Moody Monday and the Mock Mince Meat Pie
Waking up the Monday after Thanksgiving, the first thing I see is a foggy grey scene out my window. There are no leaves left on the trees. I remember that December’s Museletter is still spread out on my kitchen table and the scraps of paper from cutting and pasting it are still all over the floor. I have a mock mince meat pie hangover. Joe’s birthday and Josh’s hometown pottery show are next on the calendar schedule, squeezed in between now and Christmas. I can practically hear the clock ticking.
Not only do I not shop on the day after Thanksgiving, I try to stay away from malls entirely this time of year. But I need a haircut. I want a fruitcake. Am I really too old to sit on Santa’s lap, I wonder? Do I have enough butter for Christmas Eve cookies? Is it too soon to put up a tree?
My mind wanders and I don’t want to get up, but the hours of light are too precious to squander, so I do. I resist the urge to fill the quiet with anything more than the whistle of the tea kettle. In between chores and breakfast, I pick burdock burrs off the dog’s coat. It’s never too gray to not take pictures, the pinwheel spinning in the wind, the bony legged trees looking naked without any cover. Mostly I write. I make spaghetti sauce and phone calls that I’ve put off for days.
There are things I want to look up, like where is Paul Shaffer from – host of last night’s PBS show on the history of the Rolling Stone – and if he's Canadian why does he sound like a Bostonian? I want to learn about the 2007 literature Nobel Prize winner, Doris Lessing, because I didn’t know who she was when her name came up during a Thanksgiving game of “celebrity.” I research the etymology of the fruit names for a poem I’m writing. I learn that Crayola has colors named razzmatazz, mango tango, and wild blue yonder. I talk to my sisters and others online, make notes of things that need to be done. I make lists but don’t cross anything off today.
Maybe I’ll go to the mall tomorrow. And maybe not.
Comments
Haircut and fruitcake making are on my nebulous lists too. Pinwheel spinning of the wind is so ery accurate and compellingly put.
Posted by: Pearl | November 27, 2007 9:11 AM
I love the image of "the bony legged trees looking naked without any cover." And you illustrated this line so well.
:^D
Posted by: Bonnie Jacobs | November 27, 2007 9:31 AM
Sounds warm and cozy inside with perfect cold weather activities! Well described, as usual. And by the way, I thought your comment at my post re: the after holiday breath was simply perfect.
Here's a good-bye hug (:)Thanks for being part of a great summer/fall! Will keep in touch virtually...
Posted by: June | November 27, 2007 11:11 AM
Explain please mock mince pie??I'm stumped??what great crayon names gone are the days of raw umber and flesh ??
Posted by: sandykessler | November 27, 2007 11:27 AM
It's Tuesday and I am still moody. I think a trip to town is in order. Great post as always! Here's to crossing things off our lists soon!
Posted by: susan | November 27, 2007 11:47 AM
You remind me of my youngest granddaughter, who, when asked a question will answer...."Maybe yes, Maybe no!"
Posted by: kenju | November 27, 2007 7:03 PM
Paul Shaeffer is from Canada, and miost people from Canada sound like they are from someplace in this country, depending on what part of Canada they are from...! Go Figure.
Doris Lessing....WONDERFUL Writer.
So much to do, so little time....I just want to go to bed!
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | November 27, 2007 8:10 PM
I have done all the children's gifts online so I don't have to fight other customers. I try to watch for the free shipping to balance things out! I love it, especially when they have cheap gift wrapping so I can skip that too.
And guess who else made spaghetti today! It just seemed like the perfect day for it and Martin said on the way home he was craving it so it worked out. He couldn't believe it when he opened the door and there I was actually finishing up the spaghetti!
Posted by: Deana | November 27, 2007 9:40 PM
A big hug right back at you, June!
I'm not sure what's in it exactly but it has raisins, currants, and other fruit. No meat! At least not in my friend Jayn's pies. I wait all year to eat her mince meat pies. I think she calls them "mock" because she doesn't follow the traditional recipe. Here's a link I found: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mince_pie
I do remember Crayola "flesh." Their webpage said they did away with it in the early 60's in part because of the civil rights movement.
Posted by: colleen | November 27, 2007 11:35 PM
I've eaten regular mince in past - not mock ? hmnn
Posted by: sandy kessler | November 28, 2007 9:04 AM
I'd never go near those malls either! I've heard people line up at 5:00 a.m. or even just after midnight to get into stores! Craziness!
Posted by: ruth | November 28, 2007 6:37 PM