La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
My plan today before my trip tomorrow is to put away the one bin of Christmas decorations I unpacked this year. I only unpacked the bin containing our Norwegian julenissen which are Christmas household spirits. A nisse is said to wear a red hat, to be under 4 feet tall, and to be temperamental. So, it’s important to keep a julenisse happy by leaving out a bowl of porridge with butter on Christmas Eve or the spirit might turn against its master.
In the same bin was our collection of Santas, as well as some of our pig collection. But more important things, like a walk this morning, were in order. I also made a pharmacy stop on the way back. I’d like to drop a bunch of great things at the charity shop but they close early for siesta. SO it might just wait until mid-January, since that’s one of those things that’s always been my job. We’ll see what the afternoon brings. There are a few last-minute errands to run. San Geraldo doesn’t care how long the Christmas stuff stays out — as long as he’s not the one putting it all away. So I may not get to it.
San Geraldo has a pot of chili on the stove for lunch (and leftovers while I’m gone). He made a delicious salad yesterday.
I’m excited about seeing The Kid Brother this week, as well as some wonderful family and friends. But I find myself, as usual, a bit anxious. I always have a great time but I have to keep the bad childhood memories at bay — or the memories of how I often felt when I lived there. As a “wine lover” friend used to say: Fruit forward!
Mi plan hoy, antes de mi viaje de mañana, es guardar el único contenedor de adornos navideños que desempaqué este año. Sólo desempaqueté el contenedor que contenía nuestras julenissen noruegas, que son bebidas espirituosas navideñas. Se dice que una nisse usa un sombrero rojo, mide menos de 4 pies de altura y es temperamental. Por eso, es importante mantener feliz a una julenisse omitiendo un plato de gachas con mantequilla en Nochebuena o el espíritu podría volverse contra su amo.
En el mismo contenedor estaba nuestra colección de Papá Noel, así como parte de nuestra colección de cerdos. Pero cosas más importantes, como dar un paseo esta mañana, estaban en orden. También hice una parada en una farmacia a la vuelta. Me gustaría dejar un montón de cosas geniales en la tienda benéfica, pero cierran temprano para la siesta. Así que podría esperar hasta mediados de enero, ya que esa es una de esas cosas que siempre ha sido mi trabajo. Veremos qué nos depara la tarde. Hay algunos recados de último momento que hacer. A San Geraldo no le importa cuánto tiempo permanezcan fuera las cosas navideñas, siempre y cuando no sea él quien las guarde todas. Así que puede que no llegue a ello.
San Geraldo tiene una olla de chile en la estufa para el almuerzo (y sobras mientras no estoy). Ayer preparó una ensalada deliciosa.
Estoy emocionado de ver a The Kid Brother esta semana, así como a algunos familiares y amigos maravillosos. Pero, como siempre, me encuentro un poco ansioso. Siempre me lo paso muy bien, pero tengo que mantener a raya los malos recuerdos de la infancia, o los recuerdos de cómo me sentía a menudo cuando vivía allí. Como decía un amigo “amante del vino”: ¡Fruta adelante!
• Los trajimos a casa desde nuestro primer viaje a Noruega en 1998.
• Hecho por la prima de San Geraldo, Ellen, en Bergen, Noruega.
• De los primos Inger y Jan Olaf en Bergen.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
We must keep the gnomes and those like them happy. See you soon,
David:
I do my best.
I love your Xmas decorations. No wonder you displayed the Norwegian ones, very nice indeed. Have a great trip once you get there. The stories of our lives are filled with good times and not-so-good ones ~ maybe only visit the places and people that bring you great memories and laughter.
Ron:
Most places are a mix, but i’m sure I’ll find the good memories, too. Besides, The Kid Brother keeps me distracted.
Oh, I do love your julenissen. I have never heard of those. I would be tempted to keep them out all year.
Funny how in a relationship certain tasks are always expected to be done by one person, other tasks by the other. Our unwritten scripts, so to speak.
I hope you have a good time on your trip. I can see why you are having a little anxiety. There are places I cannot return to because of the memories, and yet, there are places that I love where other horrid things happened. I have theories about why this is.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
The memories are a mix. So I’ll focus on the good. I can remember the exact spot on our street where my sister and I once sang John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt. We sang it in a lot of places, but for some reason we were at our best that afternoon. Crossing the street there makes me smile at the memory.
I know what you mean by bad childhood memories. I lost it at Thanksgiving when a few unexpectedly came to the surface.
Kirk:
I’m so sorry to read this, Kirk. I hope you were able to quickly return to better days. I have those triggers, too. I thought I’d be over them by now.
My dad used to collect pigs! I think my stepmother still has most of them. Keep those gnomes or sprites or whatever they are happy!
You’ll have fun seeing Kid Brother, I’m sure. Will you be blogging from the states? Hope so!
Steve:
Our pig collection started with an antique flat, gray metal pig that was used on a butcher shop. We hung it on a white wall in our kitchen and everyone assumed we were into pigs. We ended up with hundreds — first in the kitchen and then everywhere. Mostly wonderful. However, one friend bought us a 60-pound concrete pig that was painted so hideously it was beyond kitsch. That moved with us for years.
I totally get the bad memories thing. Just do your best, my friend. The Kid Brother is going to be so happy to see you!
I love the little pig ornaments the most!
J Barlow:
We video-chatted last night and he could barely contain his excitement.
I’m not one for Xmas ornaments (we usually merely hang a single humbug from a thread, but didn’t even get that far this year), but I do like the flying pig…
Have a faboo trip to NY, send our love to KB, and don’t worry – it’ll all be absolutely fine! Jx
Jon:
I survive it every year, so this year won’t be any different.
What beautiful, well-curated collections of julenissen, Santas and pigs! Enjoy your time in NYC with the Kid Brother, with an absolute minimum of triggering memories. That’s my New Year’s wish for you.
Debra:
Thanks for that New Year’s wish. It WILL come true.
May your visit with KB be filled with laughter, love and the making of new wonderful memories.
Jim:
It’s going to be a busy trip with every day already booked. KB was so excited last night when we talked.
I put out very few decorations this year and most of them have been tucked back into the closet. Officially you have until January 6th before it’s no longer Christmas. The pigs sure are cute!
Kelly:
The holiday really does run through January 6 here. Three Kings Day is huge. But ours will be extended to the 3rd week in January. Oh well.
I hope the memories don’t intrude on a good time with your NY brother. Safe journey!
Anon:
The time with The Kid Brother will make up for any bad memories.
Try to focus, if you can on the current memories, and leave the past ones in the past if possible.
Our Christmas decorations get put away this weekend; I’m ready for that!
Bob:
I’m tempted to put away the stuff this morning before I go, but that would be a bit much.
Oh, I love these!
Safe travels, and best wishes for good feelings throughout the trip.
Judy C
Judy C:
It will be a good time.
Bon voyage! I hope the weather allows you to be out and about a bit (with your camera). 😉
Walt the Fourth:
I’ll be out and about no matter what. Apparently now there’s a good possibility of rain and even snow while I’m there.
Safe travels
Adam
Thanks. About to take off for Madrid. A bit late, so it will be a hustle in the airport but no problem. Just no stops along the way.