A Normal Christmas?

 

 I've seen more people saying, " Will this be out last normal Christmas?" 

I say this, as I know this will be tree day here at the Compound. The day after Thanksgiving is the day the tree will get put up at the Compound in Lemonville.  

I asked last night about it, just in case, well, if has changed, and yes, the tree will go up here. 

And to be honest, this year, I don't care. 

I know in the past I was somewhat glad, but this year, well, "meh" and part of it is, where the tree is placed, I'll have to navigate around it to go to the front of the house, especially when I get up in the dark.  

Perhaps it will be better once it is put up?

It is colder and I do prefer a chill this time of year, but still no Christmas spirit. 

And I dread like crazy going to Christmas family shin-digs this year. And I know one major one will be between Christmas and New Year's. 

Nothing against these people, they're actually lovely folks, I just am to the people I hate being around actual people.  Have to make small talk, have to leave my house and go to Houston, which within itself is a nightmare, the drive alone. 

I know part of it is I taught school so long, there is an element of no control for me in my mind and well, I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut....And often times because in this case, I am an in-law, I feel really out of place.  

And so many people I actually see seem, "Just Exhausted." 

I wonder if we have too many "Pressure Points." 

Cost of living pressures, global tension, financial uncertainty, political instability, are creating an atmosphere that feel odd, not normal, and many people sense this.... 

The world is at an edge. 

The West, Asia, South America, wherever, things are just not quite, " Right." 

The economy, inflation is global,  heck, people are just concerning with having a job. 

I do not know, but the way things are going, perhaps we need to enjoy the holidays more than normal this year. Including myself......It might be the last normal one we have for a while. 

This is not a doom blog. I am not predicting total collapse. Or a Civil War. The end of so-called good times. The old Govteach is just looking around the globe and perhaps, we all need to slow down for a minute. Perhaps this is a good time to rest. Spend time with people you actually care about. Step outside for a walk, a drive around the area. Appreciate what we have before new challenges arrive.  

I'm concerned about what 2026 will bring....