I could give the honest but sentimental answer about family coming together and spending time together, but it's true. Did I get what I wanted? I got some things I wanted, and other things which I would never have asked for but which are appreciated.
Also, my cousin gave me a signed first edition of one of my favorite books. A.S. Byatt's Possession. Which I did not ask for, would never occur to me to ever ask for. I have some signed books, but I'm not really a collector, but I was so touched by it. I have no idea how much it cost, but it's just a gift that shows that I was seen and known. Which I think might be something about giving a gift. Not just an expression that we care about someone, but that we know who they are. Not just giving them stuff, which we've all done, but something more.
I do like that description of what gifts could and maybe should say! Have you seen the film adaptation of POSSESSION? I liked it quite a bit, but I always feel alone in that.
I have never seen it. A combination of loving the book and honestly you're the first person who's ever said they really liked it. (And right now in the midst of a first draft of a book that's partly about archival research and takes places in multiple periods, so I won't watch it anytime soon. But I will add it to my list. Thanks for the suggestion)
All I wanted was writing time. In the middle of the night of Christmas Eve, I managed to get in some writing. But Christmas Day, mostly I succumbed to loneliness and a long walk along the L.A. River in the rain. Finally I baked some gingerbread men, who kept me company. Today I feel fortified enough to go back to writing. Thank God Christmas is over!
My daughter, her husband, and my grandson came to spend Christmas with my wife and myself - our first Christmas together with 1 year old plus grandson. It's a very happy Christmas.
The Jesse Welles looks great! I do like what I've heard on socials. We don't do gifts at xmas anymore, for reasons, but a meal together with family makes for fun times. We still have my mom with us and that makes for a good day.
Following up on my last reply, the open house went off with more people than should fit in our house and new dog — whose adoption was finalized the day before — did not trip anyone, knock anyone over, or make it out the door, and only cost us a side of a cheesecake that she got her nose in.
Also scored with my clothes selection for my parents; mom, "we appreciate the way you surreptitiously update our wardrobe."
Got a fleece I wanted, and a comic about the history of cocktails I didn't know existed.
I did, thank you. I got some things I asked for and some unexpected, thoughtful gifts. Most importantly, I got to spend the day with family and we got to look out for my mum on her first Christmas without Dad. All things considered, it was a lovely day and I think that’s all we could ask for.
How did she go without him? I remember watching my grandmother that Christmas, the last person standing of her siblings and her husband - and she never let on. She died before I was old enough to truly understand how full of shit she was and how we all should've admired her more for what she did for us.
She did ok. She took herself off a couple of times for a bit of quiet time but I think she was mostly pleased that everyone was still able to enjoy the day. When I spoke to her about it afterwards she said she knew that Dad would want everyone to have a good time and it was just nice that we were all together.
Hi Cole, I did get what I want for Christmas, saw enough of the family, trust me on that, went out for a lovely Christmas meal to the lochgreen in Troon with my Mum and had a argument with said controlling mum on Boxing Day. I am 45 nearly and still trying to tell me what I should be doing. A lot of lovely gifts including my Dracula’s sexy Christmas story. The silence is now golden and the sighing is even funny. Merry Christmas! The undead one would tell them to F… off.
I could give the honest but sentimental answer about family coming together and spending time together, but it's true. Did I get what I wanted? I got some things I wanted, and other things which I would never have asked for but which are appreciated.
Also, my cousin gave me a signed first edition of one of my favorite books. A.S. Byatt's Possession. Which I did not ask for, would never occur to me to ever ask for. I have some signed books, but I'm not really a collector, but I was so touched by it. I have no idea how much it cost, but it's just a gift that shows that I was seen and known. Which I think might be something about giving a gift. Not just an expression that we care about someone, but that we know who they are. Not just giving them stuff, which we've all done, but something more.
I do like that description of what gifts could and maybe should say! Have you seen the film adaptation of POSSESSION? I liked it quite a bit, but I always feel alone in that.
I have never seen it. A combination of loving the book and honestly you're the first person who's ever said they really liked it. (And right now in the midst of a first draft of a book that's partly about archival research and takes places in multiple periods, so I won't watch it anytime soon. But I will add it to my list. Thanks for the suggestion)
All I wanted was writing time. In the middle of the night of Christmas Eve, I managed to get in some writing. But Christmas Day, mostly I succumbed to loneliness and a long walk along the L.A. River in the rain. Finally I baked some gingerbread men, who kept me company. Today I feel fortified enough to go back to writing. Thank God Christmas is over!
It's not a holiday for everyone, Alexis, that's for sure. Good luck with the writing and 2026!
DM me if you ever need a friend.
My daughter, her husband, and my grandson came to spend Christmas with my wife and myself - our first Christmas together with 1 year old plus grandson. It's a very happy Christmas.
Sounds wonderful, Robert!
Yes, I got peace and quiet and time to write this Christmas. Simple gifts.
This year, I skipped writing on Christmas. I don't do well without at least 30 minutes of creative time. It was...not easy.
I'm old, man, and grew up outside the law. I did everything. There hasn't been anything left on my bucket list for decades.
Although, yes, I did get it. The new season of "Fallout" started dropping. I've been looking forward to that.
Also, the upcoming Chris Nolan "Odyssey". Anticipating entertainment is a major part of what keeps me alive.
I need a woman.
The Jesse Welles looks great! I do like what I've heard on socials. We don't do gifts at xmas anymore, for reasons, but a meal together with family makes for fun times. We still have my mom with us and that makes for a good day.
"For reasons" sounds like there was a brutal fight, a house burned down, and now nobody talks to cousin Barbara anymore.
😂 that’s a way more interesting story!
Following up on my last reply, the open house went off with more people than should fit in our house and new dog — whose adoption was finalized the day before — did not trip anyone, knock anyone over, or make it out the door, and only cost us a side of a cheesecake that she got her nose in.
Also scored with my clothes selection for my parents; mom, "we appreciate the way you surreptitiously update our wardrobe."
Got a fleece I wanted, and a comic about the history of cocktails I didn't know existed.
So — yeah!
I'm glad it all came together!
I did, thank you. I got some things I asked for and some unexpected, thoughtful gifts. Most importantly, I got to spend the day with family and we got to look out for my mum on her first Christmas without Dad. All things considered, it was a lovely day and I think that’s all we could ask for.
How did she go without him? I remember watching my grandmother that Christmas, the last person standing of her siblings and her husband - and she never let on. She died before I was old enough to truly understand how full of shit she was and how we all should've admired her more for what she did for us.
She did ok. She took herself off a couple of times for a bit of quiet time but I think she was mostly pleased that everyone was still able to enjoy the day. When I spoke to her about it afterwards she said she knew that Dad would want everyone to have a good time and it was just nice that we were all together.
Hi Cole, I did get what I want for Christmas, saw enough of the family, trust me on that, went out for a lovely Christmas meal to the lochgreen in Troon with my Mum and had a argument with said controlling mum on Boxing Day. I am 45 nearly and still trying to tell me what I should be doing. A lot of lovely gifts including my Dracula’s sexy Christmas story. The silence is now golden and the sighing is even funny. Merry Christmas! The undead one would tell them to F… off.
Regards
Tracey
Happy Christmas!
Yes, I got it even before Christmas 🫂💖
How mysterious!