'TIS THE SEASON! — The Weekly Opine

Lights and gifts are tenants of the holiday season. So is expressing thanks. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Uncommon style

Today features the final post of 2021. Starting tomorrow there will be two weeks of much anticipated chill time. Which brings to my mind an ad agency executive from when I worked in corporate.

This fellow, who completed Christmas shopping before going on holiday vacay, annually took off the last two weeks of December. He would literally hang around his house in his jammies, slippers, and robe, Hefner-style. His wife and kids would be in, and out and about, while he was home sipping coffee, tea, and wine, presumably in the morning, afternoon, and at night, respectively. By his account, he never changed out of his bedtime clothes during his entire two-week holiday break.

I was intrigued by this man’s approach. Although never able to rationalize this for myself (a single day, maybe, but not two weeks!), there is something bohemian and laissez-faire about waking up each morning and lounging around the house in your pj’s for two weeks. Unabated relaxing, just slightly interested in whatever is happening in the outside world. I never asked him but presume missing out on holiday gatherings was filed under the been there, done that category.

To start off I am thankful that, if desired, I could don pajamas and slippers tomorrow and saunter away the holiday, unconcerned about things like mistletoe and the weather. On the flipside, I am thankful that mode does not appeal to me.

Bethanny and the Torino (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

A time for thanks

Topping my list of thanks are my significant significant other, family, friends, living the retired life, ample access to food, living near the Great Lakes (which account for 20% of the world’s fresh water), residing in a comfortable home in a nice neighborhood, and my Torino which provides weekly moments of pleasurable escape, cruising around.

Also, thankful my parents instilled me with the common sense to believe the coronavirus is real. And having faith in, and a relative understanding of modern science, which led me to get vaccinated and boosted.

Thankful for healthcare workers who risk their own safety to help others who, by now, should’ve gotten vaccinated.

I am thankful for sports – professional, collegiate, and high school – for providing fun and thrilling entertainment.

Thankful the Chicago Bears only play the Green Bay Packers once on Sunday night. Listening to Al Michaels and Chris Colllinsworth slobber over Aaron Rodgers was like seeing two puppies lap-up their owner who’s just walked in from a long day at the office.

Attending a CSO concert is a glorious experience. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Thankful to have finally witnessed the wondrous, sensational Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Having recently attended for the second time, with plans to see the CSO several times in 2022, these concerts have become my “go to” big events, one of the few things pulling me into the city of Chicago these days.

Thankful for nature, notably at places such as Morton Arboretum, Chicago Botanical Garden, Garfield Park Conservatory, and my own backyard. Unquestionably, climate change negatively alters our one and only planet. However, the resilient Mother Nature still provides unparalleled beauty.

I am thankful Joe Biden is president. And that Democrats still believe in democracy and are trying to pass legislation that will make life better for more people.

Thankful Trump is not president. Thankfully, I am not Mike Pence the fake-Christian, world-class wuss.

I am thankful Chris Wallace, Liz Cheney, and Adam Kinzinger are demonstrating that all conservatives are not loco.

I am thankful to be reconnected in a profound, meaningful manner with my alma mater, Indiana University. Hoo, Hoo, Hoo, Hoosiers!

Early next year a significant number will be posted. (Photo credit Getty Images, used with permission by The Weekly Opine)

Thankful for cool neighbors, on both sides of me, across the street, and up-and-down the block. I live in an ethnically mixed neighborhood with some nice people. It’s a beautiful thing.

Thankful for food pantries and the people who tirelessly volunteer, and those who give, so that others can eat.

Thankful for the squirrels that romp around my backyard. When I moved to my house 18 years ago my go-to word, when I spotted a squirrel on the fence along my patio, was “scram!” Now, my go-to words are “hello, friend.”

I will be thankful if someone in charge at local news stations breaks the formulaic reporting of shootings/murders, carjackings, mobs breaking into businesses, etc. It is mind-numbing and obscures myriad good deeds that happen every day.

Thankful for this blog and its readers. The Weekly Opine helps keep my brain sharp and my typing skills intact. In February, article number two hundred will be posted so stay tuned.

I am thankful the shortest day of the year is next week. From that point forward the light at the tunnel’s end shines a little brighter each day.

Happy New Year!