December

I make no intention of routinely penning these greetings and adieus to the passing months, but it somehow ends up working out that way, like responding to an easy writing prompt. I spent Thanksgiving in an unusually hot and dry San Diego, which allowed for relaxing poolside and wearing only shorts and a t-shirt for a sunset walk. The 8-hour drive to San Diego meant leaving the house at 4 AM on Thanksgiving Day, but strong cold brew coffee, 1989, and the 6 AM sunrise each worked its magic.

I avoided any and all shopping on Black Friday, but did get a few things on Saturday that had nothing to do with the holiday sales. I got a box of ginger tea from a Korean market, and weaved in and out of a few places before settling on just two candles: fraser fir and tobacco & oakwood.

Holidays come and go far too quickly, which explains our swift transition to Christmas soon after Thanksgiving. I saw several newly purchased Christmas trees strapped onto the roofs of cars the day after, and every little downtown I come across is carefully outlined in Christmas lights. The quicker we dive into the merrymaking, the more time we have in its midst. Cheers to the holidays.