Back in Bermy

Hola Readers,

Have returned home to wonderful Bermy, which is almost just as I left it. It was pretty difficult coming back to a house empty of the Fluffernutter. It was rougher than I had supposed it would be. She's in the backyard in her favorite spot, and soon I'll plant a rose bush there for her, but it still won't be the same. In some ways this is the end of my childhood. The cookster became part of our family when I was seven, and every important memory of mine has her in it.

Vincent has a poem called, "Childhood is the Kingdom Where Nobody Dies", and I think that that does sum things up nicely. Before you encounter death, and have to say goodbye to someone you love, you feel much more secure with the world. Once you've passed that threshold, you know that nothing you love is really completely safe, and you have to face that every day.

Still, it is nice to be back home in my own room, shuffling in all the books that I bought while we were away. I'm a total book fiend, so when I go away and plan a shopping spree, I'm always heading for a Borders or a Barnes and Noble first and foremost. This time I went on a spree of books that I've been recommending from the young adult section at Bookworm Central. Of course there's not quite enough time to read all the books in the store, but it's fun to attempt with the ones that look really good :)

Went into town today to help Santa along with some presents that he missed on the first run around with Madam, who should, I predict, be having a lovely Christmas over the next several weeks. We've worked out that the best system is to dole the presents out over a while, so that they can really be enjoyed, especially since this year the big present will be a show stealer. A bunch of the presents, from me anyway, are books, so those are best appreciated when not competing with things that take two AA batteries.

Tomorrow is our Bermy Family Christmas, which is going to be low-key, and an all-pizza meal which we have never before attempted. There will be brownies, cookies, and lots of chocolate, and the star of the show, the Yankee Swap, which is a family favorite. I spent the evening tonight wrapping all of the presents, in my general inestimable style, which has been described as closely resembling being mauled by wolves.

Anyway, readers, I shall bid you adieu for the night, and I hope that all of you are doing well in the New Year so far.