Raving

When an actor is not actively involved in a production, she or he is often said to be “resting.” The word choice is apt because creative work is, by nature, a demanding mistress, and this kind of recovery time is important.

Since we got back from Vegas, that’s what I’ve been doing. I’m resting, and I  refuse feel guilty about it. It’s Christmas and I’m determined to eke out every ounce of good will I can. More importantly, I’m going to try to share that good will with others.

In addition to resting, here’s what I’ve been doing.

• Working my normal thirty-five hours a week, but having it spill over into the weekends due to special holiday events.
• Nagging my Grinch of a husband to get his family’s presents organized so they can be sent to England. (In his defense, he has been traveling a lot for his job and sometimes working eighty hours a week).
• Standing in line at the Post Office and filling out every blasted form that exists to get said package to England in time for the holidays. (But I really don’t mind. By now, his family is mine too and I love them).
• Nagging my daughter — do you sense a pattern here? — about whether or not she wants to use the idea I suggested for gifts for her friends and buying the tools and supplies when she finally managed to decide. (In her defense, she has a demanding school schedule and works as well).
• Making cookies and fudge.
• Baking bread several times a week. Before you get the (entirely wrong) idea that I’m too much of a chef, go to your library and get Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. Try the basic recipe. I bet you’ll end up buying the book. If you love crusty bread — the kind you sometimes get hot from the oven in nice restaurants — you’re going to love this book. Okay, end of commercial.
• Watching the snow fall. And fall. And fall. All twenty or so inches of it. No, I’m not exaggerating. And it’s still coming.
• Writing “The Christmas Lineup,” a trivia quiz featuring some of the great lines from Christmas books, movies, and songs. Look for it in the NEORWA newsletter. (If you’re not a member and you really, really, want to do it, leave a comment and I’ll share it).
• Oh, and I decorated our house, but not in the “Better Homes and Garden” style.  My decorating is more on the lines of “I like it, so it’s going up.” Works for me.
• Listening to all my favorite Christmas songs.
• Starting a daily “Christmas note” on my Facebook page, sharing some of the things I love about the season.
• Wishing you and everyone you know a wonderful Christmas. If you don’t celebrate the holiday, then I wish you the same joy for a peaceful and lovely winter.