Holiday Season 2021, Issue 65

What did I write last year? About the slow march from March 13 to December 25. I was hopeful that we would have a sense of normalcy by Christmas 2021. Mid-way through November, I remained hopeful. It looked like we would get to England for a couple of weeks and come back for a family Christmas.

Then, A New Variant discovered in South Africa!

Omicron means “little O” compared to “great O” as in Omega. Well, Omicron has caused a big mess. I hope we never see an Omega variant. It promises a “greater” mess?

I cancelled our trip to England. The size of our holiday celebration has dwindled. We planned for 16 people and we are now down to five. Maybe this wild-fire COVID19 variant will burn out so that we make Paris at the end of February. I think any plans for Bordeaux are shot.

There is much material to write a diatribe about the lack of real political leadership which has caused this outbreak to be worse than needed. But, I have spent too much time being angry and frustrated. And, there will be time for that in the New Year.

So Some Suggestions for this Holiday season:

Don’t watch too many newscasts. All day news does nothing but raise anxiety levels. We can get all the information we need from one news show a day.
Dispense with the analysis. Analysts don’t thrive on making people feel better but on feeding paranoia.
We all know – well, most of us know – what we should be doing. Masks, fewer contacts, get all of the vaccine doses offered, avoid crowds, used rapid testing.
Get outside. Walk! Bring a thermos of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate to enjoy on a park bench or sitting on a snowbank. In a warmer climate – adjust activities!
Smile and be kind! It is too easy to be mad!

Celebrate

Contribute to the charities of your choice and only then…

Buy and, more importantly, drink Champagne
Splurge on better wine – it is such a shame to waste calories on bad wine
Don’t think turkey – think oysters, lobster, crab, shrimps, smoked salmon
Think roast beef with foie gras
Roast your potatoes in duck fat ….. black or white truffles anyone? or fresh and fragrant Rosemary?
Get fabulous cheese. If you can find it, buy Mascarpone Gorgonzola – very decadent
Prepare and deliver care boxes to those who should be celebrating with you in person
Oh! and drink champagne with breakfast!

Rest

I don’t know about you, but I still feel guilty just crashing in front of the TV but I feel so good after “losing” an afternoon doing just that, so:

Take an afternoon nap
Indulge a guilty pleasure such as watching television sports or bad movies or whatever, as long as it isn’t illegal
Wear out your TV subscriptions
Get to bed early, get up late
And don’t forget the champagne