Living in

Today, the first picture was hung. It only took four months, but it is done. Well, halfway done. The dartboard, two Japanese mountainscapes and the streets of Paris now adorn these walls. I suppose it's my version of decking the halls. Or maybe I just couldn't bring myself to haul out the Christmas tree when our apartment was a mess and the dining/sitting/writing room closet won't close due to a stack of framed paintings and pictures barring the way.

Perhaps this week we'll finish the hanging and bedeck our duplex with boughs of plastic. Hey, the wreath is up in the front hall. That must count for something, even though no one can see it unless they are walking up the front stairs. We'd put it on the front door of the duplex, but we're not sure if our downstairs neighbors celebrate the holidays. As it is, if it were Chris's choice, these halls would remain undecked indefinitely. But I love my godless man anyway.

I'm a strange mixture, it's true. Born Catholic and presently some sort of "deist." I could say I'm Taoist, but I'm not sure I agree with all of those tenets, nor those of any religion. But can I say I don't believe in God? Not really. It just wouldn't be true, not if I really admitted my heart's feelings. Do I believe in some old man figure directing the cosmos? No. Do I feel there is something good and holy to strive for, a connection between all living beings that we should hold dear--something akin to loving all of creation? Yes.

So why not celebrate a holiday that brings families together and contains a lifetime of cherished memories for me? Do I need to be Christian to put up a tree and decorate it with my life's souvenirs? Do I need to be Christian to practice a tradition of my heritage? I don't think so. So Merry shopping, folks. This year, I shop little and love lots.