Christmas Traditions

Something old, something not-so-new...

We went to a wedding on Sunday; the last cousin of my generation has finally found the perfect woman and gotten hitched. Of the seven of us, only one was married in a church, two are divorced, one re-married. The rest of us put off marriage until at least our late 20's and that may have been part of making it stick. Chris just turned 44, his bride is 41. The ceremony was ancient (a Diné ceremony on Winter Solstice, with a Circle of Elders), the reception was modern (catered with electricity), the happy couple wrote their own vows and there was nary a dry eye in the building. Long may they love.

Here at the ranchero, we finally got our tree decorated on the 22nd. The tree was purchased nearly a week ago (by tradition, always on the 16th) but work, chores, snow storms, shopping, the wedding, and general procrastination conspired to put it off. It's a HUGE tree, we had to put coffee table away until the tree comes down. In case anyone wonders how we live with intact males and have a tree indoors, it's simple: x-pen.

This is Anthony's last Christmas living here, I can hardly believe he'll be off to university somewhere next fall. We made a point of putting all Anthony's childhood ornaments on the tree. Holiday cards are slowly covering the hand-made door to the deck (we haven't mailed ours out yet - eek). Some years the glass is completely covered, and while the tape is a pain to clean off it's nice to have them all in one place, easy to read.

The hanging of the stockings is always a tear-jerking affair. Every being that lives here gets a stocking, but once somebody dies that stocking is retired. I know it's going to happen, picking up Thomas's stocking and bawling, but I do it every year. Tommy was 17 when he died, and it nearly killed me when he went. Rick (hubby extraordinaire) and I both know this is Mac's last Christmas; he's had a really rough couple of months and every day he wags his tail and trots outside makes me treasure him all over again. The snakes' stockings are taped to their tank, as they are very small (and the snakes don't appreciate gifts the way the mammals do).

The other thing that's become a tradition, though it actually goes on all winter, is Boomer's favorite napping spot. Boomer (Desert Island Boomerang, CGC) was a dog I rescued from the pound and we fostered, but his adoptive home didn't work out and he was returned. He has a number of chronic health issues (lumbar sacral disease, bilataral subluxating patellas, moderate heart murmur), as well as a recent diagnosis of cancer, and is an extremely difficult dog to live with (our first and last scenthound, hand to doG), but we love him anyway. This may be his last Christmas too, though it wouldn't surprise me if he lives another 10 years. Boomer's favorite hobbies are proving once again that there's no such thing as a beagle-proof fence, stealing food, and finding posh places to sleep. During winter the underside of our wood stove is, appearantly, an ideal place to nap. It seems incredibly dangerous, but he's been doing it for years and we've given up trying to discourage him. Beagles are described as "hedonists of the dog world" and it's true.

Since moving back to New Mexico, a couple of other traditions have taken hold. New: Christmas Eve dinner somewhere. In recent years we've eaten out, this year my sister is hosting. Should be a nice afternoon. Old: Canyon Road Walk. Some years we freeze our asses off, some years it's just cold. The last couple of years I've taken a borzoi on the walk; they love the weather and draw lots of compliments. And yes, a Santa hat is required garb for the 'zoi. The smell of pinon fires and hot cider, everybody bundled up, crazy holiday hats with flashing lights, the occasional burst of Christamas carols, art galleries with doors flung open late into the night... it's not to be missed.

This year we will again have a house-full of family, food, and fun for Christmas day. Eggnog lattes have been improve with the discovery of peppermint coffee espresso (thank you, Sandra!!). Gifts are exchanged but generally low-key, but the annual tradition of mis-packaging items will continue. One year I got a plain brown box and was told to keep it in the freezer for two weeks... it was a skirt. Every family is a little crazy, right? Our neighbors will stop by to exchange home-made goodies, near-violent games of 42 will be played, naps will be taken.

And of course, New Year's weekend I'll take a dog or two down south to look for Mr. Jack. My newest tradition, and it's a dandy.

I'm hoping that sometime in the next couple of weeks I can get up to the Taos Inn, where one of my uncles has an art exhibit of photos from his travels around the world on exhibition. My aunt decks the Inn out with spectacular holiday decorations - another family tradition.

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and spectacular new year, whatever your traditions, old and new.