BITTERSWEET DOWN UNDER
I cannot prove it but I swear that time is not linear. There is a big singularity in the fabric of time, at least in mine, and it is called Christmas. July and August days go by nonchalantly and relaxed, made of holidays and pub lunches in the sun. Then September 1st hits to remind me that Christmas is a mere 16 weeks away. And as much I try to hold onto the warm weather to justify my denial, the signs are everywhere: ramping up of export orders in the atelier, double and weekend shifts, the return of temporary staff I had not seen for 6 months. Yes the C word I avoid speaking of is coming around again fast and furious. I feel like the cartoon coyote catching up with roadrunner only to discover it ran past a cliff. It taps the empty space under its paws before the inevitable fall. Sigh.
Whereas most people look forward to Christmas, I dread it. I don't buy a tree or put up decorations. I don't hang under the mistletoe and, apart from chocolates, I don't eat traditional Christmas food - at least saving one turkey from an early death. In fact I usually spend my Christmas day traveling to a country that does not celebrate it (think empty flights!), volunteering to help those who have little to rejoice or absorbed in a book eating my favorite "cheat" food including pizza and peanut butter ice cream (not together usually unless it has been a really tough year).
Whereas most people look forward to Christmas, I dread it. I don't buy a tree or put up decorations. I don't hang under the mistletoe and, apart from chocolates, I don't eat traditional Christmas food - at least saving one turkey from an early death. In fact I usually spend my Christmas day traveling to a country that does not celebrate it (think empty flights!), volunteering to help those who have little to rejoice or absorbed in a book eating my favorite "cheat" food including pizza and peanut butter ice cream (not together usually unless it has been a really tough year).
AND OF COURSE I WILL TREAT MYSELF TO A BIG BOX OF ARTISAN DU CHOCOLAT CHOCOLATES OR TWO TO ENJOY FOR PURE PLEASURE SAKE INSTEAD OF MY DAILY QUALITY TASTING PANEL REQUIREMENTS.
Some sweetness in my bittersweet Christmas as my fiance had the very bad idea to die a few days before Christmas 5 years ago. Still, on this dreaded September 1st day, the start of a slippery slope to Christmas, our chocolates from our beloved salted caramels to honeycomb and orangettes are heading down under to top 18 David Jones' stores.And that is a reason to celebrate: the beginning of a new chocolate Aussie adventure and the adventure of life - always sweeter with chocolate. I just wished I could have hand delivered those precious chocolates! Miss Anne x