Under the Tree

It's chaotic leading up, and it's chaotic during, and at some point during all the Christmania Plotnik turns to Ducknik and says: "That's it. No mas. Next year we're doing something else. Mexico. South Carolina. Paris."

It's especially true about presents. Plottie complains and complains about how shopping is too crowded and everything is too expensive and there is too much phony cheer and Santa and the reindeer are all driving Priuses and there is not nearly enough It Must Have Been The Mistletoe, and he means it when he says it, but then Christmas morning arrives. Plotnik looks at all the work people put into getting just the right present for just the right person. It feels good to give and it feels good to get. People cry. People laugh. Plotnik really loves his (re)New Orleans t-shirt.



FiveHead and PD brought back wonderful Mayan scarves from a tiny village in Yucatan called Oxkutzcab. WRONG! FiveHead and PD went to a tiny village in Yucatan called Oxkutzcab LOOKING for Mayan scarves, but didn't find any. 5H purchased these in Singapore on her airline shoot.



Grandma Joy brought necklaces and artwork from Namibia and South Africa.



Ducknik and Plotnik had bought jewelry back too, from Oaxaca.



The South Carolotniks sent many wonderful presents, including these framed needlework pieces, done by Ducknik's grandmother many years ago, and given to BZWZ and Isabella. The work and the big-heartedness of that present brought everyone in the room to tears, especially The Duck.



There is, of course, much more, but the spirit is what counts. It is wonderful to be around people who care about one another, who love being together, who enjoy the way it feels to go out of their way to pitch in. These holidays are exhausting and expensive and time consuming, but in the end you get a lot of wonderful memories, and some go into frames.



And, just in case The Great FiveHead ever wants to run for office, here is the most domestic picture that was, is, or ever will be taken of her. She is some Honey Bunny.