Let’s Chat: Holiday to-do list

By Linda Tooth on December 27, 2023.

During this Holiday Season I have decided to take advantage of time off from work and do things I have been unable to accomplish in the last few months.

First on my list is no social media for a week. Continuous scrolling through Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and all online news sources has taken up so much of my time and it is mentally draining.

I need a break from all the negativity and must focus on positive vibes.

Next on my list is reading. Alexandra Potter is a great author and a favourite of mine so when I saw her book ‘confessions of a forty-something f##k up,’ I grabbed it.

What intrigued me most about this book is that the main character Nell has started a secret podcast and is friends with an 80-year-old widow. I am anxious to read this book and see how a podcast and a friendship with a senior have impacted her life.

I am also part of a podcast and I do love seniors so I think this will be a delightful read.

A new author brought to my attention recently is Maggie O’Farrell. I picked up her book ‘The Marriage Portrait’ at the Redcliff Public Library and am anxious to dive into life in 1500s Florence.

I am taking on the role of a student in January and have enrolled in a gender studies course at the college. The textbook for this course is ‘The Gendered Society’ by Kimmel and Holler and I will start reading the first few chapters. It will be a unique experience being the student and not the instructor.

I will also be watching holiday movies on Netflix and Disney+ and NFL football on TSN during the holidays.

Baking is also on my list. Since COVID, I have discovered a love of baking cookies and loaves. Cookies with maraschino cherries and chocolate chips, cookies with mint chocolate chips, loaves with bananas and chocolate chips, as well as loaves with blue cheese are a favourite with me and my family.

Lastly, I will be catching up on the daily crossword puzzles and Saturday’s WonderWords from the Medicine Hat News. I was beyond thrilled when I opened the paper today and the Christmas Crossword two-page puzzle was there.

My kitchen table and the table at Timmie’s will be home to this massive puzzle. My mom used to love doing the daily crosswords and this is my way of keeping her memory alive in me, especially during this time of year.

I must also include the community cats that I will be feeding more frequently during the Holiday Season. Thankfully, the weather has been unseasonably warm and they have been able to enjoy life living in their colonies.

I hope everyone has the chance to do things that will make them happy during the holidays. Please remember to be kind to people. Thank you for reading my article. It does make me happy.

Linda Tooth is a communications instructor at Medicine Hat College

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