Porthole

The Next Sixteen Days

I commented on tah2o's blog:

My friends gave me presents at lunch today. I don't celebrate any holidays at this time of year, but what could I do? I drew the line at opening them in front of everyone. But I have been that way since I was a child.

I'm glad you-all love games. I hated them. Hurt every time. I also don't tolerate crowds of shoppers. No shopping for me. So... I'm glad I haven't been invited to any parties I have to say no to.

The next 16 days will be difficult for me. I usually try not to be here this time of year. But, here I am. At least the Senior Center will be mostly open.

As for hot cocoa... I'm making some as I write.

Now... people who work... like teachers and professors... can look forward to these days off. A time to refresh mentally and physically.

But I dread them.

This town turns ghostly when the university students leave and I have no family and few close friends here. The skies turn grey and stay grey day-after-miserable-day. We suffer from inversion snuggled here in the valley.

I just want to sleep.

So what will I do?

There's a chance to arrange the next trip or two or three. I have enough money. I checked. I could focus on making booklets of poetry, flash fiction or photos for my avid fans (all four of them... but they have asked...). I could continue to binge on Chinese internet series. Working on another. I have plenty to read. Picked up more discarded books tonight.

I'll probably sleep too much. I tend to hibernate.

I'll survive, just like I do every winter.

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