My friends Kathey and Russell are on their way to Antarctic right now. It’s their 7th continent, which means they’ll have been to all of them after this. Quite an accomplishment, even if it did take them 36 years. (technically, I think it’s taken them their whole lives, since North America was first and that is where they were born, haha!) They are posting photos and diary logs on Facebook and it is very fun to keep up with their adventures from the warmth of my home and comfort of my sofa.
I’m fascinated by travel stories and accounts of visiting the Arctic and Antarctica both, though I would never actually want to go to either place for real. I’m ok with reading about it and seeing beautiful photos of the beautiful landscapes, vistas, and wildlife. I don’t think I’d do so well in the cold. I’ve read Alfred Lansing’s book Endurance, about Shackleton’s incredible voyage to Antarctica, as well as Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s account of Scott’s ill-fated expedition to the South Pole titled The Worst Journey in the World, several times. I tend to like books set in the Polar north, whether they are fact or fiction, and one of my favorite fairy tales is The Snow Queen. I’ve read multiple retellings of it and it never gets old. It’s similar to my liking to read about books set in India, but having zero desire to actually go there. Too hot vs. too cold, but same principle applies.
But I think visiting all 7 continents is a major milestone and a worthy bucket list achievement.
I’m in the middle of writing Christmas cards, but need to get the annual family letter written and printed before I can finish them, since it goes in half the cards I send. I have ONE present left to get, so now just wrapping to do, basically. Everything else has either been purchased, or is ordered and on its way here. Woot! Go me! I think it’s really the earliest I’ve had EVERYTHING done. It’s only December 4! But I wanted to get most of this out of the way before mom and Danely arrive. Still have to bake Xmas cookies and get the tree and get it decorated, but that will have to be this coming weekend.
I’ve organized the Secret Santa activity at work again, for the third year in a row. This year 13 people are participating. And today we decorated our open landscape so it feels very Christmassy and sets a definite holiday tone!
I miss watching Christmas movies, though. We had several on VHS back in the day, but I don’t think we have any on DVD, and apart from Klaus, there’s not a lot of newer stuff I’m interested in. I’m not sure which of the old stop-motion classics we can find streaming. Is the original Grinch available? I’ll have to look! It’s been years since I saw any of them.
Anyway, back at it!
Mood: festive
Music: Fastball—Out of My Head