HODGEPODGE DECEMBER 9

1. What do you think it means to have the holiday spirit? 

This year I just think nothing. We are in our second lockdown, and with all these sanitary rules there is no time for any holiday spirit. Only for the children for them Father Christmas will come even if it is through a Computer screen, but for us adults we are not even allowed to invite family. One guest per household ! Completely absurd ! 

2. What's one thing you've baked this month? Have you eaten the finished product? How much baking do you do around the holidays? What baked sweet something does your family insist is on the menu during this season of the year? 3. Your most recent 'half-baked' idea?

This question is quickly answered ! I have never baked a cake or cookies or whatever sweet in my whole life ! I loved to cook ! We went to a restaurant, I ate something which I didn't know and had never eaten and tried to copy the plate at home. Mostly it worked very well and my guinea pig (Mr. G) was very happy and proud ! But that was long ago ! When I started to paint in 1989 all my creativity went into painting and I lost all interest in cooking. I continued to cook because it was a necessity, but it became a real burden. 

4. Where were you the last time you 'baked' in the sun? The top ten sunniest destinations in the world (most sun from January-December according to this site) are Dubai, Bali Indonesia, Los Angeles CA, Miami FL, Barbados, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Mauritius, Antiqua, and the Canary Islands Spain. Have you been to any of the cities listed? Which one on the list appeals to you the most? If the world were not upside down crazy and you could lie on a beach anywhere right now where would you go? 

My anual winter home in Hurghada Egypt

  

Last time was two years ago in December and I "baked" on the sandy beach in front of the very blue sea in Hurghada in Egypt. Even in December there are high temperatures during the day around 30°C but you need a cardigan in the evenings . I went there each year always at the same time end November and I have got a free week as a gift, because it was the 10th time in this Hotel which became sort of winter refuge and home to me where I could my Vitamin D cure which my doctor had recommended.

I have been in Los Angeles, in Miami, and the Canary Islands I know by heart, we have been on all Islands many times. But no place is so sunny than in Egypt at the Red Sea ! It had never rained in all these years and when it rains it's just a few drops not longer then 10 min.

5. Today I wish I had more energy and better mood ! I am always tired from doing nothing and I am fed up of our second lockdown, which has such absurd rules ! I suspect the actual provisory prime minister to try to do an election campaign, he is more worried about his career then the people ! 

If the world would turn normal again, I would immediately return to Egypt, but only in winter until  May,  after these months it becomes far too hot ! 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I think I lost a year of my life ! I couldn't travel, I couldn't go to expositions, cinema, theatre, attend my painting class and my aqua gym etc. After the first lockdown we had a two or three month break where we moved which had been quite tiring at my vintage age, and when all was nearly finished the second lockdown started. 

Now we will have no Christmas, our son prefers not to come it's too complicated. For the second time since our son was born we are alone on Christmas. The first time he travelled around Australia, and now ! The worst is that I just feel nothing.  I don't care anymore. Christmas has always been a cheerful time but not this year. I decorated the living room but won't put up a tree. Christmas Eve will be like all other evenings, we will have supper watch a movie and go to bed. Father Christmas will not come this year and as there is no tree, he doesn't need to put something underneath !  

I think there will be a lot of lonely people in this case !