beanside | Through the frost upon the window see the stockings on the hearth

Merry Christmas to all that celebrate! Happy Monday to the rest of you. I'm up unnecessarily early, but I had one of those nights where I just could not stay asleep. I don't know why. So, instead, at seven I got up and got myself a bagel and turned on a Yule Log video on Youtube which is quietly playing Holiday music in the background. I don't celebrate it religiously, but I do celebrate it as kind of an add on to Yule. We eat well and give presents, and generally enjoy the trappings of the season. I kind of view it as a festival of hope and light. The longest night is past, and now with a day of light and joy, we welcome hope into the world again.

Once we all are up, we'll exchange our gifts, and have breakfast, then get ourselves together to head to the hospital to visit dad. Then, it'll be back to put on the prime rib and sides, and a somewhat early dinner. After that, we have a game scheduled at 5pm for people who aren't visiting family or doing anything exciting.

Yesterday was pretty low key. I did very little in the morning, went searching for breakfast for this morning and got gas and then went to see Dad, then came home and played D&D.

Dad seemed a bit more perky, he was actually awake for a change. Weirdly, his white count, which had gone down spiked back up again, so they were getting blood and urine cultures while I was there, as well as another EKG. His white count is slightly down this morning, but still pretty high, so I have no clue. I talked to him while I was there, and he agreed that if they offered it, he would go to rehab and try to get stronger, so we'll see. I think it could benefit him, and I think it would be a lovely break for us. Even with one of us going to visit a day, it would be easier than full time care.

Okay, I have prepped my game for tonight and wrapped gifts and everything is good. Now I shall wait for other people to wake up ane begin the day. Everyone have the happiest of Mondays!

And as always.