Year Four, Day 228: The Mad Max Thunderdome Jungle Gym Thingie

The "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is coming to a close. Today, our church choir sang a Christmas Cantata.  The accompaniment was canned (recorded), so instead of playing the piano, I sang with the choir! As I get older, my voice gets lower. So I sang tenor. And I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

It was a warming experience to be a part of the choir, blending with other voices instead of just accompanying. I finally get it. Singing in a choir gives one a sense of community, of belonging.

I wonder if my "lone wolf" personality is partially attributed to my career as a pianist. Or perhaps that is why I gravitated towards this career.

Nonetheless, today was fun!

Christmas Eve I will be playing two services. The culmination of the season will be Christmas morning. 

After that I will be just a normal person again. If that is possible!

I plan on spending Christmas day with my family.  First of which will be my 3 week old grandson!

I will be speaking by phone to my son. He told me they are preparing a feast for the inmates: Turkey and all the trimmings.  This morning, when we spoke, I feared a catch of emotion in his voice. My son has always loved the holidays.  He will be missing his uncle's famous prime rib this year. And next year. 

But he sounded strong and positive. He has received one of the books I sent him: 

Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Basketball by Howard Bryant.  He told me some interesting facts that I had not been aware of.  I told him to tell me a new fact every time we spoke. 

I sent him two more books. He still has 2 to 3 weeks at Coffee Creek. I miss him terribly, but he is doing his time in a strong, positive manner. And he is reading books!  A miracle! I spent half of his childhood trying to interest him in reading.  

Aside from  many church services, I have much food to prepare. I have a new obsession: Samosas!

I made two batches of potato/green pea samosas yesterday. One with rice paper and one with an almond flour crust.  Plus the amazing cilantro/lime/mint chutney that disappears within minutes in our household.

I tested both samosas on my son-in-law. He is gluten intolerant. He preferred the texture of the rice paper. Alas, I don't think it will keep well. I plan on bringing a big batch of assorted samosas to our family dinner. So I purchased ready made pie crust for the non gluten intolerant and gluten free pie crust for soninlaw.  I plan on making several dozen samosas this afternoon.  And a big batch of cilantro/lime/mint chutney. We'll see if it lasts until Christmas!

Yesterday, after choir practice, I am pleased to announce that I went to the gym for a nice little workout and stretch in the Mad Max Thunderdome jungle gym thingie, or whatever it's called.

I love this thing!

Mad Max Thunderdome jungle gym thingie

AND.....DRUM ROLL....

I hooped this morning!

I feel so much better when I am moving.  

I must remember. And never stop!

Speaking of which, I need to get moving. I have much samosas to make!


Talk to you tomorrow.

Love,

Zita