Happy holidays, lizards!

I was surprised at the number of folks that said this year just didn’t feel like Christmas, including my 86 yo mom. The gloom about the upcoming administration seems to have infected the country. My mom lives in a very Republican area (Tennessee) and it sounds like the gloom exists even there (my mom is a Democrat but doesn’t dare discuss it with the local folks).

I was blessed this year with several Christmas celebrations with young grandkids. For the 3 yo, it was the first Christmas where he understood the concept of presents and new toys. His delight was palpable. Saw the older grandkids later and the joy when they received presents they’d been wanting was the best therapy to my cynical and depressed mood.

Donated a new bike to Toys for Tots and donated a goat (via Heifer International) to a needy third world family in my mom’s name.

For me, the best strategy to cope with the upcoming shit-storm is to help bring joy to others, known to me or not, as long as I can.