conversation, as always, was good.

Probably my favorite thing about walking, aside from the great conversation that I just mentioned in the very preceding paragraph--yeah, the very preceding sentence--is what comes right after the walking--THRIFT STORE SHOPPING! I take a very leisurely time checking all of my favorite areas of the thrift store; I check the books, the linens, the furniture, the dishes and mugs, the candles, the purses, the shoes, the coats, and then, the clothes, if I have time and/or need. It's excellent therapy, and quite inexpensive therapy at that. I generally see at least a couple of people I know, too, so it's a lovely social time, as well.

Today, I felt like I hit the jackpot. I found a nice stack of excellent books for decent prices, a good stack of Christmas cards so that we can finish that task (we filled out our last batch of thrift-store cards while listening to Advent a couple of days ago), a couple more dishes for the HUGE stack of plain white vintage ironstone dinner plates in two different patterns that I found earlier this week(bonus! finally a set of Christmas dishes!), a funky shabby chic metal table with white and mint-green paint and several Christmas gifts for the kids that I'm unable to disclose at this particular time, due to the fact that the recipients often read this blog. Hi, recipients!

I stopped at the grocery store and found my very favorite artisan bread in the sale cart. Cool! I vigilantly check this cart whenever I'm in the area for the very specific purpose of buying the bread that I can't afford under normal circumstances. The bread will complete a broccoli cheese soup meal, if it lasts until tomorrow.

When I got home, the mail had run, and in the box was a wonderfully familiar sight--a PaperBackSwap package. It was Brennan Manning's Reflections for Ragamuffins, a daily devotional based on Manning's writing.

This evening, Bo and I headed into town to meet up with fifteen-year-old Houdin who was portraying Peter Cratchit from A Christmas Carol for our town's Victorian night. He looked quite dapper in his thrift-store "Victorian" outfit, borrowed felt tophat and the six-foot-long ribbed scarf I knitted for Bo a couple of years ago for his birthday. The man who played Uncle Scrooge treated Houdin to dinner; they were preparing to eat just as we arrived. Scrooge invited us to order something, so we each had a cup of coffee, which I enjoyed greatly but am now suffering the consequences, at 2 a.m.

Playing at the restaurant was a young man I've been hearing about lately and have been wanting to hear perform. I'd talked to his mother recently about our houseconcerts and she told me about her son's musical endeavors and directions. It was very good to hear him live and chat with him. He seemed like a kindred spirit of sorts, someone who enjoys many of the same musicians we do, and I think it may work out to have him perform a houseconcert in May when he's in town.

At home, the young'uns and I wrapped our homemade caramels, and now they're all pretty and safely hidden, ready to give as Christmas gifts to friends and neighbors. Houdin and I also hope to make cheesecakes to give to neighbors--we've decided on mint chocolate chip.

Now, it's time to clear the clean laundry off of my bed and hit the hay. It's been a good day, and tomorrow, I hope to get the gang in the Christmas spirit by decorating the house. I think I'm looking forward to it--as long as I get enough sleep.

May your days be merry and bright!