On the First Cold Day of 2018

Today felt like first winter when you're kind of delighted it's Christmastime but the sky is pewter and the air is cold and you wonder if it's ever going to be a bright, sunshiny day again. Halfway between desolation and utter joy.

You think of all the dead, but also of the children who still wonder at the magic. And the knowledge that one day in the not-too-distant future, you'll be among the dead they're missing at the table, wishing you could make it easier for them.

In the meantime, the constellations turn in their heavens and never notice the tiny starts and finishes of the ants who live upon this hill. And people wonder why I never make the bed.

11/01/2018

Versace: Good Will Ambassador

Jane Stubbs Pug Pillow  To purchase, go here.

So this morning, my mail lady knocked on the door to deliver a certified letter. The dog was going nuts, so I asked her to step inside so it wouldn't get out.

"Girl or a boy?" she asked.

"Girl."

"What is her name?"

"Satchie," I replied.

"Oh! A Russian name!"

"Well, it's short for Versace. She's a puggle -- a designer breed, so we named her after a designer."

Noticing her accent, I asked if she was Russian.

"No, I am from Israel."

"What brought you to Natchez?"

"I've been here about a year. I had read about the town and came to see it."

"You've been here a year? How do you like it?"

"I LOVE it, she said. I love small towns and this one is very beautiful and the people are very nice."

"Well, goodness. How nice!"

"My friend from Israel just came here yesterday to see me."

"Well, you two have a Happy Hannukah," I said and smiled.

She looked so surprised that I'd said that.

"Thank you," She said, "And you have a very merry Christmas."

See folks? That wasn't hard. Nobody's holiday is under attack and it's okay to be nice to people.

Happy holidays, everyone.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Photos by Elodie Pritchartt