If it's not one thing . . . .

 

          It was about to come true: one of my greatest fears.

          A succession of sneezes and unusually tired eyes. Was I getting a cold?

          Never mind that Christmas is next week. My big concern was the dentist.

          Earlier in the month I’d gone in for a check-up and was told that I had a massive cavity that would need to be addressed.

“But I don’t feel a thing there,” I said.

“That’s because you’ve had a root canal there and the nerves are gone.”

My fear come true. Sitting in the dentist chair with a cold, unable to breathe.

So, I dug around and found my supply of zinc lozenges and knock-on-wood, they seem to be working. The cold is probably still lurking, waiting to spring, but if I can just make it through Monday’s appointment, I’ll be thrilled.

 Or as thrilled as you can be, going to the dentist and about to have an expensive crown removed, drilled on, and then have another expensive crown put back in its place. And that’s the best-case scenario, since the dentist had muttered darkly about the possibility of extraction.

 

So, in the interest of not thinking about grocery lists, presents, or teeth, I went off to play pickleball Friday afternoon.

The people where I play are a nice crowd, unlike other places where they play as though there are scouts in the audience or this is the trials for the Olympics. We’re a laid-back group. Not beginners, but with enough skills to challenge each other.

I play to the front, my days of running back and forth are gone. Or at least I’m not willing to risk a turned ankle or a fall. There I was - receiving from the other side - I raised my paddle to return with a brilliant shot my opponent would never get to, and . . . .Instead I belted the ball, not to the other court but right into my nose.

Would I now have not only a sore jaw from the dentist, but a black eye for Christmas?

But we found the gym’s first aid kit and I was ordered to the side lines with instructions to Sit still! and Keep that ice pack on your face!

It must have worked because no black eye today, and when I played the next game, we won.

Potatoes and Pajamas

 

(For anyone interested, as requested by Steve at Shadows and Light, here’s a link to the recipe for that chocolate cake I mentioned previously. Wacky Cake)

 

          Here we go – less than a week and the mad shuffle begins. A friend of mine decided that everyone, everyone is getting gift cards and that was it. Another friend will be ordering take-out (albeit fancy take-out) for their Christmas meal. Truly role models for better living.

Vinegar Sweetness

 

Knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Because I generally enjoy cooking, if I want something, I often just make it myself.

The non-writing life

Snow today. This is nothing new, since we had a fair amount last week, but this 1 inch scattering has convinced me that no, I can stay home from yoga.

Author Stroll

 

All packed and ready to go –

One of the turkey gang was there to see me off.

Luckily I got to the event super-early and snagged one of the good tables.

 

It was my first time at an event this big. Twenty-five authors, music, D.J., and as I later learned to my delight, wine upstairs. For a cold, late afternoon on a Thursday, we had pretty good attendance. I guess it was a nice change from the many craft fairs at this time of year.

Although I didn’t check out as many of the other tables as I’d have liked to, there was quite a variety, from bodice rippers to graphic novels. 

The very nice woman on my left was offering her first book, which seemed to be some kind of inspirational tale. I don’t know if she sold anything, but I’d be a little surprised if she did, with the hardcover at $32.99 and even her paperback at $22.99.

On my right was a sweet older couple with a sadly wrinkled tablecloth, selling the husband’s collection of poems at $20 each.

Across the way were two gentlemen, one whose books seemed to indicate a past in journalism, with collections of interviews, and others that chronicled to life of an illustrator. The other fellow's seemed to be thrillers. The shark head was a refreshing counterbalance to all that seasonal wholesomeness.

After comparing my table to others, I noted for the future to have more height to my display, maybe some easels to prop up the books. I was very happy, though, with my pretty new banner.

Something must have worked, because I sold thirteen books!

Twins

 

I just realized yesterday that my life has been full of doppelgangers.

Just to name the first three that popped into my head:

Years ago, there was a repairman that I liked so much, I only bought Whirlpool appliances – the brand he specialized in. (Counterintuitive I know. I mean, buying something on the premise that it will need repair at some point?) No hanky-panky, by the way. He was just really nice to my cats. 

This gentleman was a dead ringer for a member of the singing group, The Statler Brothers.

 

The carpenter my husband became friends with at his coffee gatherings in the center of town worked on both our last house, and then had a hand in some of the changes we made when we moved to here to the condo. A former motorcycle cop, his resemblance to actor Joe Pesci was remarkable.

 

And then yesterday while out running errands, a Neil Sedaka tune came on the car radio, bringing me back Sedaka’s glory days of the ‘60s.

 It's been bugging me forever, but now I finally know who my hairdresser looks like.

Put another log on

 

It’s already been a chillier than usual beginning to winter. I’ve woken up to 4 degrees outside several times already, and to confirm this My Guy noticed that our heating bill is up from this time last year. We’re in January weather right now.

Getting the once-over

 

( <   Today's tropical beginning.)

Yesterday was the annual skin check. At first glance, with my bumps, age spots, red spots, deeply brown spots, and freckles, I look like a dermatologist’s final exam. In reality, all was well. All the thrills of having the UK in my heritage.

Today meets yesterday

          Our New Jersey Thanksgiving began with the traditional family gathering for the meal, but on the second day we truly visited the past by checking out grandson #1’s new digs.

Bye Bye Bean

 

   

     So you can just forget about those dewy-eyed golden retriever puppies splayed all over your L.L. Bean catalogues. Or maybe continue to order, but beware of any credit card offers linked to them.