More Light: Things that happened in December 2025

Maybe I could make a card out of this photo.

Things that Happened In December 2025

Witnessed the swearing in of the School Board candidates I worked so hard

to get elected.  All four of our candidates won.

Got my car inspected within the deadline (THAT’s a miracle).  It passed without repairs.  Yay!

Attended a political rally in the cold cold cold.

Attended outdoor Hanukkah menorah lighting with our synagogue in the

cold cold cold.   An act of defiance and an act of bringing more light into the world.

We frozed our tuchuses off.

The Common Household Husband got two flat tires by driving his EV over a large pothole (which was disguised as a puddle, as potholes often are). Do not recommend.

Sang in the church cantata.  Practiced music for family talent show. Band concert.  Symphony.  If it weren’t for the music, we would not be.  

stockings with the obligatory fruits

Wrapped gifts, stuffed stockings, provided ingredients for others to bake cookies.  Ate cookies.  A lot of cookies.

Christmas Cookie Carbohydrate Center

I believe the mud-colored icing
on the United States cookie
was intentional.

Picked up the “Blind Date with a Book” items I ordered from our library’s fundraiser.  I get them mainly because they are so beautifully wrapped.  The librarian picks a book from one of 6 categories (I request the category) but you don’t know what the book is until you open the gift. Each book comes with a pen, and bookmark, a hot chocolate packet, and a peppermint.

My only mistake was not getting one for myself.

Made progress on estate matters.  But it is still not done yet.  Will be two years in March 2026.

The CHH cleaned out some of the shelves in the front closet.  Still more to do there.

Read scripture at Christmas Eve worship.  “In the beginning was the Word …The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.”  Played piano accompaniment for a duet “Gesu Bambino”.   Bringing more light into this dark world.

Christmas morning with the family. Much fun.

Figured out what to make for dinners.  This had ceased to be an issue in this

empty-nester house, but one adult child came home on Dec 18th to stay for

several weeks, so meal planning was required.  Bonus: That adult child

cooked many of the meals. Yessss!

Kept up with a more hectic work schedule, brought on by the emergence from the federal government shutdown.  One of the agencies whose reports I summarize went from once a week to twice a week publication.  

Had a bunch of medical tests which I had put off until after the election. In retrospect, I do not recommend delaying such things.  Because the ultimate triumph in politics and elections is outliving the f#&*ers and living to vote in every next election.  One test revealed that there is no life-threatening issue behind my pulsatile tinnitus, so it’s relegated to the status of Really Annoying But Not Painful or Dooming.  However, that test uncovered another issue of concern, which, after even further testing, was determined to not be of immediate concern.  Return for repeat testing in a year and don’t think about it until told to.  Another type of test was inconclusive, so more testing must be done.

After Christmas, we joined the extended family for a gathering at a place that housed all 18 of us in one building.  A huge blessing to be with those people.  My generation is now the oldest generation in the family so I count every moment we can spend with them as an unearned moment of grace.  (Except maybe for the moment where someone was stomping around at 11:30 PM in the room over our heads.  That was a moment of tolerance practiced.)

Shenandoah Valley

Finally superglued my shoe!  Have not yet tested it out.

Accompanied the Common Household Husband driving to a New Year’s Eve party in a blinding snowstorm.  Other people had the sense to stay home, but not the CHH.  I went mainly because staying home and wondering if he was lying in a ditch would be more painful.   Made it there and back (by 10:30 PM).