balzaccom
Trail Wise!
Waiting for spring...
Posts: 4,513
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Post by balzaccom on Dec 8, 2023 16:13:09 GMT -8
The season is now officially underway.
Today we put up our Christmas tree, along with the now venerated (and showing their age) decorations on the outside of the house. And we'll be hosting the festivities this year, rather than traveling. That means less worry about airports and connections, more worries about food, drink, and the like.
But our younger daughter sent out a note a couple of weeks ago, and I thought I'd share it with you. It's a good idea, and we've embraced it. mainly, as a way of going forward. She's in a Master's program on sustainbility at all levels, which prompted this email:
But our younger daughter sent out a note a couple of weeks ago, and I thought I'd share it with you. It's a good idea, and we've embraced it. mainly, as a way of going forward. She's in a Master's program on sustainbility at all levels, which prompted this email:
"As you know, I am studying degrowth, and have become very deeply aware of all the resources and materials that need to be mined and extracted, at high environmental and human cost, to create all the things we use every day--many of which we can do without. As a result, I am struggling a bit to think of things that I would ask for (or give) for Christmas this year!
I would love to get you all things you actually really want and/or need, so welcome any lists you can put together so I can get/make you things you really want! I would also suggest that I personally am very open to used/secondhand things, rather than brand new versions, as well as versions of things using recycled/renewable/ethically produced (ie people paid a living wage).
I would be happy to receive more modest gifts this year, and perhaps some of you would too, and instead focus more on doing things together (cooking, eating, museums/parks, maybe spa time?)."
All in favor, say aye!
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,994
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Post by driftwoody on Dec 8, 2023 17:36:42 GMT -8
Without the material gifts, we could all gather around in a circle and sing joyously in the Christmas spirit like Cindy Lu and all the other residents of Whoville after the Grinch stole all their stuff.
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ErnieW
Trail Wise!
I want to backpack
Posts: 9,925
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Post by ErnieW on Dec 8, 2023 18:29:56 GMT -8
First happy holidays wishes for all.
I like the wish for a simpler holiday. I can't say much more on degrowth here. It's an important but charged topic. Maybe a thread in TPA?
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Travis
Trail Wise!
WYOMING NATIVE
Posts: 2,586
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Post by Travis on Dec 8, 2023 19:56:17 GMT -8
But our younger daughter sent out a note... "I personally am very open to used/secondhand things, rather than brand new versions, as well as versions of things using recycled/renewable/ethically produced (ie people paid a living wage). I would be happy to receive more modest gifts this year, and perhaps some of you would too, and instead focus more on doing things together (cooking, eating, museums/parks, maybe spa time?)." All in favor, say aye! Good ideas! My family quit exchanging gifts by the time I graduated from high school. It was as much my idea as anyone's. I think we could all see the holidays had become too commercialized and less about family or helping those less fortunate, inconspicuously and humbly. Now that half the family has passed on, it's gift enough just to get together a short while. Nonetheless, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, As-Salam-u-Alaikum, and have a good new year.
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Post by starwalker on Dec 8, 2023 20:28:43 GMT -8
We have had our decorations up since before Thanksgiving (I was trying to beat the colder weather and it worked). The inside decorations go up a little at a time every day. We had our 6 year old great grandaughter come down the hollow and help us decorate this year. That is what Christmas is, family. We also drove to Albuquerque (10 hour trip) to meet our Utah family (8 hour trip) for an early Christmas celebration.
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Post by bluefish on Dec 9, 2023 4:40:02 GMT -8
I'm spending Christmas and NY's in an ICU unit in quarantine, during and following a stem cell transplant. We celebrated early with friends and family, the only gifts going to a gifted 2 year old to whom I gave some musical toys and his first fishing rod. I can tell he's going to be very proficient in those disciplines. I did buy my wife a new Patagonia parka made from recycled fishing nets and re-purposed down to replace her 35 year old Columbia jacket that's getting pretty ratty and patched. I got a pair of heated cycling gloves, as I don't stop pedaling no matter what and neuropathy has made my hands susceptible to the cold. Yesterday, I pedaled 15 miles up a FS road in Vermont until my pedals couldn't clear the snow anymore. I had a bear come out of the woods 100' from me. THAT was my gift from the heavens for the year, nothing will surpass it, except the love and support my amazing friends and family have given me. May all the good folks here rejoice in the people that they hold dear, that's what matters most in these times. Happy Holidays from a grateful soul.
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kayman
Trail Wise!
Loving Retired Life
Posts: 200
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Post by kayman on Dec 9, 2023 11:15:32 GMT -8
Some secret Santa gave me Covid for the holidays and now I’ve given it to my wife. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
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Post by absarokanaut on Dec 9, 2023 13:29:43 GMT -8
I went to The Hub in October, worked XGiving and haven't decided whether or not I'll work Xmas day. Bluefish, Per usual I've got nothing but first world problems so I truly hope your quarantine goes as well as it possibly can. Kayman, I had Covid twice but hardly noticed it thanks to the vaccines. Got my first Shingles shot and getting RSV soon. May you all be better in the coming days. As the youngest in my big family I didn't get gifts as long as my siblings and cousins after gift giving was given up when I was in 6th or 7th grade but my Aunt and Uncle were far more than Santa Clause to me, only ending when my Aunt passed at 99 a couple of years ago. I am a huge fan of goodwill and seasonal Cheer but gave up the Christian Mythology when the presents stopped coming. May all our friends here have the happiest of holidays and best trips around the sun they've ever had. Keep your sticks on the ice good people, John
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jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
Posts: 3,060
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Post by jazzmom on Dec 19, 2023 11:58:06 GMT -8
This seems appropriate this week...
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