It’s already been four days without a post. That’s what happens when real life catches up with you. Combine that with a bout of writer's block, a nasty cold dragging me down, and the nagging suspicion that nobody really cares what I write anyway unless it’s specifically about Hive (well, most people, at least)... and it becomes very difficult to find the motivation to hit 'publish'.
The year is rapidly coming to an end. Just two more working days left, and then a week full of festivities begins. But I already know that this year will be different from others.
Christmas Eve is traditionally celebrated at my parents' house. Even last year, I had the feeling that hosting was slowly becoming too heavy a burden for them. But Mom insisted on not having that taken away from her just yet, so we left it as it was.
This year, however, it will be without Dad. He is currently in the hospital battling infections in his blood and other parts of his body. We had to rush him there yesterday after his legs just wouldn't cooperate anymore. It’s frightening how, the older people get, the more unpredictably the body reacts to infections.
So, instead of just relaxing, the coming week will mean daily visits to the hospital.
Amidst the worry, life goes on. Yesterday we realized that New Year's Eve—which we are hosting at our place this year—will bring some extra guests. A couple we are friends with saw their own NYE plans fall through, so we offered that they could come and celebrate with us. Yesterday we heard back that they would love to take us up on the offer.
So, that means some extra organizing. My wife is working until about 4 PM on the 31st, so I will have to do my best to get as much prep work done as possible beforehand.
We are happy to do it, though, and it will probably be a wonderful evening. Now we just have to decide what to serve. The first thought was a winter BBQ, but the weather here is far too unpredictable for that. Next idea: a big oven roast. But in the end, we’ll probably fall back on what most people do here: "steengrillen" (stone grilling, similar to gourmetten or raclette). It's social and easy.
Time will tell,
Peter