5 – The time of year
Here on the front range and certainly up in the mountains it is a time of change. The weather leads the way as we get warm and sunny followed by snow then cool and gray, you get the sense, it’s ever changing. This is when I work to get my old body ready for the cold of real winter which is odd here in that it can be 20 and sunny and you’ll end up peeling layers off. Up in the mountains the cold air is flowing a great time for an extended hike with the horizon littered with beautiful snow capped 14K mountains. The snow and rain bring a Pacific Northwest feel and smell to the woods that is invigorating and refreshing. Once back at the cabin we have the post hike hot tub to work out the kinks before taking a nap in front of the fireplace. It’s not big or grand, but it works.
4 – Day after turkey sandwiches
Not sure what it is but home cooked turkey makes the best sandwiches. And you can fix them hot or cold. With or without cranberry and all the other wild things I’ve seen. Second to the sandwich experience is warming up a second lunch/dinner with all the leftovers. In our house we have to fight to make sure we keep some turkey and fixings for ourselves. The kids and friends love to help clean up, aka make themselves to-go packs. With the headcount up to 24, Elle and I have our work cut out for us.
3 – Supporting Veterans and local charities
We support veterans as we can through the American Legion by donating turkeys and hams and providing bags of basic necessities. Around Christmas we gather up bike donations and more food for families in need. Elle donates to Food Bank of the Rockies. We do a food drive in our condo building and the greater community. Now that we are essentially retired, we plan to donate our time too.
2 – Pumpkin pie
What can I say… I’d eat it year-round. I like medium density with deep pumpkin and spice flavor. Elle is making two. I asked for a third one just for myself, DENIED! Sweet potato pie is a close favorite from my time stationed in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. It was easy to find once you got outside of the greater Tampa area. The one exception, Jimbo’s BBQ on West Kennedy Blvd. An excellent place I write about in ST-1 and ST-2.
1 – Family and friends
When I was younger, I liked family get-togethers over the holidays, more so at my aunts and uncle’s houses. My dad and I had a contentious relationship so eat and scoot was my MO. One aunt lived near the beach and one near the Eel River and local redwood mill. After the meal I’d listen to my uncle’s hunting stories then switch to my grandma Anderson and ask about her time with the Blackfeet in North Dakota. When the stories wound down, I would wander off to the beach or go fishing. During my twenties I spent several years during Thanksgiving skydiving in Florida, with a quick call on Thanksgiving and Christmas for proof of life.
It wasn’t until my mid-thirties that I started to appreciate getting together as valuable and irreplaceable time. My great grandmother who’d come across the southern states territories in a horse drawn wagon passed at 100. Then a decade later my grandmother died at 96. There was a period in my late forties where it seemed someone I cared for was passing every month. I look back now and see how loss drove me to value what I’d once taken for granted and even shunned.
Today I value spending time with family and friends with all their idiosyncrasies and mine in the great mixing bowl called life. It’s time for parties, food, drink and talking over each other. Our youngest grandson wants to help Nana with cooking and serving this year so the tradition of the kids helping continues, as does life.
Have a safe and happy holidays.
Steve