December is fraught with traditions… some mandatory and others optional. We readied for the imminent arrival of snow with shovels / salt / snowblower taking poll position on the back porch. Of course there is the bracing for life at school, where young minds veer to Santa, holidays, presents and busted routines. It’s not an easy time for a lot of kids! Speaking of kids… we would also see our annual pre-Xmas Lumsden Mafia gathering roll out as our gang assembled on the Eastern Shore for a couple of nights of fun & games. Such was December 2025 as we charted a course (mappings 😁) to the new year.
And hello snow days… I believe we landed three (3) of them in December, which is a rarity for sure. Although the school commitment gets interrupted, it should be understood that these rarely feel as though they are a break. I’ve come to enjoy snow removal with my friend, “Big Red”. Once I’ve got a track through our space, I cooperate with neighbors to clean up their yards and help everyone secure access to the road to town for work / necessities. By the time that occurs… we are into the afternoon. The shutdowns, however, did give students a much needed reprieve after a long first reporting period and December hi-jynx.
Travel… well, we continued to fine tune our excursion to the Balkans for the upcoming March Break. Flights and accommodations are purchased, so its down to attractions and final transportation requirements (airport transfers) and a couple of excursion packages (Day Trips) that can’t wait until we are on the ground. Visits include the cities of Sarajevo and Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Dubrovnik and Zagreb in Croatia, as well as a day trip to Kotor, Montenegro. It is all “uncharted” territory… the more we research the years between 1992-95 in this region, the more we begin to understand the devastation and sheer horror everyday people experienced. It’s a very “blended” visit, with gritty, work a day, faster paced capital cities mixed in with historic jewels along rivers and ocean.
Our annual “Pre-Christmas” gathering with the kids and their partners rolled out on the weekend before the 25th. This year’s locale… Head of Jeddore, out in Ms Lumsden’s stomping grounds on the Eastern Shore. Big, beautiful new build with all the amenities, including a wood fired hot tub. It took me almost an entire day of burning to get the thing warm enough for a soak! Great meals, fun and games, and lots of reconnecting that have become part of the holiday season for our family. The gathering has definitely become an important tradition as our gang get a little older and we creep towards retirement. The plan is to try and incorporate Buzz & Emily next year if we can secure a place large enough that we can still afford 🥴!
Speaking of that, we did a quick run with a few gifts and “Ham Dinner” to Canso on Christmas Eve. Monica, Janie and I made the morning trek over Rte 16 to see the folks. Everything was very good there, with a lively visit that included lots of chatter, sustenance and even a visit with Cousin Mike. Always nice to have a sit at home and get caught up with the latest! With Xmas wishes looked after we turned the Rav homeward in the PM to welcome Pete and head for Uncle Eric’s for Christmas Eve games!
Christmas Day saw the big breakfast (we have an Eggs Benedict tradition), a modest exchange of gifts, and check ins with family and friends. Then onward for a spontaneous visit with the MacKinnons / Eileen in Summerside. Despite some snow covered black top, we made good time and jumped into the pace of that busy household! Loved the evening music session with Pete that leached into the wee hours. Home again Boxing Day, for Christmas dinner with the gang and Game #1 of the World Juniors vs Czechia 🇨🇿! Our eyes will stay on this year’s team until end of tournament.
A “slower” set of days followed, as we hunkered down at 204 Cloverville with time focused on enjoying the kids until they made their way home. We basically didn’t venture far beyond the driveway until New Year’s Eve and celebrations at Eric and Brenda’s on the bluff! Food, drink, friends and WJr’s ruled the evening (big 7-4 W against the Finns). Big thanks for the invite, the awesome snacks that got stuffed in the cooler, and the adios to ’25 / ringing in of ’26. Cheers all…