Happy Day After Christmas
The Day After is an odd phrase. It can imply the start of something new, or the letdown after something exciting. I remember a 1983 television movie called The Day After where the answer to "after what?" was "the launch of nuclear missiles."
The Day After Christmas might mean eating leftovers and cleaning up the detritus of the celebration, heading out to return unwanted gifts and spend your new gift cards, or simply a return to work. The last is where I find myself.
This has been an odd December. Usually, December is a slow month, with everyone taking a breath before the new year begins. Not this year. I have looming deadlines, with new projects starting in January.
I'll spend the next few days editing the translation of a knitting book originally published in Norwegian. The language translation has already been done. My job is to make sure the meaning of the knitting instructions will be clear to English-speaking knitters. It's an interesting challenge, and one that requires focused attention. Since most of my clients are taking time off this week, I'll have a precious few quiet days to immerse myself in this project.
I've read that some people refer to the week between Christmas and New Year's Day as the dead week. With so many people taking time off work for holiday celebrations (or to use up their remaining vacation days), nothing much is expected from those of us who are working. The phone won't ring, emails will be few, and no one will be looking for a quick response to any inquiry.
Whatever the week to come holds for you, I wish you safe travels, calm contentment, and a very Happy New Year!
Some things that caught my eye…
I have a new favorite audiobook version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Unlike most, this is entirely unabridged. Every wonderfully Victorian word Dickens wrote is voiced by none other than Hugh Grant. If you have an Audible subscription, you can pick up this audiobook for free (no credits needed).
For a holiday Hugh Grant double feature (and who doesn't like the sound of that?), pair this audiobook with the film Love Actually.My friend Kristin Nicholas included a link to this video in her newsletter. That led me down a rabbit hole exploring the work of animation artist Andrea Love, who specializes in stop motion animation with needle-felted wool. Enjoy!
Thank you for spending a few moments with me this week. I know there are never-ending demands for your attention, and I never take it for granted.
How will you be spending the time between now and New Year’s Day? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
I'm trying very hard to finish a poncho--or will it end up a throw??-- I started probably 5 years ago or so. I love the colors & the yarn, but this part of the pattern is really challenging. I'm determined to finish it so as to actually wear it this winter + I really want to be able to justify in my mind buying more yarn to start a sweater at a spinning/knitting retreat I'm going to later in January. Not reading at all as I concentrate on each row--each one is different--so Christmas music & a background football game yesterday were perfect. Otherwise, phone calls with kids, cooking a turkey with trimmings, lovely time with my partner--nice, restful time between holidays. I hope you're enjoying the work, as well as time with fewer interruptions.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were lovely. Centered around quiet time with family and friends. Lots of stories…Food was simple.😊 All were different ways from celebrating in the past. That’s OK☺️
I am in the middle of The Women - excellent- and ready to start knitting an emotional support chicken 😆 Listened to Small Things Like These. A good Christmas listen.
Thank you for taking the time to write.