Like most of your more introspective essays, this one hit home to me. I've had my share of somewhat "detached" Christmases in the past, and surprisingly am again this year.
Still, putting such things in the broader perspective of the advent of a new year, plus counting one's blessings, is always helpful.
All of us have different "stories families tell" around the dinner table. My father had set the tone when I was growing up...he did all the cooking, and the 5 of us learned to take smaller portions the first time around, since he would have his feelings hurt if we didn't take seconds! He would entertain us by telling us the "story" behind the evening's meal. He would describe plowing the fields for corn, wheat, peas, whatever...watering, harvesting. Hunting for our meat, winnowing the chaff from the wheat...grinding the grains for bread. Of course, those were childhood memories in North Georgia. Besides the cooking, he did all the shopping. Winn Dixie and Piggly Wiggly were his hunting grounds.
Along with my Southern heritage of Hoppin' John, Sea Island Shrimp, cornbread, and sweet tea, I have brought to today's Pacific NW table, "we have a long row to hoe," and other idioms. (Some of these says are not allowed to be spoken out loud on our fishing boat because of superstitions.) But one of my favorite "Papa sayings," spoken when company was leaving after a meal, was "come again, and bring your dog," which lets folks know that they are REALLY welcome to come again. Haha!
These days, with younger adults around this table of two 70 odd year olds...the phrases added to all the others are of this ilk: "What Would Jimmy Carter Do?" Many years ago I purchased "Hunt, Gather, Cook, " and then "What Would Hank Shaw Do" was added to dinner talk. Last night's wonderful birria prepared by our daughter was followed by the discussion of the cookbook to come. She said, how many birria recipes will Hank include?" So...you may not be spending the Christmas holidays with us, but you kinda are...and next time bring your dog, too!
About 20 years ago, inspired by the Julia Child and Jacques Pepin cooking series and cookbook, I bought a refridgerator magnet with "WWJD" on it. I put on my fridge and when cooking, read it as "What Would Jacques (and/or Julia) Do?"
That's so sweet! A great story, and all those things in north Georgia could have been in North Dakota or eastern Washington. Shows we're not all that different across our regions.
Absolutely wonderful and happy for you! Was and have been going through the same thing at the same time. And because of you my next website post. Will be called Making Stock and Taking Stock. two of my favorite things to do. Both healthy and rewarding.
One of my hardest life lessons: The Universe's timetable. Last year's Christmas note was the right thing at the right time. This year's - ditto: The right thing at the right time. You wouldn't have been able to do this one without the first one. Congratulations! That's a wonderful Christmas present (I hate to use the word 'miracle' but if the ski boot fits....). Wishing you a continuing of these blessings in 2025...and yep, you did leave out the eggs in the Strata recipe :-) , but please don't take that too hard in the giant scheme of Things. :-)
Great words to heed in the coming year. As I think of “desire” and “intention”, they are making my mental gears grind a bit, thinking of the next 12 months. A new chapter in life, a new story to tell, new life goals to set and strive for.
And, most of all, gratitude for the experiences and people in our lives. I think I can speak for all of your readers when I say that we are grateful to experience you in our lives. Merry Christmas, Hank and here’s wishing you an amazing 2025!
Always enjoyable to wake up to your writing. Goes very well with my morning coffee and the pondering I tend to do. Looking forward to my walk this morning and looking forward to Borderlands. Have a great Christmas Hank!
Christmas is a prime time for reflection, although in our household we kind of focus on the Solstice instead. Point being, though, that this time of year with the long nights and short days, and the dying back tend to give space to contemplation of... well, pretty much anything that's on our minds.
Speaking of Zen, by the way, I believe there's a lot to it that's worth taking away. I've not gone Buddhist and don't even really sit in any kind of traditional meditation, but the principles and ideology have been pretty helpful to me. Not to be an evangelist, but...
Like most of your more introspective essays, this one hit home to me. I've had my share of somewhat "detached" Christmases in the past, and surprisingly am again this year.
Still, putting such things in the broader perspective of the advent of a new year, plus counting one's blessings, is always helpful.
All of us have different "stories families tell" around the dinner table. My father had set the tone when I was growing up...he did all the cooking, and the 5 of us learned to take smaller portions the first time around, since he would have his feelings hurt if we didn't take seconds! He would entertain us by telling us the "story" behind the evening's meal. He would describe plowing the fields for corn, wheat, peas, whatever...watering, harvesting. Hunting for our meat, winnowing the chaff from the wheat...grinding the grains for bread. Of course, those were childhood memories in North Georgia. Besides the cooking, he did all the shopping. Winn Dixie and Piggly Wiggly were his hunting grounds.
Along with my Southern heritage of Hoppin' John, Sea Island Shrimp, cornbread, and sweet tea, I have brought to today's Pacific NW table, "we have a long row to hoe," and other idioms. (Some of these says are not allowed to be spoken out loud on our fishing boat because of superstitions.) But one of my favorite "Papa sayings," spoken when company was leaving after a meal, was "come again, and bring your dog," which lets folks know that they are REALLY welcome to come again. Haha!
These days, with younger adults around this table of two 70 odd year olds...the phrases added to all the others are of this ilk: "What Would Jimmy Carter Do?" Many years ago I purchased "Hunt, Gather, Cook, " and then "What Would Hank Shaw Do" was added to dinner talk. Last night's wonderful birria prepared by our daughter was followed by the discussion of the cookbook to come. She said, how many birria recipes will Hank include?" So...you may not be spending the Christmas holidays with us, but you kinda are...and next time bring your dog, too!
About 20 years ago, inspired by the Julia Child and Jacques Pepin cooking series and cookbook, I bought a refridgerator magnet with "WWJD" on it. I put on my fridge and when cooking, read it as "What Would Jacques (and/or Julia) Do?"
That's so sweet! A great story, and all those things in north Georgia could have been in North Dakota or eastern Washington. Shows we're not all that different across our regions.
Merry Christmas, pal.
Absolutely wonderful and happy for you! Was and have been going through the same thing at the same time. And because of you my next website post. Will be called Making Stock and Taking Stock. two of my favorite things to do. Both healthy and rewarding.
One of my hardest life lessons: The Universe's timetable. Last year's Christmas note was the right thing at the right time. This year's - ditto: The right thing at the right time. You wouldn't have been able to do this one without the first one. Congratulations! That's a wonderful Christmas present (I hate to use the word 'miracle' but if the ski boot fits....). Wishing you a continuing of these blessings in 2025...and yep, you did leave out the eggs in the Strata recipe :-) , but please don't take that too hard in the giant scheme of Things. :-)
HAHAHA. Fixed that. Six eggs... ope.
“gratitude, intention, desire”
Great words to heed in the coming year. As I think of “desire” and “intention”, they are making my mental gears grind a bit, thinking of the next 12 months. A new chapter in life, a new story to tell, new life goals to set and strive for.
And, most of all, gratitude for the experiences and people in our lives. I think I can speak for all of your readers when I say that we are grateful to experience you in our lives. Merry Christmas, Hank and here’s wishing you an amazing 2025!
Always enjoyable to wake up to your writing. Goes very well with my morning coffee and the pondering I tend to do. Looking forward to my walk this morning and looking forward to Borderlands. Have a great Christmas Hank!
Frilluftsliv..as my Norwegian ancestors say. I think you already do that with your many outdoor pursuits. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Hank.
Christmas is a prime time for reflection, although in our household we kind of focus on the Solstice instead. Point being, though, that this time of year with the long nights and short days, and the dying back tend to give space to contemplation of... well, pretty much anything that's on our minds.
Speaking of Zen, by the way, I believe there's a lot to it that's worth taking away. I've not gone Buddhist and don't even really sit in any kind of traditional meditation, but the principles and ideology have been pretty helpful to me. Not to be an evangelist, but...
Merry Christmas Hank! Thank you for another insightful article.
Merry Christmas Hank!
Merry Christmas, Hank!
Merry Christmas, Hank! Defeat is never fatal unless you quit.
Merry Christmas Hank.