The Christmas Ramble That I Do So Well

I wanted to write something for Christmas because it really *is* a special time of the year, whether or not there are presents. Y’know what? It’s much harder than you would expect to make the mind flip from politics. I’ve been sitting here, looking at a blank page in Word and wondering what the hail I was going to say for a good hour, and finally decided just to start typing.

Christmas and the Winter Solstice are really close together in December. One is a time of rebirth for mainstream religion. The Winter Solstice is a time of year when all that has died or gone into hibernation stretches and thinks about warmer days to come, the birth of a new season, and the time of rebirth in its own way. One is mainstream, one is not. However, both are times of rebirth.

Religion is such a touchy subject. I left mainstream religion a long time ago for reasons I won’t go into. I’ll give you a hint, though – rigidity. It didn’t work for me anymore, so I left. It’s right for many people. The thing is, everyone keeps forgetting it’s a *personal* choice, and they need to stop weaponizing, blaming, and abusing. That said, let us move merrily along.

Christmas has been difficult for our household since I ended up in the hospital the first time. We couldn’t, and still can’t, afford presents for anyone, not even something little. We like giving presents – we put a lot of thought into it to find something we are more or less certain they’ll like. Instead, we can give ourselves some time. It’s humiliating. Now, NO ONE has bothered us in the slightest about presents. We know they aren’t necessary, but sometimes it really hurts. We know it’s not about presents, but. But.

So I’m a little melancholy today. I think about all the stupid, abusive, and unnecessary hell going on in our world and wonder what happened for this to get so bad. We have an orange-faced president who has blown the separation of the 3 branches of government out of the water, and it isn’t coming back down.

You see how I just slipped back into politics there, even though I’m trying for a politics-free zone. It’s hard not to with the hell it is now to live in our country. It really is hell, unless you’re a gazillionaire. Can’t stand those arrogant … people.

I probably ought not be writing this late. I could descend into silliness at any time now, just like I did last night (even if no one noticed). I’m overtired and ate too much. I need to go have a battery-powered shark chase me around a bit to work off some of that food. One thing is for sure – you don’t need to look over your shoulder to see said shark because he’s *always* there and will bite you in the butt if you slow down. Do you think we could make a fitness club including that? We’d have to have them sign a waiver if they decide to go boogie with the sharks. “I have entered of my own free will with the understanding that I could die from a shark attack.” Only the good die young (bonus points if you know the song).

And now I’m falling asleep in my chair. Time to go. Merry Christmas, everyone. See you again on New Year’s Eve!

Friends, I know everyone begs you for money, especially around the holidays. I promise, among all those asking for spare change, we are the smallest and the hardest working. We’re a group of old, disabled people, except for one writer in his mid-50s. The rest of us are in our sixties and seventies, and this is a labor of love. All we’re asking for is the chance to keep telling the truth about Trump and help ensure democracy survives. If you can help, please do. Thank you. Ursula

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