I am with two kids at a park and was just thinking maybe I didn't want to miss writing at least once in December, although I don't have anything deep to share at the moment.
I am knee deep in various projects which may or may not impact the peaceful routine of this school year, and those are taking all my devoted and intense interest right now - things along the lines of reorganizing physical space at home and moreso, things along the lines of music-making.
...A week and a half ago I finished reading Tolstoy's Anna Karenina for the first time - 34 hours of walking and listening. Just before that I listened to Jane Eyre for the second time, which was 21 hours. I thought I might listen to the Einstein biography again after the Tolstoy (also around 21 hours), but thirty minutes in, I had to turn it off. Anna Karenina was such a journey, I am just not ready to travel anywhere new for a while. I am therefore lost on my literature trek just now and have been happily walking in silence, other than muttering to myself and talking to animals and plants I pass on my journey.
I was surprised to not feel sentimental about the holidays this year, and am happy to just do one day and then another without great feelings of moment or portent attached. No sadness or eagerness about the turn of season or the solstice either. I missed out on Christmas Eve, but considered that there will be another next year, and experienced only the smallest tinge of disappointment. I am glad for the time to breathe a little but also not horrified to return to our routine soon.
I have been listening with deep interest to lots of incredible recordings - mostly chamber music but also some orchestral.
