Good Morning!

I started this post this morning, so now I have to say “good afternoon”!

I walked 2 miles with a neighbor this beautiful sunny morning while we talked and talked, which made the miles go by super fast. This is my 4th day of regular walking, but the first 2-miler.

People here love to celebrate Christmas. Already now, with December 1st still to come tomorrow, houses in my neighborhood are lit with lights, and inside one can see that inside decorated Christmas trees are up and all lit up. Many houses also have candles in the windows.

I took this picture of a live tree outside Whole Foods recently. The trees and greenery for sale around the store smell so good. It’s a smell I will always miss from my time in Maine and walking in woods redolent of evergreen trees.

This tree was $79. Ummm. No. I left all the Christmas decorations–save for one box of special ornaments–in Maine. I had no idea where I would be living here when I packed. So I jettisoned the stored Christmas to the local community.

So far, I haven’t bought anything new–decorating here takes ladders and lights and stringing cords and, for me, a fake tree, which I will not do. And the live ones don’t last long here in our warmer weather. I’ll just enjoy the neighbors’ efforts. And I do.

And now there is an easy fish chowder base getting hotter in the oven. Soon the fish part will go into it. And then I’ll eat (outside on the porch today!) and move toward sewing. The other house chores are all done.