I just got back from a lovely trip to Florida, where I spent Christmas with my brother and his family in Jupiter. There wasn’t as much sun as there usually is in the Sunshine State. But we didn’t let that dampen our holiday enthusiasm.
Christmas Eve and Day were filled with laughter, music, fun, and food with family, friends, and neighbors. For gifts on Christmas morning, I received a pair of sweat pants, a knit cap, and a stocking full of candy. Later, my brother bought me a t-shirt from The Twisted Trunk, a pub he and his wife visit frequently, when we went there after a trip to the beach on one of the few sunny days we had.
Of course, I ate too much while I was there and gained three pounds. On Christmas Eve, we had oyster stew with a variety of appetizers. On Christmas Day, we ate brisket, scalloped potatoes, macaroni and cheese, a vegetable medley, cucumber salad, and hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream, not to mention the French toast and breakfast casserole we consumed that morning while opening presents. The next day, we had brunch at Berry Fresh, an establishment that offered a variety of breakfast and lunch options. A couple of days later, we had lunch at Jumby, a downtown pub that specialized in seafood, among other things. Later, after seeing the movie Wonka, we got pizza from a local family-run establishment.
Since my brother and sister-in-law subscribe to a variety of streaming services, we watched other movies such as A Christmas Story, Elf, and The Sound of Music. The highlights of my stay were that trip to the beach, even though the water was too cold for swimming, and a canoe expedition down the Loxahatchee River, where we spotted some wildlife and I got plenty of material for haiku I’ll no doubt submit for possible publication in The Weekly Avocet. Overall, being with family during the holiday made me smile.
What made you smile this week? You can either answer in the comment field below or click here to participate on your blog and read other answers. Thank you for reading.
Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography
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by Two Pentacles Publishing
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New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me
Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.
Independently published with the help of DLD Books.
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by Two Pentacles Publishing
Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.
After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.
Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?
My Corner 