Inventory In December

     Have ya' noticed? It's coming fast; December is upon us. You know what happens in December, right? Yeah; me, too --- all kindsa' fun stuff. Except for the other eleven, the month of December is one 'uh my favorite months of the year. Well, depending on the time of year, that is.

     How's come December is one 'uh my favorites? Well, jus' sit yourself down an I'll tell you summa' the things that make me look forward to this time of year. Alrighty; let's take inventory 'bout the tail-end of the year. First, of course, is the wonder of nature. Snow. I love snow. Shhhh; don't tell anyone what I jus' said on accounta' I've heard that snow isn't necessarily the favorite thing around these parts. Remember; keep it on the QT.

      Naturally, there's a reason I like the white stuff. Wanna' know why? KIDS! As far back as I can remember, wherever there was snow, there was sure to be kids. 'Course, there don't seem to be quite as many kids as when I WAS one, but some of 'em still come drifting outta' the woodwork when the flakes start falling.

     Next on my list of Can't Live Without It is that awesome feeling I get whenever I hear the sounds of Frosty, the Snowman or Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It's hard not to love a season that causes people to create whimsical characters; don't you agree?

     Have you ever noticed how friendly an' happy people are during the last month of the year? Oh, don't get me wrong; I think most people are friendly an' happy most of the time. But in December, it's almost as if we are all bit by the same bug; the Cupid of the holiday season, you might say. The joy is so contagious, in fact, that it might almost be considered an epidemic. Let's hope no one with authority finds the time to wrap their minds around that thought or we might hafta' find new an' creative ways to express all that happiness.

     So, by now, you're pro'lly wonderin' how I've managed to make it this far without a word about the big day. It wasn't easy, lemme' tell you. Christmas is absolutely my favorite, Favorite, FAVORITE day of the year. Nope! Nope! Not for the presents, but for what it represents. You see, it is at this time of year that funny things start happening. I like to think of it like a maple tree whose sap is spilling out at Sugaring Time.

     Look around an' see if you don't agree. You just might catch your neighbor smiling even more than usual. Or, when you aren't lookin', someone might leave a prize on your doorstep; maybe hurry to help you during a difficult time. Could be, you'll find  yourself inviting someone over for a cuppa' hot cocoa an' a chat. See what I mean? For the whole month of December an' maybe even a little longer, you're gonna' start seein' the love come pourin' outta' every person --- like a Maple Tree.

     Now, here's what you wanna' do: act real nonchalant whenever someone is near. Then, when they think you're not lookin',  jus' casually start noticing what's goin' on around you. Uh, huh! See there? Without them even knowing it, you're gonna' catch someone right in the act of bein' nice. Keep on your toes 'cause it's gonna' happen a lot more than you expect. I'd be embarrassed to have anyone mention it, but I sure hope I get caught in an unexpected act of kindness. An' you can be sure I'll be watchin' YOU. Oh, an' guess what I jus' noticed? Whilst I was writing, December jumped in.

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

Traveling Through Life On His Head

     I like kids. Do you like kids? Don't you just love the way they can go into a group of other children and, just as natural as you please, start talking? Gone are the inhibitions that they'll develop later on. Oh, yeah. You know the ones; too shy to speak, worry that someone might think this or that, does my shirt have milk on it?

     I wonder why it is that we learn those fears as we grow older? I've pondered this subject quite a bit, actually and I think it just may have something to do with the years of trying to find our places in life. It seems that at about fifth grade, things begin to change. At least, that's about when they started changing for me.

     Maybe everyone has a nemesis in their lives, just like that girl I told you about yesterday?  I hope not, but there must be some reason why so many of us begin to shrink inside ourselves.
 
     I have one grandie who is a true and natural comic.  You never know what he's gonna' come up with.  The other day, he sort of tumbled down the stairs and when he reached the bottom, he just bounced up and grinned sheepishly, saying, "I wasn't watching where I was going!"
 
     Another time, while playing air-shooting with Mama and big brother, he suddenly announced that he had been shot in the bum.  One of his most interesting habits, in my opinion, is spending most of his time on his head.  Yep!  He watches TV on his head, visits with others while on his head and does way more things on his head than a lot of people can do in an upright position.
 
     He also has a funny little habit of going up the stairs doing somersaults.  You heard me right.  He goes UP the stairs that way.  I used to hang upside-down a lot when I was growing up.  Maybe I affected him, even before he was a thought in Mama or Daddy's minds?  At any rate, he makes it look like so much fun that I even wanna' play.  I hate to tell you what the results of THAT would be.  *sigh*
 
     Oh, to be a child, again.  Until the next time, keep a hug on.
 
 ~ Yaya