(…all the way)
It’s our turn.
Due to some administrative error (one can only assume) lovely wife and I are both off on Christmas Day. Since we have been guests – or working- for about the last forty festive seasons, we are very overdue to host for Christmas dinner.
Dressing the house is therefore being done with more than usual attention and extra sweeping.
The chain of angels (wings and trumpets), reindeer (antlers), and snowflakes must be completely untangled (the words “Gordian knot” arise unbidden). All battery served lights renewed, old candles replaced, festive ornaments polished and arranged tastefully.
The room of games must be cleared of all offending dice and cardboard !! (Mercy! – Can I leave it out if it’s a Christmas game? well, Christmassy?* )
There is the counting of the plates, and forks, and matching glasses (I’m perfectly happy with my chipped tin mug, I don’t see the problem), and the big decision to make about the location of the table (for 12).
Of course, I play the outraged and put-upon card – best grumpy old man -“Bah Humbug!”, all the while being secretly delighted.
After all, there is wine to buy, and Port and Sherry cannot be offered “untested”, what if they weren’t good enough! Come to mention it, we could use some brandy, maybe a selection of brandies…
It’s a festive Dog’s life.
Next week on IaDL “only three more night shifts to Christmas”
*Battle of the Bulge Dec 16th 1944 to Jan 45 – they famously had Christmas dinner** in Bastogne under siege; how much more Christmassy do you want?
**(the General had Christmas dinner, the PBI had Christmas shelling)
Dalmallyfest the Asylum 