It seemed to come on so quickly, this yule season. The San Francisco book trip, then the trip for the funeral. I struggled after being in Florida to find a cheerful, joyous, festive place, but it slips in now and again. We were at Scott and Chelsea’s party this past Sunday, and that was, indeed festive. My sons had practiced a clarinet/trumpet duet especially for that night and played it nicely, despite the crowd and the noise. What terrific practice that is, to get up in front of adults and just play. Scott, Chelsea and their sons did a Trapp Family song that was delightful. Just a lovely evening.
I seem to be mostly ready for Christmas, although there is wrapping yet to be done. A Christmas stocking journey for Mom to be made with boys. The day after Christmas my brother arrives with his family, always something to anticipate with pleasure.
The hardest part is to be pulled off the new book, as I need a series of weeks of uninterrupted focus so that I can get into a groove. I will hopefully have that come January, and then the pages will mount and grow. Every time I go back after a short layoff, I find myself rewriting what’s there just to make sure I’m in the head and the voice of the new narrative. Patience and readiness. It will not be long.