The following article was submitted by Therese Horstketter, an Adult Services Associate at the Manitowoc Public Library.
Let’s reminisce . . .
It’s early October as I begin this article.
It seems impossible, but we are back to my favorite time of the year. I love the colors, the huggy feel of a cozy sweater, or snuggling into a warm blanket in my chair. I open the blinds in our bedroom in the morning and there is a blaze of color from the tree directly across the street, framed in our window. Breathtaking. And a wonderful way to start a day.
Fall sets off a string of holidays and events that somewhat rush us through the end of the year.
Light dims earlier, outdoor color changes, and the appearance of pumpkins and fall decor kick off the start to this last quarter-year.
Do you remember trick-or-treating when you were younger and what you went as? The one costume I recall—with the nylon one-piece costume and the plastic mask—was Huckleberry Hound. And that reminds me of the Seinfeld line about the stretchy band that held the mask on: “Trick or . . . SNAP!” And you wound up carrying your mask all night after that elastic band broke at the first house.
This is the time of year when I am looking forward to the upcoming holidays at a distance, and with a little mellow glow.
Thanksgiving, to many people I’ve known, is their favorite holiday of the year.
There is a different kind of planning for this celebration in that it’s all about preparing food and sitting down together to share a meal—even if a large group really needs to cram into a small space and pass dishes back and forth between tables. There’s usually not a hurried feel, and people tend to stay at the table to visit, and relax, eat a bit more, and just “be” in the moment. Playing cards—mainly Sheepshead—was a big part of our Thanksgiving for many, many years, and unfortunately we’ve lost some of our card players along the way.
This is the time of year when I fool myself that I have a good start on Christmas gifts and baking. There is still a mellow glow, but my mind interrupts a lot with my ongoing lists of things to do.
Late November and early December are always busy, no matter how we plan to celebrate Christmas. Decorations, food, and gifts are all staples, just to larger or smaller amounts
As a child, I loved getting up on Christmas morning to find a decorated tree in our living room, that hadn’t been there the night before, along with all the gifts underneath. After opening gifts, we would head out to my Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Two of my uncles’ families also came, so we had a pretty decent house full for our holiday meal. We had the “big people’s” table and the “kids’” tables. We would just run dishes in and out of the rooms to each other.
After the meal my grandma and her twin sister would work next to each other at the sink, laughing and speaking in Polish—which none of us understood. But, we knew they were having a good time!
My grandpa would give me a sip of his brandy and egg nog—I was always entranced by the way the two liquids separated when they were poured into a single glass together.
And in the nice, warm houseful of people, with the sun beating into the living room, we had couch sleepers. If you watched Friends, or catch it in reruns, remember when Joey and Ross accidentally took a nap, snuggled-up together? Well, picture that scenario, but each year with three or four various relatives, mostly upright, and unknowingly enjoying a nap together.
After having my own home, with my husband and son, we started hosting Christmas day for my family and did so for 20+ years. I love cooking, and a houseful of people to enjoy the day together. We’ve added many family members, big and little.
My dad was always a highlight, as he arrived in his Christmas outfit complete with Christmas plaid pants, a Grinch sweatshirt, a giant holiday pin and a potholder emblazoned with a holiday theme. The crowning glory was the year he topped it all with Christmas boxer shorts—on the outside of his pants. I don’t remember just when it started or when it came together for good, but we enjoyed it until the last Christmas we shared with him.
This is the time of year when I get to look back on the past year. So many years of memories. I always declare the current year’s Christmas to have been as nice as it could be.
I’m thoughtful and thankful . . . and thinking of plans for next year.
