Holiday Traditions

Merry Christmas to All

We all have our holiday traditions. Mine will be a little askew this year as I am not doing all the barn work.

Part of my tradition is to make sure the stalls are super clean and bedded for Christmas Eve just in case the Christ Child happens by. My barn has a star on the run in roof which I will be sure is lit for the evening as well. Because I haven't been doing all the evening chores lately, I have not turned on the lights every other night. Tonight will be special.

The Boys do not get presents exactly. I did buy two new blankets for Chance and Toby, and will probably dress Toby in his today--Chance is already wearing his. Otherwise, my Boys have just about everything any horse could want, so they don't need much.

Except for the carrots and apples. Each year I go to the supermarket and buy fresh carrots with the greens still attached. Normally, carrots around here are sold in cellophane bags with the greenery cut off. The greenery carrots come in small bunches of five or six and cost a lot more. But, when it's a Christmast present, it's worth it. Apples? Again they are packed in cellophane bags sold in three and five pound lots. I managed to find two nice five pound bags, so we are well set there too. I could have gone to one of the orchard farms around here to get a basketful of local apples, but again, my physical limits this year put a damper on that idea.

The Boys get their treats in the evening and late night feeds Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning. The apples last longer as I only feed them one at a time, spreading the holiday cheer over the week.

Christmas Eve for me is usually spent with my small remaining family--two sets of cousins and my aunt. My nephews and sister-in-law are on the West Coast now, so I don't see them much. Years ago, we all used to go to my grandmother's house just up the road where my father's whole family would gather and this little group is all that's left to hold up the family tradition. My Aunt used to live next door but since has moved to her son's house. Now her daughter will be hosting the annual Christmas Eve celebration. She does not live far from here so I'll be fine going over for a while--until I wear out, as I am still kind of tired much of the time.

Some years I go to one of the three church services my church offers, especially if I am singing. This year, however, I am not planning on that, as pretty as it may be. I think the family event will be more than enough for me.

I make a point of getting myself home in plenty of time to visit my barn at midnight. I love the old legend of how the animals talk on Christmas Eve and keep hoping I will drop in on a horsey conversation during the magic hour.

Christmas Day plans are up in the air. There is definitely a family dinner, but for me it's on hold until I see how I feel.

Whatever your traditions, whatever your plans, may the season bring you all the joy, hope, love and peace it has promised for centuries.

Merry Christmas to all!