Garbage Man Keith

He loves history and politics each,
Yet keeps most of his thoughts underneath,
But he might throw a fit,
If you tease him a bit,
‘Bout his plans to be “Garbage Man Keith”

I know “each” doesn’t technically rhyme with “‘neath” and “Keith,” but you’ve got to give me a little grace now and then. This one was a bit of a limerick on demand due to a very silly conversation over Trash Train/Dominoes last night. Good fun…unstoppable, tear inducing laughter and giggles from people who were too tired to filter either their humor or their reaction to unfiltered humor. Poor Keith will never be allowed to live down his desire to be a garbage man as a little boy. For the record, he did not throw a fit. He simply defended his childhood passion by stating that it looked like a lot of fun to ride on the back of one of those trucks. I’ll bet it is.

We are having a Kelso family Thanksgiving here. This is the day after and I am here at the house alone with Aron. He showed signs of sickness last night and even had a low grade fever for a few hours. He seems a little better this morning but the plans for the day included a long drive south of town, lots and lots of people with children, no nap and a long drive home. I felt it would be unwise to expose him to other children (or other children to him) as well as the stress all of those plans could bring to a weakened immune system. He needed to be home today and he will be eating and napping very soon.

Yesterday we served the classic Thanksgiving fair and all went pretty well. Kris’ family is here, minus one brother and family. My dad is also in town so he joined us for lunch and was on his way once the football game was mostly over. It was a lot of fun. They’ll be home this afternoon for more games, movies, food, whatever. Then tomorrow they will all head back to Florida for decompression. I certainly hope they have enjoyed their stay. I know I’ve enjoyed having them. Though we do miss Kevin and Jessica (and Thrasher too, though we haven’t met him) being here with us. The boys keep talking about uncle Kevin as if at some point he might just show up too. I’m so glad they love their uncles.

The weeks will be getting busier and busier from here on out. I’m facing it like I would a stiff wind I think. Protecting my eyes a bit, but facing it full on. I am learning not to hide from inevitable gusts of pandemonium. Hiding may protect your hair, but it doesn’t give you a good opportunity to take in the colors and smells and laughter of the holidays. I don’t have any big plans or expectations for Christmas this year. I know what’s on the calendar and I know for the most part what I need to do in order to prepare for parties and meetings and trips. I guess I’m trying not to direct all of those things to make me comfortable, but rather to take it one day at a time and live it as it blows my way. I don’t know how I will decorate, when we’ll get a tree or if we’ll be able to get much in the way of gifts. I don’t have a poetic focus for my worship, a verse that is especially poignant for my cards, I don’t know specifically how I will end what has been a pretty wonderful year. All I know is that this time around, I plan to hit January with chapped cheeks, a big smile and very messy hair.