North Polar Opposites

Sleigh Ride, with Santa and reindeer Rockettes.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular today, 5 P.M:

1. Santa, so roly-poly, happy and philosophical when he crosses candy-cane paths with busy Mom, Tracy, and her daughter, Kayla, during a visit to his department store throne. The message: Mom thinks getting Kayla the hot toy of the year will make her happy but Santa knows that what really matters is that they spend fun time together. He flies them to the North Pole to prove it.
2. Rockettes' beautiful, glittery, gorgeous costumes.
3. Foot-tapping, hand-clapping holiday music.
4. Cheer, peace, hope.

My life last night/today:

1. I also lean toward the roly-poly but am not currently happy and philosophical. I try, God knows I try. I am a mom who knows how important it is to spend fun time with my daughter. I always have. But this weekend, things have been rough. My smile was strained and tight. Even the amazing "Here Comes Santa Claus" act, with dozens of dancing, multiplying Santas, did not warm my heart as much as it usually does.
2. My purple corduroy pants. Enough said.
3. Playing Bill Withers' song "Lean on Me" a few times in a row, for moral support.
4. Well, being the eternal optimist, I still feel ribbons of cheer, peace, hope.

Good night.

TCOY

1. Put away tons of clean wash and threw out a lot of garbage. Felt good.
2. At Starbucks, got tall ice water when Figgy got a skinny mocha. Stopped and realized I was thirsty, not in need of the caffeine and calories in my typical Starbucks choices.
3. I later had an Irish coffee! In a glass mug, with that inviting, old-fashioned froth on top. Sis took me and Fig to lunch before the show @ an Irish pub on 47th Street. I am normally a light drinker at best. But today I got the Irish coffee, just one, to drown my sorrows, and to clink against Sis's flute of champagne. I think the warmth and the whiskey did help mellow the spirit. Forgive me if you don't drink; I don't mean to glorify the power of alcohol.