J.P.

The Internet is really gummed up with a lot of crap. Seek out those that inspire you.

I haven’t watched “Shark Tank” in a few years, but I have always admired the tenacity and down to earth nature of Barbara Corcoran. I watched this interview this evening; in her mid 70s she’s still keeping it quite real.

I enjoy her for that.

It has been a low key, enjoyable Christmas. Earl has a new iPad Mini for his online enjoyment.

The house was feeling festive.

The unseasonably warmer weather has continued in Southern Arizona, so we were able to enjoy Christmas dinner outside.

I am filled with gratitude for the life I have. Today was a good day to just “be”.

I snapped from photos last night before going to bed. I slept well, and now it is Christmas morning. The house is still quiet, aside from a certain ginger cat expressing his displeasure of me not being awake for the sunrise.

I ended up being awake for the sunrise.

In a little while some family activity will begin and our Christmas will be in full swing.

I am looking forward to a lovely day.

Earl has been busy in the kitchen working on Christmas Eve snacks. We keep it informal at the Desert Compound. I have to keep reminding myself it’s Christmas Eve; the sun is shining brightly with the promise of a beautiful sunset and the temperatures are still well within the 70s on the Fahrenheit scale.

I talked to family back east a little while ago. I’ll be giving them a call again tomorrow.

I’m enjoying sitting on the gazebo writing this blog entry, with a small glass of white wine to sip while composing the bits and bytes. I’m feeling particularly reflective and pensive today. Today was a normal workday for me, but since the team is awesome, I gave them all a head start on their Christmas celebration.

This holiday season has felt like one of the more lower key holidays of my adult life. I’m feeling merry, just not as loudly so.

I just took this photo while running out to the mailbox. I love the color of these flowers. Unlike much of our landscaping, our landscapers have not put a label as to the type of flower seen here, but I believe it’s bougainvillea.

Even though we’ve lived in the desert for nearly four years, it’s hard for me to believe that I am sitting outside in the gazebo, watching a beautiful sunset, and Christmas descends upon us in less than two days.

For this (former) northerner, it doesn’t feel like Christmas, despite the mall speakers screaming about “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow”. The family has done a fantastic job of decorating the house for the holidays, so that’s a wonderful thing.

I’m ready to wind down 2024. I feel prepared for 2025, whatever that may bring.

In the meanwhile, I’ll just keep enjoying the beauty around me.