Author Archives: mathdreads
Christmas Dinner Party in the Suburbs
On Monday before Christmas Day, I gifted my family the nonmaterialistic event I’d written, directed and produced. I even hired a performer to help bring the event to life. https://vimeo.com/user122780576/download/1042690204/0a7e7c8674
Working the Eves*
The biggest gift I gave myself was end-of-the-year PTO. Last year was the first time since resigning as a classroom teacher that I had a paid Christmas/Kwanzaa/New Year’s vacation. I wanted to recreate that luxury of vacation time this year. Last year, Christmas was on a Monday, so there was no issue about working either … Continue reading
Reluctant Christmas Event Producer
Continuing my newfound tradition of non materialistic Christmas gifts for my family, I brainstormed what to do before Thanksgiving. The coordination of anything I plan always has several parameters, which greatly narrow down my choice of activities. So, I’m not overwhelmed by many possibilities, but threading the needle proves to be very challenging. The first … Continue reading
Baking It Easy
As usual, too many leftovers, including leftover ingredients after Thanksgiving. For the second year in a row, I had too much cream cheese frosting after dressing my red velvet cupcakes. Last year I made cream cheese frosting cookies, which were OK, but I wanted to go a different route this year. First thing that came … Continue reading
Thanksgiving, Again?!
Even though Halloween is my favorite holiday and I dressed up at least four different times this year, somehow, Thanksgiving snuck up on me. I bought all the ingredients to make, what I thought would be an annual tradition, Naturally-Dyed Red Velvet Cupcakes. The cupcakes turned out delicious, but there was absolutely no joy in … Continue reading
Washing Garbage
In my latest attempt to go greener, I bought a pair of blue recycling bins with handles, one for the kitchen and one for my bedroom. Previously, Mom had used a white TRASH BAG-LINED tall kitchen receptacle to put our recycling in. Whenever it was full, she’d close up the bag and toss it in … Continue reading
Friendsgiving Wood Memorial Style
Over the years, I’ve attended many Friendsgivings since I’d lived apart from my family for many years where I didn’t travel back home for Thanksgiving. Sometimes, those events were also called “Orphans’ Thanksgiving,” in which case, the adults who attended weren’t traveling to be with their relatives for the holiday. In all those years, I’d … Continue reading
2024 Election Prep
Months ago, a friend had recommended a tequila brand to me. I figured the impending presidential race, along with all the other elections that were advertised ad nauseum on many different outlets, warranted trying that suggestion. I told people whether it was for celebration or consolation, I’d have it on the ready. I bought a … Continue reading
Harley’s Halloween
For this year’s Halloween season, I graced several scenes with my best Harley Quinn impression, complete with glitter lips. My sister convinced me to buy the bat. First of all, I usually wouldn’t have spent that much on a prop. But she was threatening to buy it for me if I didn’t. Normally, I would’ve … Continue reading
At Least I Bought Stamps
Early voting in NC occurred on the third Thursday prior to election day. I took that day off, just to show how serious I was. I’d planned to stop by the post office to pick up stamps and then park at the rec center, which was just next door, to vote. As I pulled up … Continue reading