Am I the only one here that hates Xmas?

[magical thyme]

37. I hated it until I disconnected from my crazy family

I hate the commercialization, the demands at work that we participate in whatever lunacy they foist upon us (thank you, but I really don't want to waste $10 on a generic gift for a stranger and I have enough beige scarves to last a few lifetimes), the crazy people stampeding each other and fighting over stupid black Friday sales, and the decorations and music and advertising now starting before Samhain. I don't mind venturing into the crowds because it's purely voluntary and very temporary.

Now I simply refuse to participate with that side. It's time off from work spent honoring the winter solstice, listening to Windham Hill, eating some special meal or other and being with my fur- and feather-family. Or not, if I'm scheduled at the hospital. It got so much beter after I stopped giving a shit.

For several years, when I reached a small degree of prosperity after years of poverty, I made a practice of giving myself a nice sweater each year as a gift. I now have a humongous collection of sweaters, so gave that up more or less. Nothing can top my hand knit Irish purple sweater with green trees and little white sheep! Then I was able to bring Algiers home on Christmas Eve 10 years ago, and that was HUGE. 2 years later, I got Jakey, my week before Christmas puppy, so it's also our anniversary and that was HUGE. Then I got Dahli, who arrived at 10pm on Christmas eve 7 years ago, and that was HUGE. And I adopted Luna shortly after Christmas, and that was HUGE.

I had actually decided to take the plunge and get my 2nd horse this year, and had found a ride ,weather permitting, between Christmas and New Years. The decision against it was made for me when this week's prediction 8-10" of snow has turned into well over 2 feet, to be followed by days of freezing rain, mixed precip starting on the weekend. Weather is not permitting.

Instead, I'll get some nice things for the dogs, and special treats for all the fur-and-feather family. And celebrate the solstice with Windham Hill.