It's a rather sad occasion, this taking down of the Christmas tree. More and more the tree seems obtrusive in my house but every year I yearn to put one up and then feel the sadness when I have to take it down. Amidst one last blaring of Christmas music, I take the decorative bears and birds off the tree and place them carefully back in their resting place. I sort the boxes out finding new ways to stack the little boxes inside the bigger storage boxes. I have three boxes. One just for the lights, one for the ornaments, and one for the odds and ends-stockings, window clings, garlands, miniature village, etc. You know how it is. What puzzles me is the fine mood I'm in. We have had nothing but gray skies and rain or snow, or a variation thereof, since Monday and I'm in normal, functioning spirits. I've been alternating between taking the tree down and attempting to rearrange and clean up what I call the painted room. So called because it's the only room in this house that doesn't have wallpaper on it. It's also known as the junk room. Will wonders never cease? Always by the first of January I am a morose morass who can't do much of anything but cling to my bed and watch movies until I'm forced by hunger pangs to get up and make meals. Have I come to an acceptance of things (that I'm a loner and will always be a loner)? Stopped lamenting my lot in life (that I have no friends and no life)? Have I learned how to have a life finally (as opposed to thinking that everyone else knows how to live life and I don't)? Thus, being able to take being a shut-in better? Boy, I sure hope so. Or maybe it's from having a pool to soak in all summer. I got an all-over tan from floating so much in that pool. Could the Vitamin D I soaked up be having a lingering effect? I've also been taking a Vitamin D pill since the pool went down. Or could it be because I'm sitting in front of my lightbox nearly every morning and most evenings as it gets dark? Well, that's what it's for but in years past I haven't used it in the evenings as much. Maybe that's making the difference. My mood is clearer and it feels wonderful. Or maybe it's the good vibes from this house. The family that occupied this house lived her for 50 years. They were the sole occupants. The mom and dad evidently loved each other very much. Our landlord has said this house was like a "Leave It To Beaver" house. Is this what I'm feeling? If so, let it continue! Whatever it is, I'm loving it. I'm feeling hopeful that maybe the rest of the winter won't be so hard on me like it usually is. I'll let you know come the end of February when I'm ready to burn the house down because I can't stand having the windows shut any longer. Bill will probably come home and find all the windows wide open, the furnace turned off, and me standing naked in the doorway trying to pretend it's summer. Hee hee. You never know what this old broad will do.