Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

In early November, I published a list of holiday things that I’d like to do this year. My plans were unexpectedly derailed when I learned that my 13 year-old dog has cancer. In fact, just today he had surgery to remove the growth and will spend the next two weeks recuperating. So my holiday things-to-do time frame ended last night. I do plan to resume after his stitches are out in two weeks. On December 24.

The great news is that he is festively recovering from a successful surgery. Best gift of all.

I have had some festive times.

Accomplished:

Kennywood Holiday Lights – this was nice. The lights were festive, our nephews were adorable and it brought back some nice memories watching the lights flicker while the scent of sulphur wafted over from the steel mill. On the other hand, it was damn cold and everything was very outside so we lasted two hours. If you wear warm socks & like a little riverside wind whipping through your hair, it is something you should definitely do.

Not Accomplished (Yet):

Trains – we are still planning to go the Carnegie Science Center after Christmas Day. We did see a train display at Kennywood which was sweet, but not quite the same thing.

Nationality Rooms – this is also on our post-Christmas Day list.

Renaissance City Choir Concert – I bought two tickets, but we can’t leave Xander alone. So Ledcat will be attending with a friend.

A Christmas Carol – reading in progress. One advantage of dog-care is that I’ll probably get this one done.

The Putz House – the house is ready to come out when the tree is up. I hope we can get the tree up this weekend.

Up For Grabs

Christmas Cookies – my plan is to bake on Sunday, but the tree has to be purchased on Sunday so that might be a problem. However, I do have a great plan B in that I can purchase someone else’s baked goods, right?

Not Accomplished & Unlikely To Make It This Year:

Use the Good China – I’m pretty sure this won’t happen especially since we don’t actually have a set in our home. Ah well …

Feast of the Seven Fishes – since this is the day of stitch removal, I can’t imagine we’ll manage this year. It is good to have something to look forward to in 2015.

Tour Historic Churches – scheduling got the best of us on this, but those churches aren’t going anywhere, right?

Bonus Experiences

Helping isolated LGBTQ elders get Christmas cards via Persad Center – I got to do a little holiday spirit work by pestering people to send Christmas cards to three local gay men who are a little isolated and working with the SAGE project. Pestering is my word, but I was thrilled that people responded! Ledcat sez that I can’t go a single holiday season without a project of some type. I guess she’s right.

It’s a Wonderful Life a la Midnight Radio – we had the chance to catch a radio-esque version of this holiday classic at the Bricolage Theater and it was terrific. Just the thing to infuse some hope and optimism into the season.

Belsnickel and Winter Folklore Exhibit at Most Wanted Fine Art – this was FUN, an exhibit of winter folklore characters including Belsnickel.

Elf on the Shelf – We also added Elf on the Shelf to our family tradition. Creepy, but fun. Where is that little dude anyway?

I Made It! Market & Handmade Arcade – we were able to attend both craft events and had all sorts of crafty success with our shopping lists.